Our Mission:
Art in Action Youth Leadership Program uplifts and transforms the lives of young artists impacted by violence and poverty. Our annual summer camps and year-round programs create hope and opportunity through socially relevant popular education, community-building, and creative expression geared toward developing solutions. Art in Action provides a supportive, positive place for young leaders to cultivate leadership through dance, theater, music, spoken word/poetry, painting, storytelling, and media arts.
For six years, we have been convening groups of 25 young people for a 5 to 10 day overnight experience. Workshops include, “Linking the Issues,” in which youth connect local to global issues. Participants choose from core groups: dance/theater; spoken word/music; and visual or media arts/giant puppets. To culminate, we join together in a performance that speaks to the critical issues of our time.
What better way to connect us than by telling the stories of our lives? In a digital format, youth voices can shine in the multi-media realm: radio, online, TV, and film festivals.
Throughout the year our music program continues at Covenant House Homeless Youth Center. Young musicians learn how to write and record their own music, design CD covers, make music videos, and market their work.
Art in Action is regularly invited to teach and perform across the Bay Area. We have performed at dozens of community events and schools. These performances have helped to build unity among our graduates, while inspiring young audiences with the power of music and art.
In partnership with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights we are working to reduce incidences of violence in the Bay Area, promote positive and safe alternatives to violence for young people, develop youth leadership and build community through collective art making and performing. Please visit their website for more info.
This past year has been a tremendous one for our little-organization-that-could! Find out what we've accomplished!
What Makes Us Happy! (Accomplishments)
- We have had the honor of working with more than 300 amazing, young leaders!
- Our multi-racial collective is going strong after 7 years of working together AND we still love each other!
- We have raised enough money to hire two part-time staff members! Several of our graduates are now in leadership roles in the organization!
- Art in Action graduates, who before camp were thinking of dropping out of high school, have been motivated to go on to graduate with flying colors!
- Art in Action youth are getting into colleges, training programs, getting jobs and other opportunities!
- The young men we work with are building healthy relationships and attitudes toward women.
Many participants have gone on to collaborate with each other to produce art shows, emcee events, record CD’s, and are sharing the power of their voices with their communities! See more in the Gallery.
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