The creative abilities of youth age 11-18 are developed hands on training in digital media – radio, photography, beat-making, music/poetry, graphic design; and visual art – drawing, painting, graffiti, sculpture, stenciling and murals. Through the creative process youth develop leadership skills and learn how to collaborate and manage their own projects. Youth share their ideas with a wider audience through community exhibitions, performances and dialogue.
School Year Programs
Monday & Friday
Through My Eyes: Youth are lead by mentors to take photos and write about themselves, their families, their communities, and their life experiences. Youth will meet with mentors on Monday and on Friday work with the whole group. After 30 weeks of reflection, hard work, and collaboration, the group produces an exhibit and book that reflects a slice of their lives in both pictures and words.(September-May)A $15 registration fee is required to enroll.
Tuesday & Thursday
PhotoTodos: Photos For Everyone, Fotos Para Todos is a photography class where participants learn digital photography and video skills, visit museums and are mentored by Corcoran students. An exhibit will b e held at the Corcoran College of Art and Design. Youth will also exchanges images and writing with youth in El Salvador participating in the project. (September-May)
Art-is-In: Youth will develop skills through a series of projects, class critiques and fieldtrips. Youth will work with pencils, pastels, graphite, and paint as well as non-traditional materials. Participants will create art pieces based a theme relevant to their lives. A work-in-progress exhibit is held in December to share individual and in May an exhibit is held at the Art + Media House to showcase their work.
Wednesday & Friday
Verses: Participants will learn songwriting and poetry skills and techniques through fun writing and oral exercises. Youth will participate in individual and group projects, class critiques and recording sessions to produce a group CD. Participants will share their work with the community at Beats in the Park in May. (October-May)
Summer Program
2nd Nature Summer Program, employs 40 youth age 14-21 for 6-weeks. The youth are divided into 4 different art or media tracts. The 2nd Nature program is a partnership with the National Park Service of the National Capitol Region. The program develops young peoples’ creative skills in arts and media while introducing them to environmental issues and resources through visits to National Parks in the National Capital Region. The youth create work that reflects what they learned as they researched, observed and asked questions about the environments they explored. A final public installation and performance is held at the conclusion of the program.