SPEAK UP -
An educational program in arts and social engagement
Speak Up is a leadership and capacity-building program that includes a series of 12-20 weekly workshops that explore writing, music, rap and spoken word. The program involves an in-depth creative process and discussions regarding identity, belonging, power relations, violence, racism and social change. The dynamic educational process invites participants to acquire diverse creative tools including creative writing, body percussion, theater, musical recording, song, listening skills, voice work, improvisation and more.
Through the workshops, the young people acquire tools for self expression, emotional coping and articulation of the change they want to enact in their communities. The program combines personal development and writing of individual texts, with work in small groups and artistic co-creation. The educational process culminates in the creation of an original artistic product (usually a song and music video) by the young participants themselves.
