Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center, the hub for arts education and instruction in the Northeast Bronx, today announced the return of its Open House Street Festival - now in its fourth year - to usher in its new 2021-2022 season. Signaling the return to its in-person programs and offerings, this community celebration is free and open to all and will include indoor and outdoor activities onsite at Mind-Builders’ (3415 Olinville Avenue - Bronx, NY) on Saturday, September 18th from 10 AM – 4 PM.

This year’s Open House Street Festival will feature special performances from the organization’s Dance Ensemble, Music Ensemble and karate students kicked off by a Second Line parade and guest MC Heavyn. Interactive offerings include a talent contest where the audience will choose the winners, games for the whole family and demo classes for martial arts, Zumba©, and yoga on the Festival’s Mainstage. Additionally, visitors can tour Mind-Builders’ recently renovated state-of-the-art facility and its extensive African Arts Collection as well as learn about registration and scholarships opportunities.

 

Since its inception in 1978, Mind-Builders has developed a unique peer-supported learning culture that is a critical resource for local youth with few other options for cultural enrichment. Instruction is offered in music (drums, piano, keyboard, brass instruments, voice, etc.) and dance (ballet, hip hop, modern, African, tap, Zumba©). Some of the institution’s programs include: the Positive Youth Troupe (PYT) theater company; the Community Folk Culture program which enjoys an ongoing partnership with the Smithsonian; the Arts Passage XPress for teens and young adults; an arts-based Universal Pre-K program; an intergenerational orchestra and the African Art Docent project.  Classes for the 2021- 2022 Season begin on October 5 with more than fifty classes offered weekly.

 

Mind-Builders Fourth Annual Open House Street Festival Schedule

10:00 am - 12:30 pm - Building and African Art Tours (Inside)
10:15 am -1:30 pm  - Sample Classes in Dance, Music, Martial arts (Inside & Outdoors)

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Demo Classes & Student Performances (Outdoors)

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Talent Contest/Cash Prizes (Outdoors)

To address the threat of COVID-19 and manage the risk of transmission, Mind-Builders requires that all guests follow new safety protocols as per the “Key to the City” mandate.  For indoor tours masks and, for those ages 12 and older, proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and ID are required, health screening, social distancing of 6-feet will be maintained, and hand sanitizer is provided at the entrance. 

ABOUT MIND-BUILDERS
Established in 1978, Mind-Builders is a pioneering nonprofit founded by educator and scholar Madaha Kinsey-Lamb to bring arts instruction and education to the Northeast Bronx, inspiring the growth of generations of local youth and families through high-quality arts programming. Mind-Builders brings together best practices in arts education, youth development, and community engagement in the belief that a healthy community is a vital ingredient toward healthy development. Program alumni include Alimi Ballard, Gilbert Glenn Brown, Ayodele Casel, Charles Malik Whitfield, and Victoria Gabrielle Platt, among others. 

Mind-Builders Fourth Annual Open House Street Festival is sponsored by AssuredPartners, Marble Fairbanks Architects and New York State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie.
 

Mind-Builders' programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Coalition of Theaters of Color, the Cultural Immigrant Initiative, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, New York State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, the New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, and New York City Council Members Eric Dinowitz, Vanessa Gibson, Kevin Riley and the Bronx Delegation, New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Private support is provided by the following foundations: Altman Foundation, Apple Inc., Barker Welfare Foundation, Booth Ferris Foundation, The Bronx Community Foundation, Con Edison, Inc; D'Addario Foundation, The Durst Family Foundation, The ELMA Music Foundation, Fenger Family Fund, Granby's Funeral Services, Inc., Jean & Louis Dreyfus Foundation, Laurie M. Tisch Innovation Fund, LLL Foundation, Mosaic Network and Fund in the New York Community Trust, Sarita Kenedy East Foundation, The New Yankee Stadium Community Benefits Fund, The Pierre and Tiana Matisse Foundation, The Pinkerton Foundation; Wasily Family Foundation; William Talbott Hillman Foundation, Friends of Mind-Builders and donors like you.