These initiatives help young people enhance self-expression and creativity, develop multicultural appreciation, provide exposure to and develop skills in crafts and visual, performing and literary arts.

The Sheakley Fine Arts Exhibit Program is a year-round program that encourages artistic expression among Club members 6-18 through drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed media and sculpture displayed at local and regional exhibits. A panel of distinguished judges selects works for inclusion in the National Fine Arts Exhibit, which is displayed throughout the ensuing year at BGCA events, including the annual National Conference. Each winning artist's work is featured in a virtual gallery on BGCA's Web sites. L'Oreal sponsors the National Arts Exhibit program.  

The Sheakley National Photography Program encourages Club members ages 6-18 to learn and practice black-and-white, color, digital and alternative process photography. The program has three components: a photography programming resource guide full of fun, creative activity ideas for three skill levels; small grants for Clubs to start or stengthen photography programs; and an annual photography contest that provides local, regional and national recognition. Club members' photographs selected at the contest's national level are exhibited at the BGCA National Conference and at other events and venues. Circuit City Foundation and Larry & Rhonda Sheakley are sponsors of the program.