Fresh Perspectives
CAW Youth Apprentices Explore Social Justice Through Digital Art
This summer, Creative Art Works employed over 150 young people through our public art youth employment programs. About half of those Youth Apprentices participated in multimedia workforce programs. This group was sub-divided into cohorts, each specializing in one of three disciplines: documentary filmmaking, animated storytelling, and graphic arts.
While all of CAW's youth employment is grounded in social justice, this was especially true for the multimedia teams who tackled subjects including global warming and environmental degradation, police and prison reform, and access to affordable healthcare and housing. Industry professionals and experts on criminal and environmental justice met with our YA’s on a weekly basis to advise them on the issues and help them craft a compelling message.
We invite you to sample some of the many videos and images created by our Youth Apprentices.
Special Thanks
We are grateful to the following professionals who offered their time and expertise every week to speak with our Youth Apprentices on issues of criminal and environmental justice.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM PANELISTS
Hon. George Villegas, Justice for the Bronx County Supreme Court
Virginia Torres-Villegas, MA, Director of the New York City Family Court Mediation Program
Rodney Goulding Jr., retired NYPD detective
Phillip C. Hamilton, Managing Partner at Hamilton Clarke, LLP and formerly from The Bronx Defenders
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PANELISTS
Elliot Avi Gitler, co-producer of the Audubon Mural Project and founder of Gitler &_____ Gallery
Jessica Maffia, Muralist for the Audubon Mural Project and Environmental Artist
Yumi Rodriguez, Muralist for the Audubon Mural Project and Environmental Artist
Michele Brody, Special Projects Manager at the Bronx River Art Center and community artist
Sari Nordman, interdisciplinary artist and teaching artist
Emma Chapman, sustainable agriculture and fair food advocate
This program was made possible by a generous grant from Charities Aid Foundation Canada.
This Public Art Youth Employment program was made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor, and the New York State Legislature, and by the Summer Youth Employment Program of the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, and, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council, and these generous supporters: Boston Properties, Invesco, L+M, Savills, Crowell & Moring, The LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation, The Sills Family Foundation, RBC Foundation USA, and CAF Canada. Many thanks to Celtic Building Supplies, Colony Hardware, Commodore Construction, Newport Painting & Decorating, Pittsburgh Paint, Structure Tone, and Sherwin-Williams for the donated materials and painting supplies. The majority of our Youth Apprentices come to us via the Summer Youth Employment Program of the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development. Youth providers include: BronxWorks, CASES, Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services, Children’s Aid Society, Henry Street Settlement, Inwood Community Services, and Right to Dream.
