The Black Eyed Peas are hoping to inspire teens who are interested in pursuing careers in music. On April 21, the hip-hop group announced that they were opening a music and multimedia academy in Manhattan.
The Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academy will offer classes on music, photography, video editing and graphic design to students from the ages 13 to 19. The school will focus on enrolling students who are from high-poverty areas.
The Black Eyed Peas are stepping up in the community during a time when schools across the nation are cutting music and arts programs. Cash-strapped states eradicated or reduced those programs first once the economic downturn began in 2008.
“Our passion for music and media was fueled by many generous people on our road to success, ” Will.i.am said in a statement. “Expanding the network of Peapod Adobe Youth Voices academies enables us to pay it forward, giving more youth the skills and encouragement they need to realize their dreams.”
The school is set to open in July. –a.r.
