For the past several months, three teens have been working diligently to produce YOUTH: Teen Arts and Opportunities Fair, an entirely youth-created event. This year, the Teen Arts and Opportunities Fair’s focus is hip-hop, a genre familiar to many teens and one that can serve as a gateway to the rest of the arts world. During the course of the fair, attendees will participate in hip-hop workshops, such as Intro to DJing, talk to several of TeenTix’s partners, and listen to well-known teen artists perform live. The event will culminate in a hip-hop performance featuring some of Seattle’s premier youth dancers. Event Timeline: 4:30 – 6:30: Tabling, pop-up performances, and workshops 6:30 – 7: Doors open for dance performance, dinner is served 7 – 8:30: Dance performance Event Information: Hip-hop, with its powerful tie to social justice, is an art form that sparks societal change. Hip-hop dance, specifically, is a valuable tool for teens to be exposed to. However, dance can be expensive to participate in or to experience as an audience member. By hosting a free event, the project leads hope to connect with youth who might not otherwise have the chance to participate in dance and showcase the power of hip-hop. As well, this event will serve as a platform for youth to perform in a safe environment, allowing other teens to learn more and celebrate their peers and their accomplishments. Finally, this is an event by teens, for teens. Because the leaders of this Fair are youth who already participate deeply in Seattle’s art scene, the Teen Arts and Opportunities Fair will cater to the needs and desires of teens who might not otherwise engage with an event like this. The teen leaders hope the Fair’s activities will work to build a community of youth, whether they consider themselves an artist or not, who have connected and learned from one another. The students involved are all members of The New Guard, TeenTix’s youth board, and have secured funding, food donations, space, and performers for the 2019 fair. The project leads were inspired by the example of New Guard alum Abbey Scobee, who produced the original fair last May. This year, they hope to put their own creative spin on the already successful event. About the Youth Leaders: YOUTH: Teen Arts and Opportunities Fair, was visualized by three members of TeenTix’s New Guard: Kaylyn Ready, Anya Shukla, and […]
