Kennedy Heights Arts Center
6546 Montgomery Road
Cincinnati, OH 45213
Teen Voices: Teen Artists for Change and Tellus Zine
Grant Application:
Kennedy Heights Arts Center will offer two community-based programs, Teen Artists for Change and Tellus Zine, that empower young people to use their creative skills to make an impact on the world around them. Developed and shaped by teens themselves, these programs address the unique and multi-faceted needs of adolescents. Mentored by professional artists, diverse students in grades 7-12 will create art and media projects of their own design. Amidst the complex social issues of this time, Tellus Zine and Teen Artists for Change offer viable ways for teens to express themselves creatively, build community among peers across our city, and to take creative action on the issues that matter the most to them.
Program objectives include:
1. Enhance students' ability to use art techniques, materials and processes to express themselves and communicate ideas.
2. Provide positive creative outlets for diverse young people.
3. Empower students to have a positive impact on the world around them and become vocal advocates in issues that matter to them.
4. Nurture a sense of brave community among young creatives across Greater Cincinnati.
We will evaluate our success based on the following outcome measures:
1. 25-30 students, ages 12-18, will actively participate in Teen Artists for Change and Tellus Zine.
2. 80-100 additional youth will participate in events, community projects and/or contribute to the zine.
3. Students will develop and produce: at least 2 community art projects, one Open Mic/Open Screen event, and one new edition of the Tellus Zine by May 31, 2023.
4. 75 percent of students surveyed will report gaining new skills as a result of the program.
5. 75 percent of students surveyed will report increased self-confidence and the ability to be vocal advocates in community issues that matter to them.
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Grant Evaluation Report:We are proud and inspired by these exceptional young people! Together, teens created safe spaces for self-expression, experimentation, and growth. They created work centered around their value systems, while learning new skills, and engaging with peers.
Teen Artists for Change members worked on a variety of projects that positively impacted their community including highlighting issues that matter to them through art, and providing resources for people to get involved. They also created a new space to spark creativity and enrich inclusivity within the art center.
The Tellus Zine was developed, created, and celebrated by teens for teens. With a small board of 8 members, 63% of this years’ editorial board members were new to this program. This engaged group of students developed an incredible zine, cultivating expansion in the project including a more complex design and an increase in size. Students hosted an amazing launch party for the zine welcoming teens from across the city. The party included visual artmaking and teen performances in music, theater, and an open mic of spoken word poetry.
Student quotes:
“This year of Tellus has greatly impacted my development of being an artist. I feel like I've gained a lot of confidence in my art making and my people skills.”
“Being on the board has been a great experience, and I think it definitely has impacted my personal and artistic development. It has completely opened the door to many artists, programs, and opportunities that I wouldn’t really have known about otherwise. I am definitely a more confident artist, and I trust myself more to go where I want to, and to follow my interests.”
“Seeing other people my age with so much talent has inspired me!”
“The best parts of being in Tellus were getting to meet young people who have common interests with me, and getting to see their talents.”
“(The best part was) getting to work with Jamie Goben and Michael Thompson. It was amazing getting to talk with / hear from them and it was really inspiring to hear their stories and how they became who they wanted to be—who they are.”
Results:
1. 30 students participated in Teen Artists for Change and Tellus Zine Editorial Board.
2. 124 students participated in events, community projects and/or contributed to the zine.
3. Students produced 3 community art projects, an open mic event, and one new edition of the Tellus Zine. In addition, teens participated in 3 workshops led by professional artists including: creative writing and large scale visual artmaking, graphic design and publication, and prop design.
4. 100% percent of Tellus Zine members surveyed reported gaining new skills as a result of the program. In addition, 100% percent of responding students reported that participation in the Tellus Zine Editorial Board enabled them to set and achieve personal goals.
5. 100% percent of responding Tellus Zine members reported increased self-confidence and ability to be vocal advocates in community issues that matter to them.
Website:
http://www.kennedyarts.org Amount: $25,000
Date: June 2022
