PK B.A.Y.: Poughkeepsie's First Youth Arts Leadership Board Launches with "Portal" Public Art Sculpture

August 24, 2024 - The Poughkeepsie Board of Artistic Youth (PK B.A.Y.) has established itself as a groundbreaking model for youth civic engagement in the city, bringing together 21 teen leaders ages 14-18 from across five local youth-serving organizations to amplify young voices in community decision-making through public art. Facilitated by the Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet with support from the Wallace Foundation, this first-of-its-kind initiative in Poughkeepsie uses creative expression as a vehicle for fostering youth leadership and building meaningful connections between young people and community development.

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the unveiling of "Portal", the public art sculpture created by PK B.A.Y. youth participants in collaboration with local artist Lala Montoya

PK B.A.Y. represents a coalition approach to youth engagement, with participants drawn from The Art Effect, Family Services, Community Matters 2, Boys & Girls Club, and Nubian Directions II. Throughout the year-long program, all youth received stipends for their work along with guidance, mentorship, and technical support from The Art Effect staff. The board's mission, as described by the youth themselves, centers on "making a difference is hard, but it is possible," "inspiring and helping the community," and "helping youth make a change." The initiative intentionally positions young people not as passive recipients of services but as active contributors to shaping Poughkeepsie's future, with their perspectives informing community planning and placemaking efforts.

The board's inaugural project culminated on August 23rd with the unveiling of "Portal," a public art sculpture at Pulaski Park created in collaboration with local artist Lala Montoya. The sculpture transforms unused light posts into a symbolic gateway to the future of Poughkeepsie as imagined by the city's youth, honoring the past and present while committing to a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow. The artwork incorporates language justice principles, ensuring all text appears in English, Spanish, and other relevant languages to reflect and welcome Poughkeepsie's diverse immigrant communities. As PK B.A.Y. member Bea Alarcon-Aquino shared, "I hope this project helps encourage more people to make a difference in the community. The Portal helps inspire the youth to create their own mark on Poughkeepsie." The project represents the early stages of the Youth Arts Empowerment Zone, a long-term vision to establish a youth arts district along Main Street with ongoing youth-driven placemaking initiatives.

Watch the video below about PK B.A.Y. and the "Portal" project.