The late 80's marked a violent period for Boston youth that culminated with a record-high 152 homicides in 1990. ZUMIX was founded in April 1991, in response to this dreadful wave of violence.

Like a lot of good ideas, ZUMIX started in someone's living room. Co-Founders Bob Grove and current Executive Director Madeleine Steczynski began with a simple principal - every child needs something to feel passionate about, and for many teens their passion is music. In the summer of 1991 they recruited 24 youth ages 8-18 to participate in a song-writing and performance program. In 1993, ZUMIX began serving the broader community with the establishment of Music in Maverick Square. The move to their current facility in 1996 enabled ZUMIX to launch Community Arts programs, welcoming local residents to intimate arts-related gatherings in a small, but vital arts space.

In 1994, a community needs and resource assessment conducted by the East Boston Healthy Boston Coalition listed increased arts activity as one of its main priorities. In 1997, ZUMIX was chosen to lead Cultural Connections- a three-year, multi-agency, Neighborhood Preservation Initiative funded by the Pew Charitable Trust.

In 2005, ZUMIX received the "Best Practice Award for Teen Centered Environment" from The Boston Foundation & Greater Boston After-School for All partnership. In 2006 ZUMIX was selected as a semi-finalist for the competitive Federal Coming-Up Taller Award, and was chosen as a 2006 Social Innovator for the Social Innovation Forum at MIT.

In 2005, the City of Boston's Department of Neighborhood Development chose ZUMIX to develop a beautiful old abandoned firehouse - two blocks from our current location. The Engine Company 40 Firehouse offers ZUMIX the opportunity to transform a long-abandoned building into an inspiring space for ZUMIX participants, and the East Boston community at large.

Our current facility has served us well, but with more than 200 youth on our waiting list, ZUMIX is looking to expand again.