Firehouse Community Arts Center

As an approved strategic partner of the birmingham city schools and the avondale elementary pta, the firehouse offered intersession music education programs and an after-school music club for 4th and 5th grade students at avondale elementary. Using an interest-based approach, firehouse teaching artists taught groups of up to 25 students guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. Participants chose and performed songs as a group at three school assemblies. The program aims to promote confidence, to create positive behaviors, to improve student success, and to increase awareness of the firehouse's programs and scholarships.

The firehouse partnered with knowledge, rhythm, and understanding (kru), a nonprofit hip hop education program to host more than 25 after-school pizza parties. During each session, the firehouse and kru welcomed young people and families from avondale and surrounding areas to learn the core elements of hip hop: rapping and lyric-writing, beat-making, and break dancing. Additionally, participants had access to learn and explore guitar, bass, and drums under the guidance of firehouse teaching artists. Post office pies and davenport's provided pizza, and buffalo rock bottling co provided the drinks. This program was supported in part by the alabama state council on the arts.