Out-of-School Programs

In partnership with Think DēP Entertainment, PACC:ASAP is an entertainment industry arts intensive designed to bridge the gap between legends and legacies. Highly credited industry veterans — with credits spanning Beyoncé, Netflix, Disney, Jennifer Lopez, and more — mentor talented youth ages 12–17 through week-long creative training sessions in music production, acting, fashion design, content creation, dance, and more. Each session culminates in a professionally developed showcase open to the community.

Geared toward upper elementary students, DREAM Academy participants explore and create local approaches to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Using the creative process, students build visual arts pieces to bring awareness to key social issues — developing the skills to think globally and act locally.

Developed in partnership with Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Mumu Fresh, this music education program serves middle- and high-school-aged youth. Participants learn the art of songwriting, explore the influence of music and sound on society, and produce their own fully recorded songs about social topics that matter to them. Each cohort celebrates their work at a listening party for participants and their invited guests.

The Southern Maryland Youth Poet Laureate program is a local-level poetry competition that qualifies young people to compete and be recognized at the regional and national level through the National Youth Poet Laureate program. This initiative celebrates youth poets committed to artistic excellence, civic engagement, and social impact. The 2021 presidential inaugural poet — the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate — hailed from this program.

The Arts District SOMD is a growing community of artists and arts organizations across Charles, St. Mary's, and Calvert Counties working together to mobilize, advocate, collaborate, and create. Through digital connection and in-person gatherings, the Collective is building the infrastructure for a thriving creative economy in Southern Maryland — increasing awareness, patronization, and resources for artists and cultural organizations across the region.

PISOTA is Charles County's first community-founded public charter school, proudly operating in deep partnership with Charles County Public Schools. Located in La Plata, Maryland, PISOTA serves 250+ middle school students in grades 6–8 through a model that integrates rigorous academics with daily arts education.