BLACKOUT ARTS COLLECTIVE
Contributing Artists are:
Jennifer C. Armas
Andrea Atsuko Dunham
Imagine...
....the view from above a network of lights illuminating any major city in the world. The city’s brilliant glow contrasts sharply against the infinite blackness of space.
Imagine now that the same system has been shut down. What happened to the light? Where did all the power go? Back to where it came from all along.
The power was not within the system itself. It came from a power plant – a generator of power –
hidden somewhere out of view. When there is a blackout, we are reminded that any system without a generating force is powerless. The cultural and artistic expressions of communities of color have long been the generating force in the shaping of the arts in America and around the world.
*****
Mission:
The mission of the Blackout Arts Collective is to cultivate and empower the voices of people of color through the arts. BAC utilizes the arts as a tool to address both social and economic issues, and to develop viable solutions for the struggles facing our communities. BAC’s arts-in-education program works to enhance communication and engender self-esteem among young people.
*****
Summary:
The Blackout Arts Collective (BAC) is a non-profit organization that advocates and practices collaborative self-expression through the arts as means of activism and empowerment. Started in New York City in 1997, BAC’s founding members dedicated themselves to supporting the work of artists of color and to creating a dynamic arena for dialogue and exchange.
BAC produces regular showcases to standing-room only crowds, featuring the diverse talents of people of color performing spoken-word/poetry, dance, music, drama, visual art and more. BAC supports the work of emerging artists and builds social and political awareness through its monthly event: BLACKOUT.
The success of BLACKOUT has brought the organization to such popular venues as the Joseph Papp Public Theater, CBGB’s, Nell's and SOB’s. The dedication of its members and enthusiasm of its audience has allowed BAC to grow further, establishing a sister organization in Boston and Philadelphia, as well as increasing its recognition as a preeminent arts collective.
In 1999, BAC proudly launched its Youth Enrichment Program, bringing interactive BLACKOUTs to schools and community-based organizations. These programs introduce many forms of creative expressions to youth to develop the voices of our future generation.
*******
A BLACKOUT happens when the system fails us, when the artificial light fed into our homes and classrooms, work and social spaces, is disconnected. When we discover the structure has left us powerless, we have to find means outside of that structure to find our way. We must reacquaint ourselves with the creativity passed through generations to make sense of the infinite space before us. We must empower ourselves.
In a BLACKOUT, we ask "How do you interpret the world?" Do you see it, visually? In a collage of colored strokes? Do you hear it, aurally? In a booming bass behind break beats? Do you feel it, kinesthetically? In the slow push of palms upon the air?
In a BLACKOUT, we ignite our creative energies to liberate ourselves.
Other contributing artists from the Blackout Philly collective include: Walidah Imarisha, Kevin Ramirez, KMZ, and Poetica.
For more info go to www.blackoutartscollective.com
....the view from above a network of lights illuminating any major city in the world. The city’s brilliant glow contrasts sharply against the infinite blackness of space.
Imagine now that the same system has been shut down. What happened to the light? Where did all the power go? Back to where it came from all along.
The power was not within the system itself. It came from a power plant – a generator of power –
hidden somewhere out of view. When there is a blackout, we are reminded that any system without a generating force is powerless. The cultural and artistic expressions of communities of color have long been the generating force in the shaping of the arts in America and around the world.
*****
Mission:
The mission of the Blackout Arts Collective is to cultivate and empower the voices of people of color through the arts. BAC utilizes the arts as a tool to address both social and economic issues, and to develop viable solutions for the struggles facing our communities. BAC’s arts-in-education program works to enhance communication and engender self-esteem among young people.
*****
Summary:
The Blackout Arts Collective (BAC) is a non-profit organization that advocates and practices collaborative self-expression through the arts as means of activism and empowerment. Started in New York City in 1997, BAC’s founding members dedicated themselves to supporting the work of artists of color and to creating a dynamic arena for dialogue and exchange.
BAC produces regular showcases to standing-room only crowds, featuring the diverse talents of people of color performing spoken-word/poetry, dance, music, drama, visual art and more. BAC supports the work of emerging artists and builds social and political awareness through its monthly event: BLACKOUT.
The success of BLACKOUT has brought the organization to such popular venues as the Joseph Papp Public Theater, CBGB’s, Nell's and SOB’s. The dedication of its members and enthusiasm of its audience has allowed BAC to grow further, establishing a sister organization in Boston and Philadelphia, as well as increasing its recognition as a preeminent arts collective.
In 1999, BAC proudly launched its Youth Enrichment Program, bringing interactive BLACKOUTs to schools and community-based organizations. These programs introduce many forms of creative expressions to youth to develop the voices of our future generation.
*******
A BLACKOUT happens when the system fails us, when the artificial light fed into our homes and classrooms, work and social spaces, is disconnected. When we discover the structure has left us powerless, we have to find means outside of that structure to find our way. We must reacquaint ourselves with the creativity passed through generations to make sense of the infinite space before us. We must empower ourselves.
In a BLACKOUT, we ask "How do you interpret the world?" Do you see it, visually? In a collage of colored strokes? Do you hear it, aurally? In a booming bass behind break beats? Do you feel it, kinesthetically? In the slow push of palms upon the air?
In a BLACKOUT, we ignite our creative energies to liberate ourselves.
Other contributing artists from the Blackout Philly collective include: Walidah Imarisha, Kevin Ramirez, KMZ, and Poetica.
For more info go to www.blackoutartscollective.com
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