CEPA Community Arts & After School Programs

CEPA Community Arts & After School Programs includes Young Perspectives for ages 87, Photography Works, and Mapping Community for ages 1216. The programs include film photography, digital photography, pinhole cameras, darkroom printing, digital graphic design, animation, creative writing, and bookmaking. Photography Works is a year-long mentoring program with weekly after-school meetings for 10 students, and it includes access to CEPAs darkroom, computer lab, and studio lighting equipment, with cameras provided to students.

Programs

• Young Perspectives — Ages 8–12
• Photography Works — Weekly after school for the year · A year-long mentoring program for 10 students with serious interest in photography. No fee. Students must commit to meeting weekly after school and may also meet at different times with mentors.
• Mapping Community — Ages 12–16 · An interactive exploration created to expose Buffalo’s youth to its rich history and culture through research, site visits, and interaction with community leaders and historians.

At a glance

• Ages: 8–18 years old

About the provider

CEPA says its community arts programs are currently online only. The programs create opportunities for children throughout Buffalo and Western New York to come together and learn in a supportive arts education environment. CEPA was recognized by Michelle Obama with a 2013 National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Award, and partners named include Best Self Behavioral Health, Get Fokusd Productions, The Martin House, People Inc., Community Services for Every 1, Clean Air Coalition, Person Centered Services, Explore Buffalo, YWCA, Open Buffalo, Valley Community Association, and Autism Services.

CEPA says community arts programs are currently online only. Photography Works has no fee. Students need to commit to meeting weekly after school for the year. Youth programs can be customized to suit the needs of youth, community, and budget.

Last updated August 27, 2026.