The Kynock Foundation believes every young person deserves equal access to the arts.

Based in Boston, this passionate nonprofit creates transformative, lifelong memories by bringing students to live performances across the city – free of charge – and bringing artists into classrooms to turn them into vibrant creative spaces.

Partnering closely with educators and community organizations, the foundation ensures each performance aligns with learning goals and resonates deeply with students, handling all logistics so teachers can focus on what matters most.

A Vision to Remove Barriers and Inspire Creativity

The foundation envisions a world where all children have the ability to thrive creatively. By removing barriers to arts access, they empower the next generation to express themselves freely and cultivate appreciative future audiences.

Their mission brings transformative, immersive cultural experiences to communities without traditional access, fueling compassion and artistic growth.

Programs That Transform Lives

The Kevin C. Kynock Foundation offers three signature programs designed to create meaningful, lasting connections between young people and the arts.

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🎭 Arts Immersion Trips

The Foundation believes introducing live performing arts at a young age is critical to inspiring future artists and fostering lifelong patrons of the arts. These carefully curated trips bring small groups of students (20-40) to live performances, creating uniquely personal experiences that leave lasting impressions.

Foundation volunteers work closely with educators to find the perfect performance for their students, whether that means aligning with existing curriculum or choosing artists representative of their community. Partner venues provide special touches like cast meet-and-greets and backstage tours, making each visit truly “one of a kind.”

The Foundation handles all logistics, from ticket purchasing to transit assistance, ensuring a seamless experience from beginning to end. Students from Esperanza Academy experienced this magic firsthand at the Strand Theater for a performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

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🎨 Artist-in-Residence Visits

Artist-in-residence visits bring artists directly to schools, transforming classrooms into artistic spaces for a day. The Foundation believes a single experience with the arts can create an interest and passion that lasts a lifetime.

This is the Foundation’s most personal program. They work closely with education or community partners to find the artist best suited for their students, whether in performing arts, fine arts, filmmaking, photography, dance, or any other discipline partners can envision.

Because artists come directly to students, this program is ideal for partners with limited transportation options. In 2024, Esperanza Academy in Lawrence hosted a vibrant salsa dancing workshop, celebrating movement, culture, and artistic expression.

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🎭 Shakespeare on the Common

This program honors Kevin Kynock, a devoted follower of the Bard who spent time as a fellow at the Royal Shakespeare Company and staged Shakespearean plays each fall at Boston College High School.

When Kevin passed away in 2007, former students pooled donations to put his name in the program for Boston’s largest free Shakespeare performance. By 2018, support had grown so substantially that the Kevin C. Kynock Foundation for the Arts was formally established, creating a partnership with the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company.

Today, Foundation support goes directly to apprenticeship programs, giving young artists the opportunity to learn from experienced Shakespearean performers and directors while keeping Shakespeare free and accessible to all Bostonians.

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🎓 The Kevin C. Kynock Award

Each year, the Foundation supports a scholarship for a Boston College High School student who displays leadership in the Arts. A Kynock Scholar not only excels in music, theater, or fine arts, but is committed to sharing their passions and helping fellow students develop their own commitment to the arts.

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Commitment to Community and Impact

With a focus on immersive arts experiences, Kynock Foundation supports schools and community groups in integrating arts into education while backing local cultural organizations.

Many students experience live performances for the first time through their programs, sparking inspiration and opening doors to new possibilities. The foundation also nurtures emerging young artists through initiatives like their Artist 2 Artist program, fostering creative mentorship and leadership among youth.

At its heart, the Kevin C. Kynock Foundation understands that the arts are more than entertainment – they’re essential tools for building empathy, creativity, and human connection. By ensuring that children from all backgrounds can access these experiences, the Foundation is investing in a more compassionate, creative, and culturally rich future.

To support the Kevin C. Kynock Foundation’s mission of bringing the arts to underserved communities, visit their website kynockfoundation.org to learn about donation opportunities and how you can help create a more artistic future.

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