neighborhoods, identity, and diversity project
Neighborhoods, Identity, and Diversity: expressing social and cultural identities of life in Houston area neighborhoods and schools project is a model for increasing arts access and equity across Houston communities.
Each of the ten identified complete communities provides cross-sector collaborative partners; this partnership builds and expands the arts to connect communities and effectively engage youth. This partnership creates a space for youth to be valued through the art-based and arts-integration learning process. The Young Audiences roster of highly trained artists reflects the diversity of Houston and the communities in which they reside and, through this partnership, empowers artists to connect and engage deeply with youth to support their educational and emotional development. Our school and community partners in this project will receive residencies, workshops, and performances led by local artists and arts partners.
The Neighborhoods, Identity, and Diversity project benefits artists living and working in Houston, families, and youth within the ten identified communities. Each year the arts-integration residencies will benefit approximately 4,230 K-12 youth across schools through artist and educator-led sessions that identify, reflect, and uplift their voices through creating art, experiencing art, and amplifying their unique expression. All residencies combine arts and educational concepts aligned with Texas State Standards (TEKS) to support and reinforce student learning and effective engagement.
Community Locations Include: Acres Homes, Alief-Westwood, Fort Bend Houston, Gulfton, Kashmere Gardens, Magnolia-Park Manchester, Near Northside, Second Ward, Sunnyside, and Third Ward.
For questions or inquiries please call (713) 520-9264 or email us.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Brave Little Company
“We were proud to be part of Young Audiences of Houston's Neighborhoods, Identity, and Diversity Project, working in Houston's Gulfton neighborhood. For this project, we shared an art form that originated in ancient Iraq and Syria - the art of macramé! We had an amazing time being creative!“
BenCheri Educational Center
“Thank you so much for providing something like this to the kids in Acres Homes. We try our best to get them engaged and active in their community. This was a great way for them to learn while having fun.”
Jose Sade, Mixteco Ballet Folklorico
“This is a very hardworking community with an outpouring of support for the Neighborhoods, Identity, and Diversity Project. This project allows students to stay occupied and busy through a beautiful art form and exposes them to culture in a way that is accessible.”
Manning Mpinduzi-Mott
“The Sunnyside community center that I worked at for this project was just absolutely wonderful. The children from the community were thrilled that I an African drummer from Senegal showed up and taught them African songs and African Stories. They just loved it!”