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PROJECT 2050 IS...
a multi-year exploration of the year when it is projected that people of color will become the majority in the United States. Addressing the issues compelled by these changing demographics, the project engages professional artists, youth communities, scholars, and community activists in civic dialogue and artistic creation. These creative processes and performances actively create forums for intergenerational, interracial, and cross-cultural dialogues in community and university settings. The project promotes the creative imagining of a near-future when it will become imperative to address issues of race construction, ethnic balkanization, social equity, and power.In a retreat setting, youth participate in a series of daily workshops led by leading artists in areas such as Playwriting and Poetry, Breakdancing, Drumming, Beatboxing and Lyricism, Singing and Songwriting, Stepping, and Visual Art. In addition to these workshops, youth and artists engage in daily "Knowledge for Power" sessions with national scholars. "Knowledge for Power" sessions are intensive, scholar-led explorations and dialogues about our selected 2050 themes.
All the work and ideas in this performance are written and created entirely by the youth from their time spent with Project 2050 artists and scholars
The Project 2050 Retreat culminates in a performance featuring the emotional and imaginative self-authored works that are a result of the 10 days of artistic and personal exploration and sharing. The powerful performance incorporates dance, poetry, and the four elements of Hip Hop--DJ-ing, MC-ing, break dancing, and graffiti arts.
ABOUT THE YOUTH
Youth participants for Project 2050 were nominated by teachers, counselors, peers, parents, or community organizations based on their talent, commitment to cross cultural dialogue, and diverse interests. They range in age from 13 to 19 and come from Amherst, Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Hadley, Lawrence, and Greenfield. Of 46 participating youth, 21 are returning peer leaders--selected for this role of leadership based on their past involvement and commitment to Project 2050.
HISTORY: HOW IT BEGAN
Project 2050 was launched July 2000 in a one week Planning Retreat which considered key themes and involved intensive artistic workshops. A second Dialogue Phase brought together youth and community members, taking place in various community settings throught Holyoke, Northampton, and Springfield. We continue to build upon this tradition of community dialogue and collaboration through the inclusion and participation of local artists, scholars, community members and youth groups in the Project 2050 Summer Retreat.
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Our Summer 2007 Theme was....
The Love in
R-EVOL-ution
In Summer 2007, Project 2050 searches for the true meaning of "revolution", examining how it gets used, where it comes from, and where the youth of today want to take it. What happens when the word "revolution" gets pimped in everything from music videos to banking ads? What's the difference between revolution, resistance, uprising and independence? How can we reconcile the dual revolutionary credos of "by any means necessary" and nonviolent civil disobedience? What did Che Guevara mean when he said, "Every true revolutionary is driven by love"? This summer, 2050 investigates global justice movements, through history and today, asking "what kind of love are we talking about?" and "what kind of revolution do we want?" Join the youth of Project 2050 as they discover, revise, remix and evolve |
REVOLUTION for a new generation! |
