ASPP Handbook Draft by art-start

H a n d b o o k

contents About Art Start About Art Start Portrait Project Process • Art Start Portrait Project Collaborators • Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 After the Project • Digital Archive • After the Project

About Art Start Art Start uses the creative process to nurture the voices, hearts, and minds of historically marginalized youth, offering a space for them to imagine, believe, and represent their creative vision for their lives and communities. Through consistent workshops with long-term partners, including youth organizations, schools, alternative sentencing programs, and residences for youth and families experiencing homelessness, art becomes the starting point of a larger life process, and the start of larger conversations about the future of our communities. Art Start uses a student-centered approach to education. Workshops guide youth in identifying their confidence to appreciate who they already are and what they innately have to offer the world; then, to think critically, ask important questions, and build on opportunities in their way. Most youth express a deep yearning to contribute to positive change in their world. We center our collective work upon the phrase “Imagine, believe, create, become,” as a mantra to frame a time of instability and transition as a time for personal growth and development. We use the creative process to provide vital opportunities for youth to heal, thrive, and grow through the adverse conditions of their present circumstances, and guide them toward developing life skills beyond the arts. For nearly 30 years and with the help of 12,000 volunteers and teaching artists, we have served more than 25,000 youth, and become an award-winning, nationally recognized model for transforming young lives.

Portrait of Petrilla made with Ken Pao, 2020

Portrait of Sofia made with Kat Schleicher, 2020

Portrait of Nico made with David Johnson, 2017

About Art Start Portrait Project The Art Start Portrait Project is a multimedia exhibition and platform for Art Start youth to portray the complex narratives about their identities, asking the world to see them as they choose to be seen. Through Art Start workshops, in-depth dialogue, interviews and photoshoots, participants explore personal identity and envision their lives beyond circumstance and stereotype. With support from world-class photographers, retouchers, stylists, and oral historians, those visions come to life through a multimedia gallery exhibition and public campaign, #SeeMeBecause, offering a platform for self-determination, representation, and freedom. Founded in 2013, the Art Start Portrait Project offers underrepresented youth from historically marginazlied communities the opportunity to portray the complex narratives about their identities, asking the world to see them for how they choose to be seen. To date, over fifty teens and over 100 families have participated in the project and associated public campaign in both New York City and Milwaukee.

During Creative Session #1, 2018

During Creative Session #1, 2020

During Creative Session #3, 2020

Process Part 1 • Creative Session #1 - Explore, Connect, Portraits, • Creative Session #2 - Video Interviews • Creative Session #3 - Oral Histories Part 2 • Student Concept + Set Approvals • Creative Session #4 • Photoshoot • Oral Histories Part 3 • Youth Reveal of final portraits w/video interviews • Installation Planning & Learning • Exhibition

At the Photoshoot, 2020

Art Start Portrait Project collaborators The Art Start Portrait Project collaborators include world-class photographers, oral historians, makeup artists, stylists, and retouchers. Some of the participating photographers on this project have included Natalie Brasington, David Johnson, Mary Ellen Matthews, Martin Schoeller, Andrew Eccles, Matt Hoyle, Chris Randall, Heidi Gutman, Zachary Maxwell Stertz.

During Creative Session #1, 2020

Portrait of Jayden with Zachary Maxwell Stertz, Creative Session #1, 2018

Part 1: Creative Session #1 + Creative Session #2 + Creative session #3 Creative session #1: • B/W Photos and session with Art Start where ideas, art, and writing take place surrounding themes that inspire discussion for the Project. Creative Session # 2: • Art Start creates a video interview with the student covering multiple subjects. • The interview will be included in the final footage. Creative Session # 3: • An exploration of oral history, and an oral history interview takes place. Students meet the photographer with whom they will be paired. They discuss some basic ideas for the youth portrait. • Photographer and Art Start Producers review oral history transcripts and video interview to formulate more ideas to present to student. • Art Start arranges a student/photographer phone call or video conference to discuss ideas, and make final decision on concept.

At the Photoshoot, 2020

Part 2: Concept development + Creative Session #4 Concept Development • Photographers map out their concepts and submit. Creative Session #4 • Art Start meets with students in to review the concept and get their feedback. Changes or additions are communicated back to photographer.

At the Photoshoot, 2020

Part 2: photoshoot + oral histories #2 Photoshoot • Props, Costuming, Set items are secured for weekend of shooting. Logistics, catering, youth transportation are arranged. • Full day photoshoot is executed. Hair, makeup, wardrobe on set. Students can remain on set to support their peers throughout the photoshoot. • Behind the Scenes video is taken throughout the entire weekend. Oral Histories #2 • Art Start meets with students for the post photoshoot audio interviews. • Students review their oral history transcripts one on one and indicate what can and should not be used. They select some of their favorite statements. Excerpts for exhibition are selected.

Participant with his Portrait at the Youth Reveal, 2019

Participant with her Portrait at the Youth Reveal, 2020

Participant with his Final Portrait, 2020

Part 3: Youth Reveal Youth Reveal • A private unveiling of images is coordinated for students to see the images printed and hung for the first time. Video interviews are shot at this reveal that will be used in final video. Students are given copies of their prints to keep. • Edits are made to final portraits, based upon student feedback. Final images are approved to be exhibited publicly.

At the gallery exhibition installation, 2021

At the outdoor exhibition installation, 2021

Part 3: Exhibition Planning & Installation Practice Exhbition Planning + Installation Practice • Youth learn installation skills and install the artwork for the exhibition. • Stipends are provided.

Outdoor Exhibition at Alice’s Garden Urban Farm, Milwaukee, WI 2020

ASPP Exhibition at Starrett-Lehigh Building, New York, NY, 2021

ASPP Exhibition at West Chelsea Art Building, New York, NY, 2020

Part 3: Exhibition Exhibition • Opening exhibition reception is planned in large exhibition space, art museum, local gallery or outdoor venue, where work can live for an extended period. • Promotional video is completed and circulated at least 4 weeks out of event. Press release and press outreach begins, including #SeeMebecause social media campaign. • Exhibition remains open for 2-8 weeks. Meaningful programming, such as youth live showcases and participants panel discussions, is scheduled to take place inside exhibition space during the time the show is on exhibition.

See Me Because Digital Archive

Portrait of Maritza made with Sara Stathas, 2020

Portrait of Chris made with Mel Russell, 2020

after the project: Digital Archive Archive + more Digital Archive • The portrait and story files will be entered into Art Start’s national archive at SeeMeBecause.org so that the voices and representations of participating youth have an elevated and accessible platform. • With individual youth permission, portrait images are available to be licensed to the partnering organization to be printed and displayed in their locations and materials according to clearly defined usage guidelines. • Videos and other representations will be shown in subsequent exhibition spaces, Art Start public campaigns, and Art Start online campaigns. • Youth will be eligible to return to Art Start monthly for open Creative Sessions, and be eligible for Art Start’s Emerging Artist Program - a six-month professional development residency.

contacts JOHANNA DE LOS SANTOS Executive Director johanna@art-start.org KATYA KHAN Public Exchanges Programs Manager katya@art-start.org NEW YORK 526 West 26th Street, Suite 501 New York, NY 10001 MILWAUKEE 1037 W. McKinley Avenue, Suite 355 Milwaukee, WI 53205 212.460.0019 Art Start is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization

Project Sponsors (foundations) National Endowment for the Arts Wisconsin Humanities Council Greater Milwaukee Foundation MPS Partnership for the Arts and Humanities New York State Council on the Arts New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with City Council Humanities NY Each year the Art Start Portrait Project is supported by local community and corporate partners through in-kind donations.

art-start.org seemebecause.org