Teen Artists on the Issues
After three years of successful programming, Arlington Center for the Arts is once again offering a unique, free opportunity for local teens to make an impact on their community through the arts. Teen Artists on the Issues 2023-2024 cohort will explore and create through poetry!
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Spoken Word Poetry & Empowerment is a free, immersive, hands-on learning experience. You will develop an understanding of creative writing techniques and processes, then explore how to use this medium to express community-centered ideas. Poetry has an incredibly rich and diverse history that will be the driving force behind this program. This action-oriented program will provide you with new tools, inspiration, peer collaboration, mentorship, and space to create and share work with the community at large.
About our 2023-24 Program:
Teen Artists on the Issues: Spoken Word Poetry & Empowerment is designed to give teens the opportunity to develop writing skills and performance through the art of spoken word and a journey of self exploration. Over the span of 10 weeks, teen participants will be able to engage in an empowering journey as they come together to address social topics through collaborative group discussions and innovative thinking.
Through interactive sessions, participants will create custom spoken word poetry, either individually or with a partner. The aim is to inspire and empower both the listeners and readers, fostering a sense of unity and self-expression.
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During the last week of the program, teens will demonstrate growth through spring semester open mic sessions that will allow them to showcase their newfound skills and confidence.
Important Application Info:
Arlington Center for the Arts encourages all young creatives with a passion for bettering themselves, their art/writing, and their community
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Ages 14-18 to apply.
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There will be a final exhibition of all student work at the end of the program.
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Applicants will be evaluated based on their potential to use the skills learned to amplify the concerns of their community and world.
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We are looking for passionate students who plan to use this program with an intent to learn, be present, and apply skills towards the issues that inspire them the most.
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Space is limited to 12 students
Important Dates:
Submission Deadline EXTENDED: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 11:59pm
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Accepted Teen Artists Contacted: Tuesday, November 21, 2023
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TAOTI will meet on the following Wednesdays, 4-6pm:
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November 29
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December 6
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December 13
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December 20
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January 17
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January 24
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January 31
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February 7
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February 14
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February Break, no class: 2/19 - 2/23
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February 28
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March 6 | PERFORMANCE
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Questions? Please email Programs Manager Delia Tharnish (she/her) at delia@acarts.org
About Our Teen Artists on the Issues Faculty
Instructor | Nahomie St. Louis
She/Her/Hers
Nahomie is a self-taught spoken word artist who has performed in various locations across the northeast United States and Canada. She began her journey in the dorms of her undergraduate career and grew to love the art of Spoken Word. During her post-undergraduate career, she co-founded Urbanology, an eclectic group of individuals that performed collaborative productions based on black and brown culture. She has also formed many creative spaces, events, and workshops for young people as a Program Director for the City of Cambridge.
Nahomie founded Virtual Voices, a space of spoken word poetry and self-reflection where young women were given the tools of creative writing and performance to express their stories confidently to their communities. Driven by her unwavering passion for artistic creativity, Nahomie skillfully crafts tailor-made spoken word poetry for an array of audiences.
Nahomie's primary objective is to ignite inspiration and uplift her listeners.
