History

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25 years of Rhythm and Soul

Like a lot of good ideas, ZUMIX started in someone's living room. Co-Founders Bob Grove and current Executive Director Madeleine Steczynski founded ZUMIX in 1991 as a response to Boston’s worst wave of youth violence. ZUMIX began as a summer songwriting program with 24 youth, $200, and the simple idea that giving youth something to be passionate about could transform lives and elevate communities.

Our programming quickly expanded. In 1993 we created a free outdoor Summer Concert Series in order to serve the broader community. Today, our year-round events are organized to provide East Boston residents with access to top-quality arts and cultural events.

Today ZUMIX serves over 500 youth per year through after-school and summer programming and 500 through in-school partnerships. Over 10,000 additional adults, children, and families attend our community events and festivals.

What’s a ZUMIX?

Zu-mix

noun

a name created by a youth participant in 1993
music, crafted and shared by everyone
a family

The Firehouse

In January, 2010, ZUMIX moved into the Engine Company 40 Firehouse after a 5 ½ year $4.6 million capital campaign. READ MORE