transcenDANCE Youth Arts Project

transcenDANCE Youth Arts Project's aim is to accomplish the following:

• To use movement, dance, written and spoken word, and creative journaling work to explore one’s voice and authentic expression
• To give teens a rich experience with peer collaboration
• To give teens the opportunity to be reflective about self in the context of the world around them
• To give teens the opportunity to work with local professional and practicing artists
• To connect young people to foster a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation as a young generation
• To break down barriers and preconceived ideas about others who come from different backgrounds and life circumstances
• To increase social emotional resiliency through the arts
• To have students see themselves as artists, leaders, community builders, and individuals capable of making a positive impact in the world

We hope that the disciplined and expressive art-making, social change curriculum, and therapeutic services youth engage in ignites their imaginations to what is possible, which in turn develops their grit and ingenuity --- characteristics needed to face life challenges. Our primary objectives are that students’ have a transformative experience through the three-tiered creative and holistic program that develops their leadership skills, social/emotional resilience and confidence to change the trajectories of their lives and positively impact their communities and create systematic change.