SOCIAL JUSTICE ART FOR A BETTER TOMORROW Every summer, Creative Art Works provides creative workforce development training to over 100 teens and young adults through the creation of large-scale public art and multimedia projects. As the pandemic unfolded early in 2020, and with New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program then in flux, we knew that we needed to move quickly in order to offer employment opportunities to young people; and so, CAW developed a Remote Digital Public Art Youth Employment Program and committed to providing part-time summer jobs to over 50 teens and young adults as direct hires. This was the first remote job for all of our Youth Apprentices (YA’s), and what a job it was! In addition to learning serious skills for the digital workplace, they grappled with challenging topics and crafted compelling messages about social justice issues, including racial and gender equality, animal rights, domestic abuse, child labor, climate change, family separation, mental health and drug addiction, and the rising cost of health care. While the work was virtual, this robust program packed a lot of real-life experience into six weeks. YA’s met daily via Zoom to discuss their work with CAW Teaching Artists and staff. Visiting guests from the graphic arts, branding and entertainment industries also provided expert critiques. By the end of the summer, each YA completed a personal digital portfolio consisting of four major components: a collection of inclusive stock photography; two social justice posters, and a video artist statement. The program wrapped up with two virtual culminating events which were well-attended by CAW board members, NYC school principals and teachers, and representatives from our program partners. Thirteen YA’s were honored with awards for best posters, teamwork, perseverance, and communication. One poster was featured on F.Y. Eye’s digital PSA Network of over 100 digital billboards located in high-traffic nonprofits throughout NYC. You can see all the portfolios on our website! www.creativeartworks.org/2020-social-justice-art.
Social Justice Posters
The theme of the first collection of posters was “For a Better Tomorrow.” YA’s were invited to imagine what a more just future might look like as our society rebuilds itself in the wake of the pandemic and in light of the Black Lives Matter movement. 16
