Awesome Foundation - Projects

Boston, MA – Gnomon: animated shade

2016-09-14T00:00:00Z

A gnomon is a structure that casts a meaningful shadow, for example, the blade of a sundial or the tip of an obelisk. In the original Greek, "gnomon" means "one who discerns or examines". It is a 6000+ year-old technology. To update it for the 21st century, we came up with a way to CNC-machine a double gnomon so that instead of casting a static black-and-white silhouette, it produces a dynamic (=animated) continuous-tone (=greyscale) image. We just shipped a 15' interactive sculpture to Burning Man in which 2-4 people ride on swings to activate a gnomon. The gnomon casts an animated image of a skull, which turns to look at each participant as they swing forward toward it (see project videos on website). This sculpture will be exhibited on the Kendall Square plaza when it comes back from the playa. We'll have docents around to offer rides to the public and explain the technology and its connection to ancient art and architecture. For that, we'd like to cut additional gnomon animations to swap into the sculpture -- skulls play well at Burning Man; but for Cambridge we'd like to have some more locally resonant designs. In particular, we hope to use this opportunity to show the art form's versatility to representatives from the city, in support of a proposal to put gnomon-style animated shade screens into public amenities such as the roofs of bus-stop shelters and shade-structures in parks.

Asheville, NC (Inactive) – Rights Of Passage Adventure Weekend

2016-09-13T00:00:00Z

For millennia, cultures around the world have marked boys’ transition into manhood with rites of passage. These rites provided a framework within which boys were empowered to marry freedom with personal responsibility, to take on roles of accountability within their societies and to authentically realize their adulthood. These rites were integral to sustainable communities., and yet most of the world today has seen their disappearance. The omission has created societies of uninitiated men who are suffering from high rates of depression, anger and is contributing to rising rates of violent crime, gang membership, drug use and fatherless homes.. Attempting to occupy the void, boys incorporate fictitious expressions of masculinity that often include violence, materialism, misogyny and domination. Journeymen Asheville’s mission is to serve as a local chapter for the remediation of this widespread societal illness—to offer mentorship and rites of passage opportunities to at-risk boys that support their transformation to becoming men of integrity. The Rights Of Passage Adventure Weekend (ROPAW) is a two day and two night event held in a natural setting, where boys are guided through a challenging journey of self-discovery during which they are given the opportunity to let go of old patterns that no longer serve them while taking a creative role in declaring what they want to live for and what kind of men they want to be. Through physical, mental and emotional tests, these boys—or “Journeymen”—discover inner resources that they may not have been aware of. We strongly believe that this program is needed now more than ever. Social/political/environmental struggles point to a global displacement of the young male psyche which can be healed best through holistic approaches that incorporate psychological, spiritual and social elements. ROPAW empowers at-risk boys at a critical time in their life, posing a salient potential to transform both the initiates and their communities.

Seattle, WA – Odd Babes Presents

2016-09-13T00:00:00Z

In 2013 I applied to the Awesome Foundation for a project called the Comedy Womb, a comedy showed aimed at getting more women to comedy. I didn't get the grant, but we did get $400 from the Awesome Foundation after a pitch off at your anniversary party. The Comedy Womb went on to become one of the best and most well known shows in Seattle. I handed it over after nearly three years to a group of feminists who are now running the Comedy Nest, a comedy space with the same hate-free guidelines, and a goal of diversifying Seattle comedy. This new project is one by me and two women to extend the dream of having Seattle be a space for stand up comedy that has a diversity of voices and also contributes to a culture of inclusivity, and positive action. The Odd Babes (myself, Aisha Farhoud and Shannon Koyano) are going to have a monthly stand up comedy show to bring in national headliners and pay them while putting the locals who have been working hard these past four years and need a place to do longer sets in front of professional comedians and the audiences that we built in the last four years who won't go to comedy clubs because the environment can be so degrading and toxic. There are large scale shows in Seattle that bring in big comics, but they rarely put up the locals we'd like to see on stage. Odd Babes Presents will change that, and hope to get money in the hands of comics, and use local venues such as the Royal Room in Columbia City, to help to build a thoughtful comedy community. We believe strongly that Seattle could have one of the best and most progressive comedy scenes in the country. This is how we want to help make that a reality.

Prince Edward County, ON (Inactive) – Feast - the County Free Food Festival

2016-09-12T00:00:00Z

Imagine the most inclusive, accessible day of celebrating food possible – a day of free food, information sharing and inspiration towards the goal of a sustainably well fed community! My idea is to organize two free food festivals: one in August and one in January (when many people especially struggle with access to food). Exact dates to be determined. This would be a “food for everybody” event, with a focus on tasty, inexpensive, healthy food and on education, including a gathering of all community food resources. The summer festival would be held both outdoors and indoors in Benson Park and the Picton Town Hall across the street. The fall event could be in Wellington, venue to be determined. What might there be at this festival? -Free food sampling (donated by restaurants, food purveyors and farmers) - workshops and roundtables on, for example, stretching food dollars, cooking skills, great kid’s school lunch ideas, etc. - cooking demos with recipe cost breakdowns - mini-mart where people could come and “shop” for free (a kind of art installation free store) - speaker’s corner video booth for people to have their say about food (especially their struggles with it) - children’s snack-making bar - kitchen equipment swap table - cookbook swap table - recipe exchange wall - hourly draws for food gift cards from local grocers An important component would be having local food resources information booths, hopefully with interactive activities like questionnaires or quizzes. Food banks, Food to Share, Fresh for All, the health unit, The Hub, Slow Food, The Good Food Box Program, Food for Learning, County Orchard project and other helpful folks would all be invited. A number of people have already committed to helping with this great community builder. Moreover, some people who struggle with access to healthy food are also interested in being involved. To be held on a weekday, from 12 noon to 9pm to allow the largest number of community residents to participate.

Prince Edward County, ON (Inactive) – The Incredible Edible Shed

2016-09-12T00:00:00Z

Have you heard?! The municipality has provided land at Delhi park and a one-time seed grant to begin a resource and demonstration community garden to inspire and support the proliferation of community gardens in neighbourhoods throughout the County. The garden in Picton will be a place for the whole community to come together to learn about innovative organic community gardening practices. It will showcase different models of community gardens (Allotments, communal, free to pick etc), and provide the benefits that community gardens are known to provide: -A sense of community, friendship and improved health through gardening -Access to healthy food for food banks and other local food groups -A pesticide free environment, water conservation, composting -Learning opportunities for novice and experienced gardeners. -A chance for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy an activity together. But lots of towns have community gardens- we think ours need to be unique and AWESOME. Which is why we are asking Awesome PEC and Slow Food to help us build THE INCREDIBLE EDIBLE SHED! The Incredible Edible Shed will will be a straw bale structure built by the community, for the community. The shed will itself be a demonstration of sustainable natural building techniques (strawbale, cordwood, living roof etc.) and will be built by volunteers facilitated by local teacher, and graduate of Fleming College's Sustainable Building Design and Construction program, Keri Nelson. Natural building methods like this are great for community buildings, not only for their small ecological footprint but also because it's really easy for volunteers of all ages to build. But Will it Really Be Edible? The building will in fact incorporate vertical veggie gardens and a shaded patio (to serve community meals/get out of sun). The Incredible Edible Shed will be open to passersby to help themselves to whatever is ready for picking. Oh, and it will store our tools too!

Prince Edward County, ON (Inactive) – Prince Edward County Pet Food Bank

2016-09-12T00:00:00Z

Open since 2013. Created to support pet owners in time of short term financial crisis. Solely operated by volunteers and donations.

Rio de Janeiro (Inactive) – Rádio Memória - Lembranças musicais e seus afetos

2016-09-08T00:00:00Z

O projeto Rádio Memória foi elaborado a partir da constatação do pequeno número de projetos e oficinas voltados para a faixa etária a partir dos 60 anos e da percepção da necessidade de uma oferta mais expressiva de atividades e vivências direcionadas para a manutenção da saúde física e mental desse grupo específico. A Terceira Idade é uma época da vida onde as memórias individuais e coletivas gradualmente começam a se esvair, pois as atribulações e responsabilidades da vida cotidiana diminuem sensivelmente e uma maior fragilidade da saúde física acaba por inibir a participação constante em atividades sociais, fazendo com que a ociosidade aumente e a solidão, por fim, se instale. Esse processo gradativo de afastamento social e o esmaecimento de sentido e significado da existência possibilitam e estimulam o surgimento de diversas enfermidades características dessa faixa etária como o Alzheimer, o Parkinson e diversos outros processos demenciais e depressivos. Baseado nisso, o principal objetivo deste projeto é auxiliar no resgate da autoestima e da autovalorização do sujeito, propiciando momentos vívidos de reconstrução dos afetos e o despertar da alegria de viver, a partir da elaboração de uma trilha sonora cronológica, criada coletivamente a cada encontro. Letras de música, representativas de determinadas épocas, servirão de base para o reforço da teia da memória e, a partir delas, será desenvolvido o trabalho conjunto de resgate e socialização das lembranças individuais e coletivas de cada etapa da vida. O projeto Rádio Memória pretende estabelecer um espaço abrangente de representatividade e reafirmação da Terceira Idade, onde seja possível trocar e reafirmar memórias, afetos, significados e sentidos individuais e coletivos, a partir de uma escuta empática do facilitador e dos participantes e da autonomia para co-criar novas possibilidades de estar no mundo e se expressar enquanto sujeitos de suas próprias histórias.

Singapore – Solve Education!

2016-09-07T00:00:00Z

Most of the modern creations are coming from the economy based on knowledge. In a knowledge-based economy, we need knowledge, but it is difficult to attain knowledge without education. Solve Education! (SE!) is a not-for-profit organization that is committed to make high quality education accessible to everyone. Our target beneficiaries are people who do not have access to schools or quality education. The 2016 UNESCO report shows that 263million children and youth are out of school. 100.8million of them live in Southern Asia. 62million of them live in conflict areas. (http://www.uis.unesco.org/Education/Pages/oosc-data-release-2016.aspx) On top of children and adolescents, there are also close to 800million adults who are illiterate. To add to the numbers, there are a significant number of children in school who are not receiving quality education, particularly in rural areas. Using the current approach of building brick-and-mortar schools, it will cost an extra $40 billion to provide 12 years of education to everyone in low and lower-middle income countries. In recent years, the education aid funding from donor countries has decreased. (http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0023/002322/232205e.pdf) With this challenge in mind, SE! aims to revolutionize the delivery of education through gamification and artificial intelligence. Leveraging on technology, SE! will be able to deliver quality education to everyone in low and lower-middle income countries in an extremely cost efficient way, in form of an education game that runs on low end android devices with intermittent internet connectivity. SE! will be an open platform for content providers like universities, teachers, outsourcing companies to upload their content. The content will be fed into the games of the users, as they learn through playing. The game will be free to play for all users. The game is currently in the closed beta stage.

San Francisco, CA – Mobility Scooter Cruise Control Circuit!

2016-09-06T00:00:00Z

Please see the videos I made for this project here: https://youtu.be/cJlvoGe_nG0, and here: https://youtu.be/ayKPxF8_fws This project is designed to help persons with disabilities who: a) have trouble walking and need a mobility scooter assistive device and b) have arthritis, carpal tunnel, or other hand / arm disabilities. It is a hack I implemented in my own mobility scooter out of sheer necessity many years ago and has since grown in popularity among the my friends with disabilities (aka my crip fam): It's a simple Cruise Control Hack! I have been using a purely mechanical version for years and have designed this new board using 74 digital logic. The entire thing should cost <$10 and will prove a wonderful alternative for those people wanting to explore the world, live, work, and play but are currently thwarted by the limited use scooters on the market. The idea is simple: install this board between the throttle potentiometer and the CPU as well as the 'key' signal which turns the mobility scooter on. It will switch between a 'dummy load' couple of rheostats that have the throttle at 'full speed' All mobility scooters on the market have an addition knob for speed control which can then be used instead of the painful squeezing of the handle bars. The entire thing turns on and off with a giant button, and a second cutoff button can be installed for safety. The circuit uses about .40 cents worth of ICs. They are: 2x 74HC053, 1x 74HC14, and 1x &4HC74 Then there are: 2x Trim Potentiometers, 2x LEDs, and 2x Buttons I have also been testing and thinking a lot about safety implementation. I hope to invest more R&D into a suitable proximity sensor setup so the cruise control circuit will automatically cut off the motor before running into something. This is very feasible, though there are many different sensors I would love to test out, such as the fancy long-range models that Sharp makes, like here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sharp-2Y0A700-F-GP2Y0A700K0F-100-550-cm-Long-Distance-Measuring-IR-Sensor-/112010051152?var=&hash=item1a1451be50:m:mATKXM-UHKD-v4UMgpXyP5w It's a remarkably low-cost design with people's low budget (living on disability welfare) kept firmly in mind. hella crips gonna be driving around more! and in less pain. I mean, I think thats a lotta awesome!

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – MotherCoders Solidarity Scholarship for Queer Moms

2016-09-05T00:00:00Z

MotherCoders is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to on-ramping women with kids to careers in technology so they can thrive in a digital economy. Through our signature tech orientation program, MotherCoders has helped mothers gain the technical skills, industry knowledge, and peer and professional support they need to confidently advance toward new careers in tech. With a part-time schedule, on-site childcare, and a non-profit model, the MotherCoders tech orientation program is truly one of a kind in the technology training and workforce development landscape. We just rolled out a scholarship for queer moms to participate in our program for free (normally $3,000 with on-site childcare). This scholarship is something that had already been in the works with Women Catalysts and Lesbians Who Tech prior to the mass shooting in Orlando, FL this past Sunday. However, given what's happened, we feel it's more important than ever that we support the LGBTQ community by helping queer moms and their families. In addition to a gender wage gap and a motherhood penalty, queer moms also face homophobia and transphobia. We started this scholarship to show our commitment to helping all moms thrive in the new economy, regardless of sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, class, and age so long as they identify as being women in a way that's meaningful to them and are caring for at least 1 child age 17 and under.

Sarnia (Inactive) – Cyber Seniors

2016-09-04T00:00:00Z

For a quick overview of this project, please watch either of these youtube videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ov1Ue_vWoU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6ANQ_jEOgM Here's how the program will work: 1. Recruit students from local high school with the lure of volunteer hours 2. Partner with Fair Winds Lodge to recruit seniors who would like to learn to use the internet and social media. (partnerships with Northern & Fair Winds already established) 3. Match students with the seniors and run a program once a week for 8 weeks at Fair Winds where students will teach and guide the seniors to use the internet. 4. Provide a front-end training session for the students providing learning materials, teaching methods, and tips. 5. The program will first teach internet connection (wifi), safety, and source credibility, and then move onto google searches, open an email account, Facebook and Instagram, Skype, and Youtube. I will create the curriculum and make learning guides for participant use. That's the official curriculum. But the real glory is in the hidden curriculum. This is a win-win situation. Benefits to Seniors: • Ability to communicate with their family and friends, see pictures posted on Facebook • Follow their interests on youtube or through google searches • Learn things by self-research • Create a bond with a teenager to learn more about that generation Benefits to Students: • Volunteer hours • Valuable experience teaching, mentoring and working with seniors • Learn valuable old-fashioned communication and soft skills • Learn about a past generation Time Frame • Start recruiting participants in September during the second week of school. • A police check is required so we want to get those started as soon as possible as there is usually a backlog in September • Planning for program to start in October and run for 8 weeks

Oakland, CA (Inactive) – 7TH ANNUAL EAST BAY ALTERNATIVE BOOK AND ZINE FEST

2016-09-02T00:00:00Z

The East Bay Alternative Book and Zine Fest (EBABZ) is an annual celebration of the accessible and independent publications known as 'zines'. This 8-hour event encourages the Public, Berkeley City College (BCC) Students and Faculty to engage in a marketplace forum , tabling personal and collaborative projects. Zines have become a cornerstone in alternative information share, EBABZ fosters empowerment through artistic professionalism alongside +100 writers and artists, workshops and speakers, traditionally hosted for the past six years at BCC. Now in our seventh year, EBABZ still operates as an all-volunteer based organization, dedicated to maintaining a platform prioritizing alternative education for and by our Youth, LGBTQ identities, people of color, and other underrepresented communities. The relationships strengthened between the significant population of zine makers with the Oakland Public Library, Bay Area non-profits, Alameda County public schools, and other community groups have ties in the community have been upheld and will continue to be exercised by EBABZ.

Annapolis, NS (Inactive) – Young Company Fall Theatre Series

2016-09-02T00:00:00Z

“I want to be involved in a production!” – These are the words of a young, budding thespian who attended a workshop on improvisation earlier this summer. Throughout July and August, those aged 10-18 were invited to take part in Young Company Theatre Days: The Place to Act Out!, a workshop series where community leaders shared their theatre arts expertise and enthusiasm with young participants. Our organization, Young Company Productions (YCP) hosted nine free workshops in Annapolis Royal on a variety of topics ranging from The Art of Auditioning to Scriptwriting and a backstage tour of King’s Theatre. This series was the first in what we hope will be a resurgence in young people’s involvement in theatre in our community. With another school year around the corner, we want to build on the momentum of our summer program by offering a series of theatre sessions this fall. Our Awesome project will provide 8 weeks of drama workshop sessions for teens and pre-teens, under the Young Company banner and will include a final production open to parents and community members. The Awesome funding ensures that the workshops will remain free and accessible for all participants.

North Minneapolis, MN – North Side 'Zine

2016-09-01T00:00:00Z

I would like to collect poetry, stories,art, etc from Northside residents and put it in a zine format and distribute it for free. The purpose of the project is to showcase the beautiful talent that we have in North Mpls. I would like to have a couple of days or events where people can come and create art.

Atlanta, GA (Inactive) – Ba'beez 'R US - Self Esteem Dolls for Girls

2016-09-01T00:00:00Z

Ba'beez R' Us is an initiative that uses handmade art dolls to boost the self esteem of a diverse population of young girls who do not fit the idealogy of beauty, according to the status quo. We live in a society that overlooks the wide spectrum of beautiful. Often, it is young girls, who do not fit the mold of what is socially accepted, who are most affected. In addition to being under-recognized, they are teased and body shamed for their own unique form of pretty. Many times, the result is that they do not see themselves. The doll-making workshop reinforces positive self image in young girls of all orientation, race and ethnicity, who may have insecurities about their own physical appearance (e.g., having alopecia or short hair, freckles, buck-teeth, overweight, skinny, albino, over-development). The project goal is to provide a safe space for discourse that will change this narrative.

Orlando, FL – Beautified Electrical Boxes

2016-09-01T00:00:00Z

We are hoping to secure funds to paint additional electrical boxes in the community. This project adds curb appeal to what is otherwise a bit of an eyesore to the community. The painted boxes draw attention in a good way and brighten up the area while showcasing the talents of local artists. The painted boxes could potentially help the value of homes in the area while also discouraging graffiti.

Minas Gerais (Inactive) – Arquitetura na Periferia

2016-08-31T00:00:00Z

O projeto visa a melhoria da moradia de mulheres moradoras das periferias, por meio de um processo onde são apresentadas às práticas e técnicas de projeto e planejamento de obras e recebem um microfinanciamento para que conduzam com autonomia e sem desperdícios as reformas de suas casas. Mais do que oferecer um produto, buscamos favorecer a autonomia das participantes, ampliando sua capacidade de análise, discussão, prospecção, planejamento e cooperação, o que por fim leva a um aumento de sua autoestima e confiança. O projeto possui as seguintes premissas básicas: Todas as atividades são realizadas em GRUPO, assim é possível que as participantes se ajudem, se incentivem e criem laços de confiança; As participantes são exclusivamente MULHERES - a proposta visa contribuir para a inclusão da mulher no âmbito das decisões acerca da construção do espaço de moradia, área atualmente dominada pelos homens; Criação de uma POUPANÇA conjunta que será utilizada na compra de materiais e na contratação de serviços para realização das obras; MICROFINANCIAMENTO - cada participante recebe uma pequena quantia em dinheiro para complementar a poupança e cobrir os gastos com as obras; AUTOGESTÃO – o processo é gerido pelas próprias participantes, assim tornam-se para além de beneficiárias, protagonistas nesse processo; ABRANGÊNCIA - a proposta envolve todas as etapas da melhoria da casa, desde a concepção do projeto, o planejamento e a execução da obra e o seu financiamento; NEGÓCIO SOCIAL - a proposta consiste em um modelo de negócio social que pode ser ampliado com a criação de novos grupos de mulheres, na medida em que o dinheiro do microfinanciamento é recolhido.

Melbourne (Inactive) – Complimentary Caravan

2016-08-31T00:00:00Z

Firstly, I should let you know that I am as serious as a dinosaur! Complimentary Caravan is my latest community arts project. It provides people with a space to consider what it is to give and also receive a compliment. I tested out this idea at the Castlemaine Village Festival in June and got a great response. A week before the event, I recorded ‘compliments’ at the local library from passersby who were asked to contribute a spoken compliment about someone they admire. The result was a beautiful ten minute soundtrack of heartfelt words of admiration and gratitude - overflowing with sincerity as they were all spoken about a real person. Written compliments were also collected through a local community Facebook group. I wrapped up these printed compliments with a pistachio nut - bonbon style! A ‘complimentary nut’! (I couldn’t resist that joke!) On the the day of the event, I set up in a caravan and welcomed guests to snuggle inside and soak up the soundtrack. It was a very touching experience for listeners with several people admitting to crying (happy tears!) while listening. Hearing the compliments has an interesting effect on people. Even though you know the compliments are not for you, you can still enjoy them as if they are. I am now fine-tuning this idea and approaching councils and festivals (Melbourne and regional Victoria) about creating a Complimentary Caravan for different events. The emphasis will always be on working with compliments collected from that local community. It could work with the general public or could also focus on a particular sector of the community - e.g. disengaged teenagers; school students, etc. At lot of research has been done on the benefits of compliments and I am interested in the mental health aspect of this work as well as seeing it as an ‘arts project’. I have designed a small caravan on a 6x4trailer that is currently being built by a friend. I will paint it and add comfortable seating, lighting and speakers.

Stockholm (Inactive) – Sopköket

2016-08-31T00:00:00Z

Sopköket creates supply chains without waste. They turn surplus food into delicious meals sold to businesses and customers. Oh, they also employe marginalized groups (focus newly arrived refugees), operate in otherwise unutilized kitchens and take usage of many types of resource waste. Awesome ey? Buying their meals, as a company ordering catering or as a consumer, you contribute to a sustainable environment without waste. Today food waste stands for 10 % of the worlds entire CO2 emissions = 1,3 billion tons of food. At the same time Sweden and Europe has faced it's largest immigration stream in a long time, with great difficulty integrating these newly arrived people in an efficient and sustainable way. Also, a big waste contributor is the resource waste of furniture and utensil retailers. As well as the many kitchens which stands out of use several hours a day. Through different partnerships and collaborations cross industries, Sopköket helps reducing waste in all forms listed above, focusing mainly on providing healthy meals made out of surplus food. Relying on these kinds of unutilized resources, available everywhere, makes this project very scalable. Collaboration is key in the fight against waste.

Jumbos (Inactive) – Public Harmony

2016-08-30T00:00:00Z

Public Harmony is a new Tufts student group that unites music and service, bringing Tufts musicians into the community to perform at venues including assisted living facilities and shelters in Tufts’ surrounding communities. Last spring, our pilot group performed twice at St. Francis House, Boston’s largest day shelter, and once at The Women’s Lunch Place, a women’s shelter in Downtown Boston. During the coming year, we will continue to offer concerts at these venues, as well as others, increasing access to live music where opportunity is limited and offering Tufts students the chance to collaborate and perform with like-minded peers. We have submitted the "New Student Organization Application Form" and look forward to meeting with Tufts Community Union-Judiciary in the fall to gain official recognition by the university. Our pilot group included ten musicians specializing in voice, cello, piano, and guitar, and already, we have gathered the names and email addresses of over 75 students interested in joining us in the coming year. Public Harmony not only addresses a need for students wishing to continue to make music at the college level in a meaningful and rewarding way but also fosters community, bringing volunteers together for dress rehearsals, meetings, and performances, all with the purpose of spreading joy through song in the Greater Boston area.

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – Black Women in Medicine

2016-08-29T00:00:00Z

Black Women in Medicine honors Black women doctors around the country who work diligently in all facets of medicine. By telling the stories of women who have persevered in medical fields, in part by overcoming barriers linked to race and gender, the film provides audiences with visions of success and fuel for self-actualization. Showcasing the most dynamic collection of stories of Black women in medicine ever assembled, this film is designed to inspire minority youth to enter the field of medicine despite challenges they may face. Approximately one in four persons currently living in the U.S. is Black, and the number is steadily increasing. By contrast, Blacks represent only 4.5% of the physician workforce under 40. The percentage of female minority doctors is even smaller. As minority doctors are more likely to provide care to minority, undeserved, and disadvantaged communities, their under-representation is a problem with potentially fatal consequences. Barriers separating youth of color from careers in medicine must be addressed if we are to foster a medical workforce that better reflects the diversity of the society it serves. Black Women in Medicine amplifies the stories of trailblazing women and brings them within reach of those who most need to hear them. As we follow these stories, we journey through America’s sociopolitical evolution concerning gender equality and cultural diversification of professions. These narratives tell stories of excellence and perseverance that engage, inspire and motivate, planting seeds of aspiration in the minds of future doctors. As former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders says in the film, "You can't be what you can't see." Black Women in Medicine replaces negative imagery – mainstream media’s false and debasing historical narrative regarding race, ethnicity, gender and character – with positive images of successful Black female doctors.

Alaska (Inactive) – Central Urban Farm

2016-08-29T00:00:00Z

My original question was: can Anchorage be sustainable? I really don't think it can, Alaskans are so independent and in Anchorage, like most other cities in America I'm told, people don't talk to their neighbors. Coming from Fairbanks it was a little foreign for me. Instead of bemoaning the fact, I began to organize an urban sustainability course (aka permaculture) in Anchorage. I got Lisa DePiano, from U.Mass Amherst to come and teach it with me. The amazing thing was that Central Lutheran Church at 15th and Cordova agreed to allow us to turn their property into an urban farm during the course. As it happens they have many, many homeless folks that hang out there and are welcomed on the property. Having a farm there, the congregation said, would just allow them or anyone else to come by and get food as they need it. We just finished phase one on Saturday night: the 7,000 sq. foot food forest. Phase two will begin next summer with building the annual garden beds. Phase three will be honey bees and a composting business. My favorite quote from Saturday was from Tony Knowles, "That doesn't look like MY garden." What we would like are some interpretive signs. Most people haven't seen berms and swales, they don't know what Good King Henry is or how good it tastes. So signs would be great, but... Maybe more importantly we are trying to figure out fencing, so that the moose don't turn it into their private munching grounds. Maybe small fences to keep moose out, but make sure the homeless don't feel fenced out.

Washington, DC – NHDA Youth and Young Adult Hand Dance Symposium

2016-08-29T00:00:00Z

The National Hand Dance Association is sponsoring its 2nd Youth and Young Adult Hand Dance Symposium on Saturday, October 29, 2016, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center, 2730 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, Washington, DC. The event is FREE and opened to youth and young adults from ages 10 years old to 25 years old. Priority registration will be given to youth residents of Ward 7 and Ward 8. These are neighborhoods that need positive activities for its underserved youth and for youth who may not have access to the arts. This symposium gives voice to the young generation of hand dancers who are making this 60 year old social dance tradition, their own. Hand Dance is a contemporary swing style partner dance and is the Official Dance of the District of Columbia by Resolution of the DC Council. The Youth and Young Adult Hand Dance Symposium will host a number of workshops in introducing young people to hand dance and support the growth of those who hand dance. It is important to continue the legacy of Hand Dance by cultivating a new generation of young dancers. One day workshops will include hand dance classes for the youth and their parents, a workshop in dance floor etiquette as the dance encourages positive social growth and development, a hand dance music appreciation workshop, a group discussion forum on the opinions of this new generation. Our newest workshop will be a workshop "So You Want To Be A DJ?" Our goal is to cultivate a new and younger generation of hand dance DJs, as the current hand dance DJs are older and out of tune with the new and contemporary music that young hand dancers prefer. This hands on workshop will be open young people ages 16-25. The workshop will be taught by 2 seasoned hand dance DJs as instructors for the topics 1) Introduction to DJ gear and equipment, 2) Understanding Hand Dance music (R&B, Pop, Caribbean, International, Country, Techno-pop, etc) and 3) playing for a hand dance social event

Newcastle – Frontline Yoga-trauma aware yoga for the frontline

2016-08-26T00:00:00Z

Frontline Yoga offers free trauma aware classes for police, paramedics, firefighters, defence people, hospital staff and a number of other industries. Classes are also offered for the frontline support network such as friends and family. Classes are taught in a very specific manner to ensure conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression and trauma are not worsened. Class guidelines are based on empirical studies and research done into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), neurological function and response and how Yoga can help manage the symptoms. Over the last 3 years the association's founder has been volunteering her particular style of Yoga on RAAF bases, with Soldier On as well as a number of other venues. Feedback has been very encouraging, some of the participants report better sleep, a sense of calm and peace as well as gaining a sense of support and community. Word has spread and now teachers all over Australia want to offer a similar service in their community. Several ex-military turned Yoga teachers, experienced Yoga teachers and professionals have come together to create a comprehensive instructional package so that we can train other Yoga teachers to offer a Frontline class in their community.

Antigonish, NS (Inactive) – ZUCCHINIFEST ANTIGONISH

2016-08-25T00:00:00Z

It seems strange that a town like Antigonish doesn't have one of those festivals devoted to an abundantly produced local fruit or vegetable. And in keeping with our community's quirky and fun population, why not embrace the produce that overgrows and overflows every late summer / early fall -- so much so that a local myth prevails that if you leave your car doors unlocked at that time of year you will find yourself with gifted zucchini? I've already got the community group Cultural Connections Antigonish interested in this project (they are thinking of giving their September community potluck a zucchini theme) and I have no doubt I can get local restaurants to participate in creating zucchini specials to serve over the course of a week in September... For this first year, I want to keep it manageable and grass-roots (not necessarily creating separate events but encouraging businesses and organizations to integrate the festival into their regular activities in creative ways), but if it goes well it would be great to build on it in future years. The only actual event I am committed to organizing myself is a Zucchini-Boat-Making Workshop!

Antigonish, NS (Inactive) – An International Evening with Coady Students 2016

2016-08-25T00:00:00Z

We are more than 40 participants from different 18 countries around the world, which is a diverse group comprised on various cultures, languages, traditions and customs. This project will give an opportunity to the participants and Antigonish community to come together and share each other’s culture, music, dance and food. It will provide space to share participant's experience living in Antigonish with local community; moreover it will also help community members to understand the global culture and people from different communities. The international evening is to celebrate the diversity within our group and community. The evening will have three main attractions - food, dance and music. Students will prepare their local food dishes from their countries; students will perform on sorts of songs and music i.e. - Indian dance, African dance etc. For the decorations, different country’s flags will be used and dress code for the evening will be local outfits using traditional cloth. We can book Coady garden for this activity.

Newmarket – Senior Cadet FTX Weekend

2016-08-23T00:00:00Z

The Seniors of 94 Air Cadets play a vital role in the effective functioning of the squadron. Senior cadets are 15 years old and up, and are in a minimum of Proficiency Level 4. Their longstanding commitment to the cadet program is rewarded as they are given more responsibility and leadership roles, such as teaching classes, leading the Pipe and Drum Band, and the Drill Team. All cadets give back to their community, by participating in Remembrance Day ceremonies, and other community service activities, including working with local veterans groups such as the Newmarket and Bradford branches of the Royal Canadian Legion. However, the Seniors also take part in the annual Remembrance Day Overnight Vigil at the Newmarket Cenotaph, and taking on supervisory roles with younger cadets at these and other activities. To start off each training year, the Seniors of 94 Squadron meet for a full weekend to refresh their survival skills, set goals for the year, learn new instructional techniques, and have a bit of fun at the same time.

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – Free Water Safety and Basic Swimming Skills album

2016-08-22T00:00:00Z

Magical Music for Life Foundation has identified the need for accessible and easily teachable water safety education for not only all young children, but especially for children diagnosed with autism and other special needs. After the success of our free downloadable basic life skills album, “A Day in the Life of a Child,” we were asked to write an album of songs that will help teach water safety skills. The music we write is what is referred to as “earworms.” The music is fun with catchy lyrics which stay in one’s head. This is perfect for teaching skills that you want to become automatic with children. As with our other albums, we use children from our singing groups to record the music we write, because children identify with the children singing and as a result, respond to and remember it better. Our goal is to have the album of 12 - 15 songs completed for Water Safety Awareness month in May 2017. This includes composition, arranging, rehearsing, orchestrations, printing scores/music, recording, mixing, mastering, and production of the CD for free download and distribution. After final production, we will be contacting numerous agencies and organizations serving young children with autism and special needs, as well as other organizations serving normally developing children, to inform them that this music is available as a free download. Also, we will offer to send free CDs to the organizations. With drowning ranked as the leading cause of death in typical children under the age of five and under the age of 14 for children with autism, this album not only will save lives, but also help lower the number of children with permanent disabilities. As statistics show, for every drowning death there are 15 emergency room admissions resulting in brain related injuries. With over 16 years of experience of writing music for children, Magical Music is confident and excited for another opportunity to use music to better and save the lives of children.

Ottawa – CSArt Ottawa Community Launch

2016-08-22T00:00:00Z

August’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Megan Piercey Monafu to support the launch of CSArt Ottawa, a community-supported art start-up inspired by the “farm box” model of community-supported agriculture. “Patrons purchase a subscription at the beginning of the season,” Megan explains, “which goes toward supporting the season’s artists as they create work especially for the subscribers. Then, throughout the season, the subscribers receive a share of the artistic harvest. This year, subscribers will receive tickets for two to a music concert, tickets for two to a theatre piece, a painting, a piece of ceramic art, a book of poetry, and a meal for two, as well as opportunities to get to know our artists.” “We're focused on getting the best of Ottawa art to Ottawa audiences, and creating community while doing it,” Megan continues, “so to kick off our season we're holding an event that is both for subscribers and community members. We're partnering with Bar Robo for a Saturday afternoon, family-friendly event where people can meet our artists and have a good time. Members of the PepTides will play some sweet tunes, THUNK! Theatre will get people involved in a pop-up performance, and Chris Turnbull will give away her beautiful poetry. This will result in a party that supports our initiative, supports new business Bar Robo, and gives art away to as many passers by as possible.” Megan is a playwright, director and facilitator, with a particular focus on community building and social activism.

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – Tap Dance Map of NYC

2016-08-19T00:00:00Z

New York City has always been a nexus for dance. From classical to vernacular, the city has attracted and birthed some of the greatest dancers and most popular dances. New York has also been a city of change, with an active cycle of demolition and building. As the city's landscape changes many of the physical reminders of the where dance used to happen are removed. This is a particular challenge to the history of tap dance that has little institutional support. Normally the memory of the places remain with the people who experienced them, and only those they choose to share them with. We want to change that. Thanks to the advent of augmented reality (think, Pokemon Go) we can create a virtual map of important places in New York City that will illuminate the history of tap dance. Imagine being able to explore New York City and discover where tap dance used to live - the jazz clubs, rehearsal halls, and theaters. Users will be notified and delivered content (text, photographs, and videos) as they walk by historical locations. With this technology we can turn the entire city into a walking museum. The Tap Legacy Foundation already has a partnership with Traces, an augmented reality platform and mobile app, but we need to build the map. Instead of chasing Pokemon, we can be discovering, our history.

Tallahassee, FL (Inactive) – Finance Education - Empowerment for Low-Income

2016-08-17T00:00:00Z

The Beyond Limits Community Development Corporation in partnership with the Leon County Family Literacy Services Program will conduct a six-week finance education series for the empowerment of low-income individuals in our community. This six-weeks financial skills development program will address many of the social and economic problems that low-income individuals face due to having bad credit, high debt, and making poor financial choices that cause them to be more vulnerable to sudden economic shocks such as health emergencies or unexpected job loss. This program offers assistance in identifying and correcting poor spending habits that hinder the economic growth of their families. Proper financial habits not only benefit families but the communities they live in. All participants will receive personal hands-on learning experiences in the following topics: • Identifying wants versus needs • Creating a personal spending plan • Managing debt • Understanding the use of credit cards and debit cards • Understanding the industry FICO Score Chart • Review their credit report and how to fix it and increase their FICO score • Financial institutions versus high-cost check cashing companies • Creating family wealth for the next generation What we have found alarming is that many of the individuals that we have taught personal finance education to were doing everything right, except did not track where the money that they were spending. Therefore, they ended up in financial stress which started an emotional roller coaster that consumed the entire family in a negative way. Improper financial habits not corrected are passed on to the next generation. This is a tradition we are working to minimize for a better financial tomorrow.

Gloucester, MA – GHS/RHS Reviving Girls Hockey

2016-08-16T00:00:00Z

Cass Clay – Ainsley's Angels in the Red River Valley: Granted

2016-08-15T00:00:00Z

Ainsley's Angels in the Red River Valley is a local chapter of a national nonprofit organization, Ainsley's Angels of America. Our mission is to ensure that children and adults with disabilities/special needs can experience local endurance events. Basically, we pair individuals with disabilities who cannot run a race on their own (for whatever reason) with volunteer runners. Using adaptive running chairs, the runners and riders participate as a team in anything from 5Ks to marathons. We believe that everyone deserves to experience the freedom of running and mobility and that everyone deserves to be includes. We also aim to build awareness about America's special needs community through education, advocacy, and by participating as active members in our local community. Our Red River Valley chapter just started up late last summer, and we're trying very hard to get the word out to people who are interested and can benefit. We are continually working on raising funds to buy the equipment needed so that everyone who wants to can (as we put it) "Roll With the Wind". Our local chapter is responsible for all of our operation cost and equipment purchases. There is never any cost for our disabled athletes to participate. Ainsley's Angels is so awesome because we are all about inclusion, positivity, kindness, and teamwork and fun!

Pittsburgh, PA – Community-Sourced Mixtape Project

2016-08-15T00:00:00Z

Imagine that you’re listening to a podcast full of stories from everyone in a neighborhood, now imagine that those stories are set to dope beats, and now imagine that they’re full of poetry, singing, and rapping. Plus, it comes along with a zine full of lyrics, artwork, and pictures. Something like Storycorps, but you can jam to it. That’s the Community Sourced Mixtape Project. We harness the power of media and technology-based arts education to amplify the individual and collective stories of marginalized communities. For the past two years professional educators Jess Gold and Amos Levy have piloted this project at the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, working with youth (and sometimes moms) who have experienced domestic violence in their homes. The project was so successful that we’re eager to bring our media-making workshops to other communities, creating a larger platform for others to share their stories. Our workshops consist of poetry writing, beat making, zine creation, song recording, blogging and podcasting. All of the writing and zine making, facilitated by Jess Gold, centers around personal narrative storytelling. Beatmaking and recording is facilitated by Amos Levy, who helps craft the stories into finished songs. Once we have a collection of songs ready, we share them with the world through podcasts and zines. We’re also planning to present all of this work as an art show that features work from sites that we work with all over the city. Although we focus on youth, we’re excited about the potential for bringing this program to other marginalized communities. This summer, we’ll be leading a mixtape camp for youth at Assemble, a community space for art and technology in Garfield, Pittsburgh. Our goals are empowerment through creative expression and the development of media technology communication skills. We help communities realize the potential of 21st century music making and DIY publishing technologies to create their own content,

Boulder, CO (Inactive) – Adaptive Winter Sports’ Junior Instructor Program

2016-08-15T00:00:00Z

Ignite’s very existence is based upon the belief that everyone should be able to enjoy winter sports regardless of ability level. Our purpose is to promote a healthy active lifestyle and a positive outlook for people with disabilities. Each season our volunteers donate around 15,000 hours of their time and energy to provide more than 1000 lessons to more than 200 people living with disabilities in Colorado. This includes wounded military veterans served through a US Paralympic Military Program Ignite developed, in collaboration with the U.S. Olympic Committee. The Junior Instructor program is designed for high school students, ages 16 and 17. It is a unique opportunity to participate in Ignite training, right alongside adult volunteers. When lessons begin on Dec. 31st, the junior instructors are assigned to assist with lessons and learn from the more experienced instructors. With each lesson, the junior instructor is filling his/her “toolkit” with experiences that helps them take the lead on a lesson once they turn 18 years of age. Our senior instructors LOVE having a junior assigned to their lessons. These high schoolers are typically strong, enthusiastic, and fun. And, our students really love having a teenager on the lesson to help. For the student (Jr volunteers, this is a really meaningful volunteer experience that shows very well on college applications and in job interviews. They attend 1 all day classroom training session, as well as 2 on snow clinics and they have meetings throughout the year as well as just fun get-togethers. Two of the returning Jr.’s take a leadership role in recruitment, retention and communications to the group. (one from Fairview High School and one from Boulder High school) Most of our Jr’s volunteer 3-6 days a season (that is about 21-42 hours a season, + another 14-20 training and other volunteer actives generally,35-65 hours a year with Ignite). There are 2 adult volunteer leaders who oversee the program.

Chicago, IL – Project Onward Artist Book

2016-08-15T00:00:00Z

The artists at Project Onward, a makerspace in Bridgeport for artists with cognitive disabilities or mental illnesses, are trying to make an artist book but needs the Awesome Foundations to make our hard work into a reality! Project Onward offers studio space, quality supplies, professional guidance and gallery representation to 45 artists. Many of the artists are Chicago natives and come from all over the city to work in Bridgeport. Their work ranges in medium and style, from bright dotted paintings to realistic cardboard models. The truly exhilarating part about Project Onward is the community support that the artists offer each other. This camaraderie and the makerspace environment lends itself to collaborative projects, yet funding large endeavors such as an artist book is difficult. To gather our ideas and view examples, we are working with the SAIC Joan Flasch special collections library. Then the book team will pick a theme, layout a format and make/draw/write for the book. Any artist who wishes to be involved with the collaborative project will have a voice in every step from the design to the binding. The book project will act as a catalyst to push each of the artists styles and subject matter because studio can often become repetitious. Our goal is to share our studio community experiences, range of technical styles and diverse voices with the greater Chicagoland area.

New York City, NY – Murals for a Queens Supportive Housing Facility

2016-08-12T00:00:00Z

AwesomeNYC is pleased to support artist Laini Nemett's mural project in a new supportive housing facility for Transitional Services New York (TSINY) in Jamaica, Queens, designed by Amie Gross Architects (AGA). In the artist's own words: The discussion with AGA began when Amie walked into my studio during LIC Arts Open 2015. As my work is based on collaged imagery from my own photographs and drawings of places in various stages of construction, this collaboration was a no-brainer. I will track the progress of the building and create models and drawings that will culminate in two 8 x 10 ft paintings installed in the first floor of the building: one will show depictions of the site under construction and the other representing it as a finished building including hints of the stained glass works featured in the same lobby. My hope is that these immersive paintings of imagery personal to the residents will foster a sense of creative inspiration and healing for them, and serve as an accessible entry-point into fine art for the community. While our grant will fund the creation of the paintings on the first floor, the entire building has been created with art in mind, with 18 "art niches" designed into the structure's 7 floors. Once the building has been completed, local and resident artists will have the opportunity to exhibit throughout the building, with receptions preceding each opening giving the residents a chance to connect with artists living in their community. While rising rents have forced many artists out of New York City, this project goes to show that there are plenty of creative opportunities for the arts to be integrated into our daily lives, and we are excited to see where this project, and projects like it, can go in the future.

San Jose, CA – DTSJ Sidewalk Chalk Art - Temporary Wayfinding

2016-08-12T00:00:00Z

Downtown San Jose has many awesome, fun areas -- SoFA, Cesar Chavez Plaza and surrounding cultural institutions, the Paseo de San Antonio, and San Pedro Square neighborhoods to name a few. Unfortunately, for people who aren't familiar with Downtown, navigating between these parts of town is hard. A group of urbanists from the American Leadership Forum, myself included, want to test out wayfinding solutions through chalk art that leads people to and from various parts of downtown. We propose specifically to start with the SJ Jazz Festival (8/12-8/14) and/or Viva CalleSJ (9/18), using stencils and art to liven up area sidewalks and get people exciting about exploring "off the beaten path." We have been inspired by San Jose's own Luna Park Chalk Festival, chalk art / information done for the 2014 Pop-Up Project, and Housing 2.0 Summit, and other sidewalk wayfinding and art from around the world. See the following links for images and examples: - http://tinyurl.com/Luna-Park-Chalk-Art - http://www.nicklewis.com.au/#/summersalt-festival-2015/ - http://p-and-w.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/46443439885386135/

Edmonton, AB (Inactive) – Secret Alley Gallery

2016-08-12T00:00:00Z

The concept takes a residual urban space and creates a unique and discoverable alley art gallery themed: Eyes on the Street. This one time delivery of small scale artwork will be viewable from a short distance (<4'). A clean gallery wall surface on one side with the rough parkade wall on the other side, the gallery is open on both ends, and is positioned to allow accidental discovery flowing from a street to the alley in the back. Lighting and art will condition the space, and create a powerful juxtaposition between forgotten space and intentional use.

Whangarei (Inactive) – Milk and Honey - By Company of Giants

2016-08-11T00:00:00Z

As part of the community celebration and activity that Company of Giants has been instigating at 116 Bank Street in the last 8 months, we will create another theatrical extravaganza for and with the people of Whangarei called Milk and Honey. This piece will be based on work we developed in collaboration with Quarry Nights last September. We will develop this into a theatre piece to be presented to Whangarei audiences in a two week public season at ONEONESIX in November. M & H will be like a night circus, both alluring and alarming, nimble and on the edge. It is a family vaudeville show of sorts – its cast includes a diverse range of people from our community – both professional performers and non-professional performers, fathers, daughters, little sisters and older brothers. There is no set – the actors, like travelers who have left their homes, carry everything they need – suitcases, bikes, lamps, desks, boxes, buckets, violins, balloons, bubbles and guitars. These rogue humans are anthropomorphic and starkly dressed. A vaudevillian family show about loneliness and the search for the land of milk and honey, using Noahʼs Ark as a starting point. We will use the power of a huge group being continually stopped in action, frozen in space, weaving a narrative of lonely characters looking for a land of hope. The show is a series of introductions - through song, narration, music and magic. As usual we will embrace the acute musical talent we have in our group and community pulling in original harmony, acapella song, music boxes and megaphones. This work is visually extreme and highly theatrical. We plan to make a big splash in town with strong imagery, roaming performers and lots of use of the outdoor public spaces around ONEONESIX. Everyone will know about us!

Whangarei (Inactive) – Whangarei-n Works

2016-08-11T00:00:00Z

I want to bring a little rainy-day art from my previous home in Washington State/British Columbia to my new home in Whangarei. Rainworks is a Seattle based company that makes biodegradable and affordable art that only appears when it rains. These positive messages and images are meant to be uplifting, whimsical, or just fun. (Please check out the website.) I would like to hold a contest with the local youth in cooperation with the Te Kowhai Print Trust to come up with approximately 3 graphic images (with or without text) in addition to 4 local artist contributions that would be turned into stencils at the Print Trust for placement in a total of 7 downtown and town basin locations. Decisions for the final product would be decided by consensus of three local community members. (Myself, a print trust representative, and member of 116 bank street collective.) All images and locations will obviously need to be approved by the council. As the Northern hemisphere gets progressively less rain and we get more, this can become an enjoyable way to remember to smile on a rainy day and engage in our community through the winter and spingtime months. It can be a positive way to engage youth, get their interest in the community and the Print Trust and have them contribute in a meaningful way they can show their friends. It also encourages people to linger outside....even in the rain. Dates (proposed): Contest would open in late May and conclude in late June. Final products announced for Matariki Festival! Stencils would be made in the following weeks. Installation completed by the end of July (with a recorded reveal with the artists! and links sent to rainworks so we can join their map!) Installation will biodegrade naturally within 2-4 months. (I will clean whatever has not gone by then.) Please contact me with any questions.

Adelaide – Portable Dance Party

2016-08-09T00:00:00Z

During the SALA Festival throughout August this year I am staging a new performance work that extends my current performance art practice into exciting territory. For this work I will have a portable dance floor which can be quickly and easily moved around and set up in any number of public locations. There are a number of venues who have agreed to host my dance floor, including Adelaide Festival Centre and Victoria Square, among others. I also plan to stage impromptu performances, outside these organised times, in other public spaces around Adelaide too. I have enlisted the help of Steven Cybulka, a licensed builder, carpenter and artist, to design and construct the dance floor with me, including built-in lights and sound. He has experience in the area and has offered to sponsor part of the labour costs in kind. I see this project as an exciting extension of my previous work, taking my dancing work firmly into the public realm, engaging with a larger number of complete strangers. While I have previously had individual works operate short term in public spaces, I have not had something that sustains this public engagement repeatedly and over the course of a month. The possibility of repeated encounters for people and the associated potential for challenges of perceptions and behaviour is an integral part of my practice. I want to challenge the way we relate to people and the world around us. New connections bring new points of view and new possibilities. My hope is that witnessing or participating in this work will give people the opportunity to step outside their comfort zone temporarily. It may jolt us out of autopilot that we all find ourselves in so easily, going about our days like we always do and have done. My personal experience is that a new context for the shared activation of space provides opportunity to reconsider the way I relate to people and the world around me. Shared experiences breed empathy which I believe will make the world a better place.

Adelaide – Nightlife First Aid

2016-08-09T00:00:00Z

My awesome project is a business, here's the story... At 17, after volunteering as a St. John Ambulance cadet for 5 years and reaching high ranks and incredible achievements, every party I went to as a young man trying to enjoy himself I ended up helping an injured or overly intoxicated youth back to health or travelling with their family to a hospital. I was asked to work as a first aider at my own formal after party, this sparked my business idea. I began what is now 'Nightlife First Aid', a first aid service dedicated to all events but specialising around the party scene of Adelaide especially amongst today's youth and alcohol. A year and a half has passed, I am now 18 and am still successfully running the business. After 6 months of operation we ran into some despicable, immature and poor behaviour from St. John Abulance but with passion and hard work we were able to get passed that obstacle and are proud of what we have become today!

Adelaide – Digital Storytelling for Social Change

2016-08-09T00:00:00Z

Digital literacy is often considered to be lacking in Aboriginal communities, yet even on the most remote communities smartphones can be seen everywhere. Additionally, arts centres often have laptops, iPads and cameras available for community use which is often only hampered by a lack of skills and confidence in those wanting to use them. Storytelling is seen as being at the heart of social change and yet despite the recent increase in solidarity for Aboriginal communities under threat of closure, most Australians still have no idea what it’s like to live on country with very few having had the privilege of visiting in person. This project aims to bring these two strands together, utilising the technology that you carry in your pocket (or whatever is readily to hand) to build a legacy of strong Aboriginal digital storytellers for social change. Using the reallybigroadtrip bus, homeJames, we will travel to ten regional and remote Aboriginal communities over a four month period, April-August 2016. At each community we will begin by screening social change films such as “Talking Straight Out”, a short documentary about the Kupa Piti Kungka Tjuta women from communities near Coober Pedy who fought - and won - a campaign against uranium waste dumps between 1998-2004. Then, at each of our ten locations, we will run a week of free digital storytelling workshops/production processes leading to at least one screening per community of the films they have made locally. Alongside these production processes we will run digital literacy (social media, blogging, privacy etc) and grassroots organising workshops. The most enthusiastic producers from each location will be invited to come to the next location to help run the program. Anticipated outcomes: * ten communities better equipped in digital literacy, digital storytelling and grassroots campaigning; * increased networking between Aboriginal communities; * short films for international distribution.

Adelaide – FROM UNDER THE RUBBLE

2016-08-09T00:00:00Z

FROM UNDER THE RUBBLE is a documentary we have in development that is a powerful story that puts a human face to war and gives voice to the civilian perspective. The overwhelming majority of collateral damage in conflict zones are dead and wounded women and children who far outnumber the casualties incurred on the combatants. We live in a time when women and children have limited protection under international law. The documentary focusses on Zeenat Samouni and her seven children who have now lived through 3 wars in Gaza and who saw 48 members of their extended family perish in once incident during the 2009 conflict in Gaza. The 4 minute trailer for the work-in-progress of the documentary can be viewed on this link... vimeo.com/132212314 We also have a crowdfunding campaign registered with Documentary Australia Foundation where you can watch the trailer, read the synopsis and get additional information... https://www.documentaryaustralia.com.au/films/2880/from-under-the-rubble---a-story-from-gaza We as filmmakers decided to take on this project because of our deep concern that women and children have become targets in conflict zones around the world and make up the majority of the collateral damage.

Adelaide – Earth to Major Tom. (working title)

2016-08-09T00:00:00Z

I want to work close to home, with the people who are neighbours, and those who live nearby. We all live in public housing so most of us are disadvantaged with resultant poor health and chronic conditions. I inspired myself by planting 1000 sunflowers in a plot of earth which my neighbour was responsible for. He let me till the earth (my brother has a tilling machine) and I grew a magnificent patch of flowers. Ive planted winter vegetables now and they all look great. I also developed my back yard into flower, vegetable and herb plots by using whatever was available, developing the soil, purchasing planting tubs and purchasing soil in tubs as I needed it. I added my own compost and mulch i found in the street near my sister's house. I want to find ways to encourage and advise and support my neighbours to grow more plants especially ones which will produce food and sustenance. I have to find ways to do this which respect people's desire to privacy but encourage them to accept some help to get started. I want to find ways to do this so that people can experience the simple joy of growing something to eat or something which flowers and brings bees to the garden. In our climate, succulents thrive so they are popular. My community of neighbours do not have much money. I want them to find that they can grow food without too much difficulty. Once established, just add water and viola!!! Food joy. Some research has said that soil, our very earth, contains natural antidepressants. Many of my neighbours suffer depression. I want them to get their hands into soil. This project could have lasting value for people here. Everyone is fearful of the future and their ability to put food on the table in a bleak economy. I want them to be empowered to use what they have to create something real, organic and joyful.

Adelaide – Nonsense Festival

2016-08-09T00:00:00Z

Nonsense Festival is an outdoor, interactive arts festival for children and families taking place in Belair National Park, South Australia on the 15th October 2016. It is an enchanting place where art, music and literature are entwined in a marvelous landscape. You will never know what is behind the next tree – music, theatre, circus, dance, workshops and installations! Children and their families will be surrounded by ways to explore and unleash their creativity. Families will delight in this spellbinding one-day festival. This is Nonsense's inaugural festival. Creative Producer Georgi Paech has worked on many festivals within South Australia and overseas, and found that there is a gap within the festival landscape of Adelaide of events for children, particularly ones that engage their creativity and their senses in and outdoor environment. Nonsense Festival will engage between 40 to 50 local artists, performers and arts organisations to create a magical place for children to explore and engage with. Nonsense Festival also has a strong ethos regarding sustainability, and plans to create a sustainable festival. For example, 90% of Nonsense's design is being sourced from recycled or repurposed materials. A child’s imagination is a powerful thing, and they can bring amazing and mindboggling ideas to the arts. Nonsense aims to not only provide children with high quality performers and artists, but an environment that allows children to unleash their imaginations. Nonsense aims to give children a safe place to run wild, skip, jump and climb, with unbridled curiosity. The festival will provide moments of wonder and excitement that stay with children long after the Festival.

Liverpool (Inactive) – Cartoonopolis

2016-08-08T00:00:00Z

Cartoonopolis is a one-man show about my brother who has Autism and an American accent. I play 27 characters including, many well-known characters such as; Bane, Batman, Porky Pig and if you look closely enough you may even see a De'Niro... but mostly the ones of Jacks creation in his magical imaginary world. the play is about how Jack learns to deal with autism and how our family learns to live and thrive well. I wrote this play for my mum, because I wanted her to know that, when the day does come that she won't be here anymore. Jack will be looked after and for her not be scared anymore. because i have got his back. It had a sellout run at the Liverpool Playhouse studio in 2015 It was picked up by various, shows on the BBC, and even got a spot on the BBC Breakfast show. here are some of the links to reviews that we received. Liverpool Echo http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/review-cartoonopolis-liverpool-playhouse-studio-8611704 The Skinny http://www.theskinny.co.uk/theatre/shows/reviews/cartoonopolis-liverpool-playhouse-studio It's vital to me to change the stigma of autism, to something positive. and i believe this show really packs that punch. now i want to take it around the country and create a community of positive people that understand autism in a different way.

Singapore – Kodrah Kristang: Awakening Kristang in Singapore

2016-08-08T00:00:00Z

Kristang is an endangered Portuguese-Malay contact language spoken by less than 1,000 people in Melaka and Singapore. It is the heritage language of the Portuguese-Eurasian community, and an integral part of our cultural heritage, tradition and history. In Singapore, the language is critically endangered, with less than 100 people thought to still speak the language. There are no official statistics on Kristang speakers, no children are known to be learning Kristang, and it is not taught in schools, seen on the media, or spoken in the streets. Most Singaporeans are barely aware Kristang even exists. Kodrah Kristang and I hope to change this by bringing Kristang back to life over a 30-year long-term revitalisation initiative, such that by 2045 children are learning the language again in schools, families are using it at home, and literature, art and music are once more being developed in it. I am a linguistics undergraduate of Portuguese Eurasian descent and began the project in March 2015 with a class for adult learners, which now meets regularly on the National University of Singapore campus and is the core of revitalisation efforts. I also developed a audio course (Kontah Kristang) and a Memrise app-based vocabulary course (Kriseh Kristang) for elderly and disapora learners. We are further expanding rapidly into a new phase: I have developed a full Revitalisation Plan for Kristang in Singapore that will be published on July 14 on the website, and plans for the first Kristang Language Festival in Singapore in May 2017. I'm also writing the first textbook for Kristang (2019). All our materials are developed from scratch and are free of charge and completely accessible to the community. The initiative has official support from the Eurasian Association and has been covered by local news media; I have also been nominated for the 2017 Linguistic Society of America Excellence in Community Linguistics Award for my work.

Adelaide – Adelaide Dodgeball

2016-08-08T00:00:00Z

Have you heard of the 5 D's of Dodgeball? Dodge, Dip, Duck, Dive and Dodge! The backstory to the sport: Don't stress if you haven't heard it as we are a fairly new sport. Dodgeball is game of high ability and strong teamwork. Originating from North America as a primary and high school game, it has had many references in western popular culture over the last 30 years. In the last 10 of those years Dodgeball has grown internationally as a highly competitive sport for not only children, but also adults. This year Australia won their first Gold medal at the World Dodgeball Cup in Manchester (https://youtu.be/JwOR_KBCgzU?t=2m51s) and secured two bronze medals as well (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWII-zlVZI4). Adelaide Dodgeball is the first official adult Dodgeball league in South Australia. We are looking to grow the sport in both professional and social aspects. It's a great way to have fun, be a part of a community and stay fit!

Portland, OR – Barter Market

2016-08-06T00:00:00Z

The Barter Market mimics a conventional street market, but one where transactions are done purely through exchanging goods and services. Vendors list goods or services they desire in exchange for what they have on offer. Some will be posted online in advance of the event but attendees can also negotiate with individual vendors. Any offer of money will be immediately refused. Barter Market is a social initiative to connect local makers and skilled individuals and to encourage a radical way of thinking – where money ceases to be currency and trade happens through interpersonal connections and communication. In a society largely governed by capitalist ideals, Barter Market aims to show the implied status of money as a man-made social construct. It affirms the idea that each individual has desirable skills that should not have to be pegged to a dollar value. Portland has a huge community of makers who may not the opportunity or desire to price and sell their wares, and others who do, but have a deeper appreciation for the values behind this concept. Barter Market provides a novel platform for such makers to share their goods with a larger audience and an efficient means of directly acquiring desired products or services in return, cutting out ‘cash’ as the middle man. Barter Market aims to reduce waste – the old maxim ‘one man’s trash is another’s treasure’ comes to mind. People can trade what they have in abundance/do not need for things or services that they do. Further, one may be rich in skills but not necessarily cash. Trading is a means of giving them purchasing parity without money. This has actually already been piloted in Singapore (by Indigoism) - one of the world's most capitalist countries - to great success. A friend who was part of it connected me with the founder, and we believe that its awesomeness could be exponentially multiplied if it was held in cities around the world, under the same branding, instead of just a recurring event in Singapore.

North Minneapolis, MN – Winds of Change Pin Wheel Project

2016-08-05T00:00:00Z

The Winds of Change Pinwheels were inspired by observing nature. I noticed a gentle wind move leaves gently on an old big tree in my neighbor's backyard. Later the wind would become a storm that made large branches wave and leaves fall. Later these winds shifted into a storm strong enough to damage houses and uproot trees. I thought about North Minneapolis. Residents are scared and traumatized from so much violence, killings and all other disparities. I wanted to show I am angry and concerned too. I wanted to show solidarity and share the burden. I wanted a way for those who are silent, don't know what to do but who wanted to DO some act, express themselves, and have a space to share feelings, ideas, pain. I thought of the power of spoken words/prayers. I thought what if prayers/affirmations blew through the Northside. A wind that could move what's not life affirming. A wind that circulated what was needed, love, peace, social justice. I got 20 pinwheels, went to the Mississippi River and prayed over them. I placed them in northside residents' yards and gave them to people in the streets, Jamar Clark and put it on Plymouth Ave where he died. Responses were: "Thank you. Can I have one more for my neighbor? I'm taking mine to church. Here's a dollar so you can make one more." I invited 7 mothers, a teen and a 9 year old to come discuss their feelings and do art/words on Pinwheels to put on their blocks. 50 Pinwheels will be given away at Flow (July 30, 11-5 at the Capri) to get people talking to each other, to have a symbol that keeps fallen loved ones alive in our hearts. (YO MAMA event) I have been asked to do this with Nuns and youth, at the United Theological Seminary, and .GAIA School. I was gifted with 50 Pinwheels. One silver Pinwheel for Philando Castile is at the Governor's Mansion. I create Pinwheels for Terrell Mayes and Birdie Beeks. Sadly, I can't customize anymore. Too many people are dying.