What is ¡YA BASTA! / Enough is Enough!: Summer Youth Empowerment Institute?
This summer 2011, One Imagination offers ¡YA BASTA! / Enough is Enough!: Summer Youth Empowerment Institute, an arts based program that educates high school students to become social entrepreneurs and advocates of social change in their communities. Based in Long Beach, ¡YA BASTA! is an eight week summer program utilizing Popular Education and other forms of alternative education.
Youth involved in ¡YA BASTA! will learn how to recognize and amend social inequalities in our society. Our educational method focuses on Popular Education. This method advocates for an active dialogue, developing consciousness, informed action mindful toward the betterment of our community, and a special focus on the lived experiences of the participants. It serves as an effective teaching tool for participants, helping them to realize their own abilities to advocate for social change. We will implement this method using Theater of the Oppressed, poetry, spoken word, writing exercises, hip hop, visual arts, and musicianship.
¡YA BASTA! and One Imagination directly work towards building youth empowerment by reinforcing the fact that everyone regardless of their age has a voice that deserves to be heard and is capable of working towards the betterment of their community. One Imagination hosts one of the largest monthly open mics in Long Beach called Break the Silence. The space is all ages so that youth can have an opportunity to share their stories and connect with others. ¡YA BASTA! will continue the mission of giving youth an opportunity to share their stories.
Youth involved in ¡YA BASTA! will learn how to recognize and amend social inequalities in our society. Our educational method focuses on Popular Education. This method advocates for an active dialogue, developing consciousness, informed action mindful toward the betterment of our community, and a special focus on the lived experiences of the participants. It serves as an effective teaching tool for participants, helping them to realize their own abilities to advocate for social change. We will implement this method using Theater of the Oppressed, poetry, spoken word, writing exercises, hip hop, visual arts, and musicianship.
¡YA BASTA! and One Imagination directly work towards building youth empowerment by reinforcing the fact that everyone regardless of their age has a voice that deserves to be heard and is capable of working towards the betterment of their community. One Imagination hosts one of the largest monthly open mics in Long Beach called Break the Silence. The space is all ages so that youth can have an opportunity to share their stories and connect with others. ¡YA BASTA! will continue the mission of giving youth an opportunity to share their stories.
Who is One Imagination?
One Imagination empowers the current and next generation of leaders through written and oral expression. As a collective based in the Long Beach/South Bay area, we believe that through conscious artistic programming, community education and outreach, and leadership development, we can cultivate a world free of hatred, ignorance, injustice, inequality, and oppression.
Social change requires a shift in the culture and values of a society. With every political/social movement, there has been cultural and artistic movements coinciding that reflect the changing world perspective and challenge dominant dynamics and methods of expression, connection, and communication. We strive to participate in using our art to influence this positive shift and empowering leaders to put in work towards creating a more just and loving society.
• We create safe, respectful, encouraging spaces for people to tell their stories and express themselves.
• We provide consistent programming for local artists to develop their work and connect/collaborate with other artists.
• We nurture and build our own community of One Imagination artists.
• We represent the grassroots arts movement building for social change in the Long Beach/South Bay area.
• We empower and support youth, children, and families with community-based arts education and programming.
Social change requires a shift in the culture and values of a society. With every political/social movement, there has been cultural and artistic movements coinciding that reflect the changing world perspective and challenge dominant dynamics and methods of expression, connection, and communication. We strive to participate in using our art to influence this positive shift and empowering leaders to put in work towards creating a more just and loving society.
• We create safe, respectful, encouraging spaces for people to tell their stories and express themselves.
• We provide consistent programming for local artists to develop their work and connect/collaborate with other artists.
• We nurture and build our own community of One Imagination artists.
• We represent the grassroots arts movement building for social change in the Long Beach/South Bay area.
• We empower and support youth, children, and families with community-based arts education and programming.
When and where is it?
¡YA BASTA! / Enough is Enough!: Summer Youth Empowerment Institute is eight weeks long. We meet every Saturday from 2pm – 6pm (with the exception of July 30th which will be an extended day). Sessions will take place in Long Beach, CA with the venue to be determined.
How do I get involved?
Fill out the application by THURSDAY, June 30th, 2011. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by July 5th.
How can I contact One Imagination if I have other questions?
You can email us at [email protected] or reach us by phone at (562) 281-5351.
