Our Mission
Boston Art & Music Soul (BAMS) Fest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that breaks down racial and social barriers to arts, music, and culture across Greater Boston, through the presentation of an annual festival, signature events, and strategic partnerships. BAMS Fest celebrates and supports both artists and audiences, with an emphasis on Afro-diasporic voices, perspectives, and artistry.
Our Vision
BAMS Fest envisions a vibrant and inclusive arts and culture sector for the city of Boston and beyond, which celebrates all artistic talents, challenges societal perceptions, and empowers and engages audiences. We recognize and elevate the depth of talent that exists in Boston’s arts ecosystem, encompassing all art forms and disciplines.
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​To this end, we strive to engage with three separate, but related, constituencies:
Artists
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Amplifying their talents through events and network-building
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Connecting them to services that support their own personal and professional development as important members of the creative economy,
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Combat the barriers that exist in the current arts space
Audiences
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For black and brown people, we believe they deserve access to, and preservation of, art that is relevant to them.
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We strive to create welcoming spaces for all audiences with an emphasis on Afro-diasporic people
City of Boston
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Collaborate through a supportive infrastructure that demands cultural equity, and builds and maintains ties with artists in Boston and beyond, who can help propel this identity of inclusivity forward.
Our Impact
$180,000
Net sales generated from our festival by minority and women-owned businesses.
$112k
This amount reflects how much we have paid to POC artists to perform, since 2015.
400+
POC artists have been hired, promoted and support through our organization.
10,000+
Community members have attended our events and programs over the last five years.
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Partners, Supporters & Sponsors of our programs:
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