Did you come across a particular reading/film/case study/event or exercise in class that interested you? Why did you find it interesting? What did you learn from it?
One of the presentations that stood out the most for me this semester was the guest speaker from Antyx Community Arts. I had never heard of this organization before this class. Richard Campbell was very passionate about the work that the organization has done so far and seemed excited about the growth that was happening in it as well. Antyx is a relatively new company that has very few staff. They use art, such as painting, theatre, and dance to bring youth together with a community development approach.
Richard Campbell talked a lot about the organization and how far it has come in the past little while. Antyx was formed when All Nations Theatre and Urban Youth Works united. There are many positive things about their programs. The newly formed organization offers great experiences for the youth to learn through the arts and work with new people. Through Antyx, teens are working toward a common goal as a team and broadening their social networks. I think that giving youth the chance to meet new and influential people is fantastic, especially in their teenage years. It provides them with positive support and relationships that they can hopefully rely on in years to come.
I believe that working with youth can really benefit a community. By using a community development approach, teens are taught leadership skills and teamwork. These skills are important as they are becoming adults. The art that is produced by the youth also brightens the rest of the community in a variety of ways. Murals and paintings can liven up the streets of a community while theatre gives other community members an opportunity to support the youth. Not only is Antyx giving youth some unique opportunities, but the other members of the community are benefiting as well.
I was excited to learn about Antyx because the organization seems to mix my passion for social work and theatre arts into one. I strongly believe that arts and extra-curricular activities can improve the quality of life for youth. I have been involved in dance throughout my whole life, and it has shaped who I am in many ways. Through dance, I have learned commitment, dedication, perseverance, and discipline. Working towards goals such as exams, competitions, and performances can teach a lot of skills that are useful for many aspects of life. Personally, dance gave me motivation and inspiration to work hard at other things too. It gave me confidence in myself because I learned that hard work pays off.
The Antyx Community Arts presentation stood out for me this semester. By working with the youth in a community to combine the arts and community development is an approach that I am passionate about. The youth that participate in the organization’s projects gain new skills, friends, and networks while the community gets the chance to see the talented individuals that live there. I think that this is a great approach to take for community development, and I would like to get involved with it in the near future.
No comments:
Post a Comment