The URBANO Project supports teens to explore diverse artistic media while providing a forum for young people and adults to create collaborative works of public art and performance. Through instruction and mentoring from professional artists and performers we seek to foster a new generation of public artists and engaged citizens among Boston's public high school students.
The URBANO Project's programming is designed to take advantage of the unique history and cultural life of Boston's neighborhoods. Our Artists' Workshops and Curatorial programming for teens are designed to consistently provide young people with opportunities to engage with public spaces through original art and performance. Instructors, many of whom have experience working as public or community artists, are encouraged to design curricula that explore local history, architecture, cultural traditions, and the role of the artist in communities.
This engagement with Boston's public spaces and unique neighborhoods fosters in teens a sense of ownership of their communities, and a commitment to exploring artwork and performance that foster dialogue with the public.
SPRING 2010 ARTISTS' WORKSHOPS FOR TEENS
Registration now open!
Application deadline is January 27, 2010
Download a flyer (PDF) | Download an application (DOC)
THE FUNDRED PROJECT
We need your help!
Fundred is a unique collaborative art project started by artist Mel Chin to raise funds and awareness to restore lead-contaminated soil in New Orleans. You can help by making your own Fundred Dollar Bill - a original, hand-drawn interpretation of the US $100 bill.
CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO GET STARTED
The Teen Curators work together in URBANO's studios during the school year with guidance from professional artists to create exhibitions and events that showcase an authentic teen perspective. The Teen Spoken Word, Visual Art, Film, and Graphic Design Curators meet on one afternoon per week from October - May, and collaboratively produce the YouthFusion public event series, bringing more than 1,000 audience members to the URBANO studios and other venues around the city. Teen Curators receive a stipend for participation.
The Teen Graphic Design Curators learn to collaboratively research, design, and produce promotional materials for the Teen Curators' YouthFusion event series, and other URBANO events. The Design Curators work as a team to master the basics of a variety of design and digital imaging programs, and also have opportunities to explore design in the studio through printmaking, illustration, and mixed media. The Teen Graphic Design Curators also curate exhibitions of graphic design work by teen artists, and complete an ambitious group project at the end of the school year.
The Teen Film Curators create collaborative films and direct the YouthFusion Film Series, highlighting teens' film/video work and critically analyzing films. The Film Curators' responsibilities include: creating, publicizing, and distributing a call-for-entries; determining who/how to outreach for film submissions and audiences; reviewing and selecting films based on established criteria; planning the format of events; and collaborating with the other Teen Curatorial Groups to document events at URBANO and around the city, and create multi-media shows.
The Teen Spoken Word Curators work with a professional poet and performer to compose and perform original spoken word poetry and seek out new writing and performance talent from all over the city. The Spoken Word Curators' responsibilities include: creating original poetry around themes and ideas determined by the group, contributing regularly to group critique and evaluation of new poetic works, facilitating welcoming and exciting spoken word open mic events for teens, and performing for the public at venues around the city.
The Teen Visual Art Curators bring contemporary art to the public by organizing exhibitions and collaborating in art-related events throughout Boston. The Visual Art Curators' responsibilities include: seeking visual art submissions from their peers; creating and distributing Calls for Art; reviewing submissions; and designing exhibitions for URBANO and other venues. The group also works with guest artists, creates collaborative pieces in the studio, and explores new media, public art and performance art. The Curators learn about Boston's arts community through visits to local art venues and meetings with professional curators and artists.
Led by professional artists, the Artists' Workshops provide opportunities for teens to experience a diversity of media in-depth through personal studio exploration and large-scale collaborative projects. Artists' Workshops are offered free of charge to Boston-area public high school students.
Apply now for URBANO's Spring 2010 arts, media, and performance workshops for teens!
Download an Artists' Workshops application form (Word)
Return your completed application to:
or mail it to:
The URBANO Project
29 Germania St.
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Download and share an informational flier (PDF)
SPRING 2010 ARTISTS' WORKSHOPS:
Contemporary Dance and Composition
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:30 – 6:00
Learn to express yourself through movement. Classes include lessons in technique from disciplines including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and modern dance. This dance class will focus on composition and choreography. Through improvisational exercises, students will learn how to create their own original movement. No previous dance experience is required.
(download application form) (back to top)
Installation: Art in 4 Dimensions
Wednesdays, 3:30 – 6:00
How can a room become a work of art? Or a sidewalk? Why and how do artists use whole spaces and all 5 senses to communicate? In this class, learn about it by making an installation of your own! We will work with writing, sculpture and video projections to create experimental, mixed-media artworks.
(download application form) (back to top)
