Ambitious public art, made together.
Beam Center Art brings artists, young people, and communities together to imagine, develop, and realize ambitious public art projects.
Opening early May 2027
Melissa Joseph at Beam Center
A public art project with artist Melissa Joseph, in development at Beam Center.
Confirm title and details with Melissa and Beam before this goes public.

Mission
Making together can be as transformative as the work itself.
Beam Center Art works at the intersection of artists, young people, and the public. Building on Beam Center’s legacy of collaborative project-making and experiential learning, we create the conditions for artistic experimentation, intergenerational exchange, and meaningful participation in the arts.
From the archive
All projectsFrom a first workshop to a public wall.
About
About Beam Center Art
Based in New York City, Beam Center Art is an outgrowth of Beam Center, which for over two decades has brought ambitious ideas to life through collaboration, creativity, and project-based learning.
Beam Center
Since 2005, Beam Center has worked with more than 45,000 young people, alongside a far-reaching community of artists, designers, fabricators, educators, and institutional partners. Together, they have dreamed up and realized projects that would be difficult to accomplish alone.
Beam Center Art
Rooted in public art and collaborative project-making, Beam Center Art creates opportunities for artists to develop and realize ambitious work, while bringing young people into the creative process as essential collaborators and contributors. Through the exchange of ideas, skills, and experience, we connect artists and young people with the resources, expertise, and relationships needed to bring meaningful projects into the world.
Beam Center Art works at the intersection of artists, young people, and the public. We believe the process of making together can be as transformative as the work itself.
Mission
Beam Center Art brings artists, young people, and communities together to imagine, develop, and realize ambitious public art projects.
Building on Beam Center’s legacy of collaborative project-making and experiential learning, we create the conditions for artistic experimentation, intergenerational exchange, and meaningful participation in the arts. We support artists in bringing ambitious ideas to life while empowering young people to develop their creative voices, skills, and agency as contributors to culture.
Through public art, collaboration, and shared creative experiences, we seek to make art more accessible, strengthen communities, and expand who gets to participate in shaping our cultural landscape.
Our Team
Past projects
Projects
Public art and collaborative builds made at Beam Center since 2006. Details and images come from beamcenter.org, and each project links back to its full page there.
Projects marked “on beamcenter.org” open Beam Center’s own page. Full details for them will be added here over time.
Opportunities
Opportunities
Beam Center Art creates opportunities for artists to develop and realize ambitious work, and for young people to join the process as collaborators and contributors. Dates and links are added as they are confirmed.
Programs
A path through the work
[Draft] Beam’s existing programs already move young people from first workshops to leading large projects. Beam Center Art adds steps that connect that path to the art world.
- Existing A Beam Center program today
- Proposed A new arts step, for discussion
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Stage 1
Discover
- ExistingAfter-school workshops and day campGrades 2 to 8. Technology, craft, and imagination.
- ProposedArtist visitsWorking artists share their practice with workshop groups.
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Stage 2
Build skills
- ExistingSchool partnershipsBeam faculty and teachers make art and technology projects with students.
- ExistingBeam CampA sleepaway summer program that builds a large collaborative project.
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Stage 3
Lead
- ExistingYouth apprenticeships11th and 12th graders learn technical and teaching skills.
- ProposedYouth-led showcaseApprentices take ownership of part of an exhibition or event.
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Stage 4
Show and work
- ExistingResidency and public artIncluding the Governors Island artist residency.
- ProposedArts career conversationsCurators and artists talk with older youth about paths into the field.
Program descriptions are drawn from beamcenter.org and should be checked with program staff.
Events
Events
[Draft] Walkthroughs, talks, and open studios around Beam Center’s public art projects.
Contact
Contact
[Draft] Artists, curators, funders, teachers, and neighbors are welcome to get in touch.
Beam Center
60 Sackett StreetBrooklyn, NY 11231
Office: (718) 855-7600
Email: [arts contact email]
Instagram: [@beamcenter_art], and @beamcenter