Youmedia- Love it!!!!!

Thanks for posting Paulina, I've walked past this area many times never knowing what it was- but always seeing many kids. Youmedia is really amazing.....makes me want to be able to spend some time there to record some videos and play around with some tracks. For kids to become "makers and creators of things, rather than just consumers" is a great way to put it- and actually putting this goal into practice is even better. I really enjoy seeing spaces as such designated only for youth but I think more of them need to exist . It's not only empowering for youth but it also gives them an opportunity that they normally wouldn't have, and offers an alternative to being on the streets.

"Next mayor needs arts agenda" Response

Thanks for posting this article, Devan. I don’t know too much about Chicago and its campaign and mayoral history since I just moved here, but what I found most captivating was Ronne Hartfield’s quote:

"Orchestras go out into communities to play Beethoven without any attempt to connect it to the lives of the people." Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony, for example, is "all about celebrating nature, all about celebrating the country," she said, adding, "Get [young people] to talk about their experiences with the country, so they could hear something they know in the music."

I love this quote and strongly agree with Hartfield's message. The bigger picture is addressed, rather than merely issues related to orchestras or even music in general.  This concept should be applied in every classroom. She goes on to explain that, “The arts are therapeutic and engaging.” Again, this sense of connection and therapy can be linked to many aspects of life, especially if youth are given a voice. This offers an opportunity to relate what they hear, see, feel, and do to something they actually know.