AOB moved quickly to address the needs of its young people, many of whom have been experiencing the destabilization of their parents’ jobs, their own lay-offs, and worries about medically compromised family members. Typically a team-centered, studio-based initiative that emphasizes social inclusion, emotional development, and professional achievement, its signature program, The Apprentice Program (TAP), engages disconnected, ethnically diverse, low-to-middle-income youth (ages 15-21) in entrepreneurial arts-based workforce training. Within 48 hours, the program team set art and design challenges and scheduled daily chat sessions for the crew. Fortunately, in the digital design studio, Design Your Future, individualized workflows and tasks for each crew member were already outlined and enabled youth to take the next steps toward meeting career and learning milestones. At a time when hope is in short supply and challenges seem insurmountable, AOB means inclusion, collaboration, and … connection.

Headquarters: MD-Montgomery County

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; MD-Montgomery County; Wheaton; Kensington; Silver Spring; Eastern Montgomery County; Gaithersburg; Washington DC

Age Groups Served: Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24)

Population(s) Served: Individuals with Disabilities; Individuals who identify as LGBTQ; Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Men/Boys; Women/Girls; Students; Immigrants/Refugees; All

Schools They Work In: Montgomery Blair High School; Hubert Blake High School; John F. Kennedy High School; Northwood High School; Springbrook High School; Wheaton High School; Richard Montgomery High School; Rockville High School; Roberto Clemente Middle School; Neelsville Middle School


  • Number of people (clients, patrons, students, etc) we serve annually:   400
  • Public works of art total and annually created and installed:  
    150+ total/11 works of public art per year (some works have multiple parts)
  • Artistic and personal growth of our youth through a program period:   Up to 60 participants/program

Awards & Recognition

2017 Catalogue for Philanthropy designated AOB as one of the best DC-area community-based nonprofits

2013 Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley designated September 21 as 'Arts on the Block Day' in recognition of our 10th anniversary

2011 Nancy Dworkin Outstanding Service to Youth Award in “Organization” category

2008 The County Executive of Montgomery County Certificate in Recognition and Appreciation for creation of the “Turning Point” mural, a community arts landmark joining Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties

2008 Office of the County Executive for Prince George’s County Proclamation in recognition of the “Turning Point” mural

2008 Citation from U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen in recognition of the “Turning Point” mural

2006 Leadership Montgomery Give Where You Lead Award

Press

  • No stories found

Budget (FY2023)

  • $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • The current budget for Arts on the Block is: $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

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