Through collaboration with mentor artists, participants consider the root causes of incarceration (as they intersect with racism, classism and other oppressions) and focus on the positive role youth voice can have in building a more just and equitable society. Experienced mentor artists lead four 8-12 week intensive project sessions per year in a variety of disciplines. During the sessions, partic
ipants meet twice a week, for two hours, to dialogue, create and share a meal. Supplementary weekend drop-in classes offer a way for youth to check out the program while they are waiting for the next session to begin. Sessions include:
• Artistic skill building with an emphasis on social practice;
• Discussion and learning rooted in principles of anti-racism and social justice;
• Individual and collaborative creative work; and
• Opportunities to give and receive feedback.
• Help lift up the power of young people of color, youth from low-income families & LGBTQA youth;
• Increase youth and community understanding of the histories and conditions that create racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism and other forms of oppression; and
• Enhance skills that help young people reflect on their social position, choices, and personal power, so they can stay out of jail.
• Detailed Program Description
Experienced mentor artists lead four 8-12 week intensive project sessions per year in a variety of disciplines. Sessions include:
• Artistic skill building with an emphasis on social practice;
• Discussion and learning rooted in principles of anti-racism and social justice;
• Individual and collaborative creative work; and
• Opportunities to give and receive feedback. Partner sites throughout King County host the program sessions, foster a community-centered approach to learning, and develop ongoing relationships with participants. In exchange for their creative work, youth receive community service credit and stipends that incentivize participation while helping to pay court fines and other expenses. Family members are engaged in the projects in various ways, including participation in hands-on activities. At the end of each session, youth lead and produce community-based events where they share their creativity, vision, and new abilities. Judges, juvenile probation counselors, attorneys, social workers, and youth advocates refer young people to the program. Creative Justice acknowledges that the court process compounds existing systemic burdens, such as poverty and racism, with fines and other requirements. Rather than penalizing youth for being late or missing a class, Creative Justice focuses on using incentives like stipends, relationships with mentor artists, and content relevant to their lives to keep participants engaged.
