Despite a growing body of research in support of the long-term benefits of arts education, many Boston Public Schools have been forced to dramatically reduce or even discontinue their in-school arts and performance programming.
our response: The URBANO Project offers all its programming free of charge to Boston public school students in a supportive, accessible space. Historically, a high proportion of teens participating in URBANO's Teen Curatorial Program and Artists' Workshops feel that the arts are their only viable avenue to academic engagement and achievement.
To participate fully in contemporary society and to become creative, flexible members of the workforce, young people must learn to work as an effective part of team and to thrive in an atmosphere of partnership and collaboration.
our response: Through the curatorial process and collaborative artmaking teens learn to work together to realize ideas beyond the scope of what an individual can accomplish. When supported and challenged to work collaboratively, young people become familiar with concepts of teamwork and group synergy while also creating their own close-knit community of supportive peers. The URBANO Project's partnerships with community and arts organizations as well as individual artists provide young people with resources for collaboration and social impact.
Urban teens face challenges in their lives ranging from social and academic pressures, to family and community violence, to substance abuse. In addition to a supportive community of peers, there is an urgent need to provide young people with adult mentors who not only support them to express themselves but also provide compelling models of professional artistic practice.
our response: The instructors who staff the URBANO Project's programs are seasoned educators with experience working with teen populations as well as professional artists who pursue a vibrant and innovative personal artistic practice. Teen Curatorial Program and Artists' Workshops instructors create an environment in which Boston’s teens are empowered to voice their concerns and priorities while supporting their peers to do the same.
Many urban teens who are interested in studying the arts, performance, media, and design after high school lack access to high-quality programming that will support them to build a portfolio and craft a strong application.
our response: Through partnerships with local arts colleges the URBANO Project offers high school students college-level instruction in diverse artistic media. Many of our instructors also teach at the college level, providing teens with direct access to university faculty members. Continuing involvement with alumni of the URBANO Project allows us to offer support to students transitioning from high school to college while providing current high school students with a group of supportive peers currently enrolled in 2- or 4-year colleges, or pursing an arts career.
Public education policymakers recognize the crucial role of creativity and a "21st Century" skill set in preparing young people to face and address the challenges of contemporary society and a changing workforce.
our response: Through challenging, high-quality arts instruction teens gain skills in critical and creative thinking. Studio training gives teens new tools to express themselves, experiment, improvise, and play with new concepts and artistic techniques.
Although they are residents of Boston, urban teens may not feel welcome in many neighborhoods, and may not demonstrate investment in the preservation of local public spaces, cultural traditions, or community life.
our response: Through study of and engagement with innovative works of public art and performance young people become aware of the dialogue between artists and the communities in which they work. As teens explore, document, and respond to the visual and cultural histories of their own neighborhoods, they gain an understanding of the communities that make up the city of Boston. Working with professional public artists and community members, teens develop a commitment to continued engagement with the development and evolution of their city.
The URBANO Project seeks to foster a philosophy of artistic expansiveness, supporting works that blur boundaries between art and lived experience. Through artistic collaboration, participating teens and adults are challenged to create works that take place both within institutional spaces and in the community beyond the walls of the studio.
We believe in the transformative power of the artistic process. We seek to foster a creative community which privileges artistic discovery and experimentation while at the same time supporting the creation of diverse, conceptually sophisticated works of art, performance, media, and design.
It is our belief that during this period of economic uncertainty, artmaking can be a vehicle for hope, community cohesion, and personal transformation. Times of change bring us new partnerships, greater synergy with neighborhood organizations, and unexpected opportunities to bring innovative, thought-provoking works of art to communities around the city.