PRESIDENT'S OFFICE OF EDUCATION OUTREACH

Community And Governmental Affairs

Mission and Philosophy

The Office of Community and Governmental Affairs engages the college with communities in the Boston area by facilitating programs and partnerships with municipal agencies, public schools, and neighborhood-based organizations.

This work is based on the principle that institutions of higher education realize their greatest potential when they serve as fully committed members of the local community. Aligned with the college's philosophy of encouraging our students to appreciate and apply music's enormous force for the enrichment of society and intercultural understanding, the Office of Community and Governmental Affairs (OC&GA) is the laboratory where students test these ideas and put theory into practice. OC&GA programs take students into the field where knowledge becomes understanding and musicians become leaders.

Photo by Laurel Kilbourn

Supporting College Programs

Every OC&GA initiative supports other academic and non-academic programs of the college. Several serve as conduits to recruit local youth to receive scholarships to Berklee's award-winning City Music programs. Others provide professional development for students and build attendance for on-campus performances, lectures, and special events. Still others extend the reach of offices such as Cultural Diversity, Africana Studies, and the Performance Division.

Photo by Laurel Kilbourn

Community Service Work-Study Program

The Community Service Work-Study Program is the college's most highly engaging student-centered outreach initiative. OC&GA developed this program in collaboration with the Office of Scholarships and Student Employment to provide meaningful off-campus employment. Students gain valuable professional experience and educational enrichment while earning much-needed income. Partner organizations also benefit via the staff time and transfer of skills that occurs between student employees and community members participating in the on-site programs.


Photos by Laurel Kilbourn

Urban Outreach Performance Program

Through the Urban Outreach Performance Program, OC&GA collaborates with the Ensemble Department and the Performance Division to bring educational concerts to local public schools and community centers. Performances are designed to stimulate interest in the study of music; encourage local youth to consider higher education; and inform them about opportunities to enroll in City Music, the college's award-winning youth programs. Participating Berklee students work closely with faculty to experiment with repertoire, sharpen performance skills, and prepare for careers as professional musicians.


Photo by Phil Farnsworth	Photo by Laurel Kilbourn

Community Concert Series

The Community Concert Series has two components designed to create public access to professional musical performances. First, Berklee collaborates with community agencies and the City of Boston to produce concerts in neighborhood parks and other free public venues. The college also donates tickets to public schools, neighborhood residents, and nonprofit organizations for performances at the renowned Berklee Performance Center, Cafe 939, and other campus venues.


Photos By Laurel Kilbourn

Community Grant Program

The Community Grant Program opens Berklee's doors to organizations dedicated to providing public service through the arts. In-kind grants are awarded to subsidize rental fees, enabling recipient organizations to hold events at Berklee's world-class venues such as the Berklee Performance Center, Cafe 939, and the David Friend Recital Hall.

Photos By Phil Farnsworth

Berklee Instrument and Equipment Donation Program

The Berklee Instrument and Equipment Donation Program provides high-quality computer hardware, musical instruments, and production equipment to the music education programs of public schools and partner organizations. To maximize community impact, donations are most frequently made to sites where Berklee work-study employees, faculty, and alumni serve in outreach positions.

Photo by Laurel Kilbourn

Public Service Through Music Club

The Public Service through Music Club facilitates student, faculty, staff, and alumni volunteer initiatives that feature music as a medium for social change. Volunteers collaborate with partner organizations to conduct a broad range of activities including youth mentorship, performance outreach, and musical instruction.

Photo by Laurel Kilbourn

Photo by Phil Farnsworth

Neighborhood Relations

In addition to facilitating community building and youth enrichment programs throughout the Boston area, OC&GA manages various relationships with the City of Boston and residents of the Fenway and Back Bay. This work reflects the commitment to actively serve as a resource for the well-being of the neighborhood Berklee calls home.

Photo by Laurel Kilbourn

Partner Organizations

Berklee's roster of partners is extensive. It includes ACT Roxbury; BOSE Corporation; Boston Center for the Arts; Boston Centers for Youth & Families; Boston Parks & Recreation Department; Boston Public Schools; Boys & Girls Clubs; Cambridge Public Schools; Fenway Alliance; Fenway CDC; Fenway Civic Association; Hyde Square Task Force; IBA; Mayor's Office of Arts, Tourism & Special Events; Museum of Fine Arts; Music & Youth Initiative; Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay; and Sociedad Latina.