Unleashing the Artistic Dreams of Youth and Creating Awareness through the Arts
Award winning results
Lindsey was a big sister at the Bloomington Boys and Girls Club while she was a student at Indiana University Bloomington; the club is one of our arts partners and has done great things with the grant the foundation provides. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington Lindsey O’Brien Kesling Performing Arts Program (LOKPAP) received a 2013 Merit Award for Program Excellence in the Arts from Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).
LOKPAP provides vibrant monthly performances by professional and student performing artists to three local Clubs, classes and workshops in choir, violin, drama, improv comedy and dance, as well as scholarships for top participants to go to advanced performing arts camps or classes. Past performances have included Bernard Woma, master of the Ghanaian Xylophone, with his Saakumu Dance Troupe and the entire IU Jacob’s School of Music Singing Hoosiers.
Success Stories
Program Alumni Blossoms into Community Leadership Role
When 9-year old Charlie Brown came to the Bloomington Boys and Girls Club, he was rather quiet and reserved. Through his participation in the Lindsey O'Brien Kesling (LOK) Performing Arts Program, he learned to play the violin. His passion and hard work to music earned him a scholarship and he went on to take private lessons.
Now 16 years old, Charlie continues to support the organization that supported him by participating in our annual carbon monoxide awareness events as a youth community advocate.
He credits the award-winning LOKPAP program's music and leadership opportunities with making him the confident young man he has become today.
Our Partners in the Arts
Youth and arts organizations are the branches of our “tree” that reach into communities where success stories blossom. In our short history, we have formed powerful alliances with organizations such as The Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington, Lubeznik Center for the Arts and the South Shore Dance Alliance. We look forward to forging new partnerships with organizations who share our mission: supporting young people in achieving their highest potential, unleashing their talents and acting upon their dreams through a wide variety of creative and performing arts opportunities.
The Young Artist Expo
The annual Young Artist Expo is the culmination of the year’s efforts in bolstering the artistic pursuits of our program participants.
Bridging Our Dual Mission
Since 2010 we have been weaving the threads of our dual mission in a pattern that is organic and ever evolving into a tapestry of work that is, in itelf, a thing of great beauty. How have we raised awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide and provided arts opportunities for youth along the way? You might be surprised! Please visit this page to see some examples we are very proud of.