The Ocean is Calling is our first event under our Activating Public Spaces Initiative. This initiative was created to expand the pool of Artists/Arts Educators that we collaborate with and to expose our communities to different styles and voices through community art projects. Continued activation of currently underused and uninviting public spaces through free public art activities will engage, connect, and inform diverse groups of people, while also expanding the STEAM workshops we offer.
- Why?
In surveys conducted by both San Jose State and the San Jose Public Library, many San Jose community members requested more free art activities and safer streets at night.
- What?
A month long series of Friday night art events/installations and art workshops conducted as participatory art activities throughout San Jose. All events, workshops, and supporting activities will be free to the public.
- Where?
Areas like Fountain Alley in Downtown San Jose, under overpasses in East San Jose, and other underutilized or normally uninviting spaces.
- How?
We will collaborate with local Artists/Arts Educators to design and implement public art installations with workshops that engage the public and activate public spaces.
Outcomes
These projects will serve as an incubator for developing family and youth workshops held in our makerspace and at local libraries, community centers, and community festivals, fairs, and other events. Our goal is to provide public workshops at little or no cost to the high risk, low income and under-served population in East San Jose, while also activating public spaces throughout the city.
Since there will be multiple activities during each project we will also be able to offer additional leadership opportunities for our Youth Leaders. Our Youth Leader Program provides teens an opportunity to be teachers, versus learners, as they guide participants of all ages through various STEAM activities and projects. Teens receive ongoing training on new projects/activities to expand participation opportunities and program participation helps them to develop pre-employment and leadership skills, while also building confidence. This also provides opportunities for teens to engage with larger rings of their community, beyond their immediate neighborhoods, through participation in events throughout San Jose.
We are very excited about this initiative and are looking forward to planning and implementing additional projects, including new Public Art Projects, Park Prototyping, and Public Space Prototyping. We invite public comment and input on all of our activities and are always open to suggestions.
