[NYC] Free Hip Hop Summer Camp for Social Justice

August 19-22, 2014
Live performances: Saturday, August 23, 12-5PM; Saturday, August 31, 12-5PM

In direct response to the history and ongoing occurrence of gun violence and police brutality, much like the deaths of Mike Brown and Eric Garner, Urban Art Beat and Art Start, in conjunction with The Next Youth Coalition present the Free Hip Hop Summer Camp for Social Justice, a four-day intensive workshop for aspiring emcees, poets, singers, graffiti writers, and visual artists to communicate responsibly about these recent events. Youth, aged 13-18, work with industry professionals and pro-community, anti-violence groups to create collaborative performances addressing the gun violence and police brutality in their neighborhoods, as well as learn methods of anger de-escalation and conflict resolution.

The Free Hip Hop Summer Camp for Social Justice is located at Harlem’s SCAN Johnson Community Center, a free, safe space for youth that features a full gymnasium, stage, computer center, recording studio, and classrooms. In July 2014, as part of the administration’s efforts to make the City’s neighborhoods safer and reduce violent crime in New York City Housing Authority developments, Bill de Blasio provided the funding for the Center to extend its hours until 11PM, seven days a week, allowing for this summer camp to be possible.

The camp grants the youth access to hands-on-experience in writing, producing, and presenting original works of art around gun violence and police brutality. The youth participate in daily workshops that introduce important topics including the foundations of hip hop and its role in uplifting the community and maintaining street peace, beat-making, storytelling, writing through the visual arts, as well as recording and performance techniques with guest “artivists.”

The summer camp curricula is designed by leading arts educators in the City to increase youth leadership and collaboration skills, grant them concrete experience with their fields of interest, and introduce them to organizations that they can utilize after the camp to continue their development as artists and as proactive members of their community.

The camp culminates in live performances at two free community events: The Day of Remembrance for Nicholas Heyward Jr, August 23, 2014, Boerum Hill Park, Gowanus; and The Youth Speak Out Against Police Brutality, August 31, 2014, Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem.

The camp is 100% free to youth, including meals, metrocards, musical equiptment, writing materials, one-on-one mentoring time with trained teaching artists, and studio recordings. Those wishing to donate to the camp can visit: bit.ly/hiphopsummercamp.

Nicholas Heward, Jr. Memorial Foundation:
http://www.nicholasheywardmemorialfoundation.org/story.html

http://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/29/nyregion/police-youths-and-toy-guns-1-hurt-1-dead.html

To make a tax-deductible donation, select Art Start UAB Summer Camp: http://bit.ly/artstartdonation

ABOUT THE NEXT YOUTH COALITION

The New York City-based Next Youth Coalition connects local formations involved with providing pro-community, anti-violence programs for the youth. The lead members of these various formations meet under the umbrella of the Next Youth Coalition to link, expand, and reinforce each other’s organizations, and to collaborate on events that use arts education and Hip Hop pedagogy to encourage the youth to speak up and speak out on their experiences in positive forums. Current representatives of the Next Youth Coalition include Urban Art Beat, Art Start, Youth Organizers to Save Our Streets, Urban Word, Universal Zulu Nation, Movement in Motion, Art is Love and Action, and Hip Hop Re:Education.