COVID-19 Impact

COVID-19 has brutally affected many around the world. BBB4E is no exception. With the mandatory closing of schools and businesses, all spring and summer classes, performances, and events had to be canceled. This continued throughout the year with classes in the fall of 2020 moving to a virtual space which remained constant for the academic year 2020-2021. Despite our best efforts in moving to virtual classes and pursuing grants, the loss of revenue remains.

Our education model focused on an enrollment of 25-100 students to be able to learn at the time. Our student body represented 106 students from 29 different zip codes and 30 different schools. Under COVID and virtual learning, we have had to drastically reduce class sizes and postpone some classes until we can meet again in person. Canceling programs, refunding tuition, renegotiating contracts, switching teach staff to a virtual format, and moving staff to home-office environments resulted in considerable administrative costs and little economic relief. Virtual performances do not offer the unique opportunities provided by the live stage, but we wanted to keep our students engaged and continue our mission of offering them an artistic haven in which to grow and learn.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, BBB4E is working harder than ever to find opportunities to keep our students engaged and share the arts with our community. Forging these new paths take time and resources that will be well worth the investment. Our youth now more than ever, will benefit from additional excellent, educational resources. Their involvement in community arts programs will enhance academic success and deepen their personal self-confidence so that they find a place in the world claiming it as their own.