Fusing the arts, sports and social organizing, the mission of ART ACTION AWARENESS is to develop physical and emotional health, provoke thought and inspire action among communities of at-risk youth. Through challenging and collaborative arts and sports education A3 seeks to nurture our youth’s interests and talents to drive personal growth and social change. A3 aims to provide leadership and performance opportunities and a place for open, critical dialogue.
ABOUT US
Formed in May of 2009, ART ACTION AWARENESS (A3) is dedicated to building and promoting personal growth and social awareness of young people by supporting their artistic and athletic interests and talents. A3’s youth are encouraged and given tools to express their voices through various mediums, discover more productive avenues of non-violent conflict resolution, and engage their communities and peers through artistic expression, dialogue and social organizing. It is our belief that through becoming stronger and more confident artists and athletes, A3 youth will gain the skills and knowledge to develop into active community members and leaders.
Only in its first year, A3 has already proven its commitment to youth development through sports and the arts with the successful launches of sports and arts pilot programming serving youth from Harlem to East New York. Through the early strategic development of partnerships with existing organizations, educators, artists, athletes and activists, A3 has become a powerful force in addressing educational and social inequities and providing youth with meaningful and enriching programming.
A3 achieves its goals by focusing on its three core elements:
- ART: A3 roots its development of critical pedagogy in the arts and the art of sport. Creating art, either individually or as a part of a group, provides a process that can enhance self-awareness, transformation, communication and understanding. Through sports we develop self-discipline, emotional and physical health, confidence, teamwork and mutual respect for one another. A3 recognizes the importance of both disciplines for emotional and cognitive growth and for their power to connect us as human beings.
- ACTION: A3 provides ample performance opportunities and leadership development within our programs.
- AWARENESS: A3 focuses on addressing the issues our youth face beyond our classrooms by hosting and promoting panels, film screenings and other educational, arts, sports, and community events. The aim is to increase dialogue and action around these issues and not respond with band-aid approaches.
