The 2008 Youth Arts Bursary Allows Teens to Create Video Artworks
The Images Festival, winner of one of the Canadian Art Foundation’s 2008 Youth Arts Bursary grants, organized artist-led video art workshops for youth in the Bleecker Street Housing Co-op in February and March 2009. “We wanted to give young people the opportunity to experiment with video as an art form,” says Rebecca Gimmi, Images Festival operations manager.
Designed to educate youth about the production, exhibition and dissemination of video art, and to offer hands-on experience developing short video works, the workshop was led by video artists Leslie Peters and Dara Gellman. “It was very inspiring,” says Gellman. “I most enjoyed the 'aha' moments when students responded to what they were learning with their own vision—the moment of connection when they realize that video, and creative practice in general, can be a vehicle to express their ideas.”
Over five weeks, 10 teens aged 12 to 15 worked with Peters and Gellman to produce their videos, which were exhibited this past April as part of the Images Festival. The first week was called Introduction to Video Art, followed by Research, Production, Post-production and Exhibition, and Completion.
“We used creative processes to teach students how to use visual images to express their ideas,” says Gellman. “For example, by imagining how the world might seem to a fly—small and very shaky.”
Two screenings were held, one as part of the festival’s “Off Screen” guided tours on Saturday, April 4, and the second at the housing co-op for the community. These events were well attended by the young artists, their family and friends. “It was clear how important this project was to the teens,” says Gimmi, “and it was really amazing to be welcomed into their worlds and shown their interests, dreams and concerns.”
Of the screening at the Bleecker Street Housing Co-op, Peters says, “The community response was amazing. The kids really got to share their accomplishments with their community and friends, who applauded resoundingly after each screening. The pride that the community had for these youth and the pride the youth felt in themselves was a beautiful thing to witness and be a part of.”
The project has inspired the Bleecker Street Co-op Filmmaking Program, which will open up the sessions to youth and adults of the co-op.
The participants’ videos are available for viewing or download on the Images iFpod player. Click www.imagesfestival.com/ifpod/
