 mention of Denella'a appointment in its Massachusetts Playbook section here: 

Denella Clark Sworn in as Chairwoman of Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women

, a day to give back to Boston Arts Academy, a school that ensures opportunity is present where talent exists.

Your donations allow Boston Arts Academy Foundation to fund people and programs that help BAA students, like Seyquan Mack, 

Seyquan Mack (BAA ’16) joined BAA with a talent for singing R&B. Through BAA’s curriculum, he got exposure to other styles of music and discovered his passion for classical music, to which he had not been introduced before. He asked to pursue summer training. He trained at Tanglewood and in Italy. It expanded his world and lifted the engagement of all the students in his cohort, who began to show increased interest in classical music. Seyquan went on to attend Oberlin Conservatory, one of the most premiere colleges for the arts in the nation, on a full scholarship. He’s now a professional opera singer.

Your donations fund summer programs that helped to make Seyquan’s dream a reality. Seyquan’s higher education and professional success would not be possible without BAA and donors like you.

So, are you in?! We are hosting group competitions, where we'll offer a chance to win a prize. 

Visit our campaign page to learn more and participate

Learn more about BAAF's Giving Tuesday  campaign

Now is the time to make an impact. Donations of all sizes are appreciated.

Thanks to a generous group of donors, every dollar donated will be matched 1:1! With your

November 30 Is Giving Tuesday. Let's #GiveBAAck

DENELLA CLARK, Hyde Park resident and President and CEO of Boston Arts Academy (BAA) Foundation, will be recognized by City of Boston’s Mayor Kim Janey with a proclamation as the first Black woman to chair the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women in its history. Chairwoman Clark was first appointed to the Commission in 2015 and reappointed in 2018 by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. 

"I was pleased to appoint Denella Clark to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women as she has a proven track record of working tirelessly to promote women and people of color across the Commonwealth," said Governor Charlie Baker. "Congratulations to Denella on this proclamation as we honor the first Black woman to serve as Chair of the Commission, I look forward to seeing her continued work on behalf of all women and girls in Massachusetts."

Chairwoman Clark currently serves as President and CEO of Boston Arts Academy Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that secures essential private funding that supports Boston Arts Academy, the city’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts. Eighty-four percent of the school’s 480 students identify as Black or Latinx, most students come from low-income families. For seven straight years, 97% of graduating students have been accepted to college, many becoming first-generation college graduates. More than 1,700 of Boston Arts Academy’s diverse and talented alumni are innovating and leading in a variety of careers in Greater Boston and beyond. In 2022, Ms. Clark, Boston Arts Academy Foundation, and the school will celebrate the grand opening of Boston Arts Academy’s first state-of-the-art school building directly across the street from Fenway Park. 

Chairwoman Clark shares, “While talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. Mayor Janey and I share a fierce dedication to the fight for equity and justice, including breaking opportunity barriers in education, housing, economic justice, police accountability, and public safety. I gratefully accept this recognition from my dear friend, who proudly serves as the first Black female mayor in the city of Boston.”

"The City of Boston is honored to recognize Denella Clark as the first Black Chairwomen of MCSW," said Boston Mayor Kim Janey. "Denella is steadfast in her dedication to justice, representation, and inclusion for all Boston residents. Her efforts and this well-deserved recognition are a reminder of the value of diversity in leadership." 

The proclamation presentation is set to take place at the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s Full Commission meeting held on Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 5:00-5:30pm. Community members and partner organizations are strongly encouraged to attend. Please register using the link: https://bit.ly/3lG0so4. 

For more information, please email mcsw@mass.gov or visit www.mass/gov/women. 

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is an independent state agency that was legislatively created in 1998 to advance women of the Commonwealth to full equality in all areas of life and to promote their rights and opportunities. The MCSW provides a permanent, effective voice for the women of Massachusetts.

Denella Clark Recognized as the First Black Woman to Chair the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women

we are excited to welcome you back as we kick off the Boston Arts Academy school year 2021/2022!

 As students return to campus, I am excited to bring you updates from the school and Boston Arts Academy Foundation.

Since the Class of 2021 Commencement in June, we’ve seen critical arts, math, and intensive reading programs continue at BAA over the summer, aiding in our mission to build equity in education. We are pleased to welcome 495 students (in person!) into the halls and classrooms of Boston Arts Academy—in its temporary location at 11 Charles Street in Dorchester—all ready to learn, grow, create, and inspire. As Head of School Anne R. Clark has said, "Boston Arts Academy is a school where talented young artists have opportunities to develop as creators, scholars, and changemakers." We cannot wait to see everything they discover and accomplish this year!

While the school year is just beginning, the work is year-round. We couldn’t do it without your support! Donors like you make a big difference in the lives of our students. Boston Arts Academy Foundation is proud to work with friends like you to bridge the multimillion annual gap between the school's allocation from Boston Public Schools and the true cost of an arts-intensive and college preparatory curriculum.

As we welcome the new Class of 2025, we invite you to

to support BAA’s growing student body. 

BAAck to School

I’m thrilled to have joined Boston Arts Academy Foundation as Director of Individual Giving and Advisory Council Liaison!

I have always loved the arts. My great uncle is the Dutch seascape painter Hendrik Willem Mesdag, whose artwork is displayed in the Louvre and the Rijksmuseum. When I first saw a Jackson Pollock painting in New York City, I began to appreciate the historical context of his modern masterpieces, the way his artistic creations spoke to the times and development of artistic technique, and how his work continues to impact the creation and dialogue of art to this day.

After earning my bachelor’s degree in Art History and Psychology from Williams College and master’s degree in History of Art and the Art Market from Christie’s Education in New York City, I worked in development, fundraising, client relations, and donor engagement, and most recently in leadership giving and engagement at the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston.

Now, at Boston Arts Academy Foundation, I am excited about starting at the root of the talent, the root of the artistic creation. I love Boston, its culture, and its focus on education and civic engagement.

This is an exciting time, as we look forward to the opening of the new Boston Arts Academy school building in 2022 and work together to fund the life-changing arts education and opportunities that the school’s diverse and talented students need and deserve.

I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss BAA Foundation goals as we continue to work to meet the revenue needs of BAA and its students. Feel free to call me at (617) 510-0582, or email me at 

Director of Individual Giving and Advisory Council Liaison

News

Denella Clark Sworn in as Chairwoman of Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women

November 30 Is Giving Tuesday. Let's #GiveBAAck

Denella Clark Recognized as the First Black Woman to Chair the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women

BAAck to School

Meet Grace Baljon!

Boston Arts Academy's New Building Will Help Further School's Mission

Talent is evenly distributed in society, but not opportunity. Help us change that reality in Boston.

Donate