Full Bloom Summer Academy - Youth Detention Center
Start Date: June 19th
End Date: July 28th
Time: 1:30-3:30pm
Duration: 6 weeks
Grade: 9-12
Capacity: 15
Location: Ross Bell Youth Detention Center
Program Description:
The Flourish Alabama will partner with Black Arts Academy to create a comprehensive 6-week summer arts program at Ross Bell Juvenile Detention Center. The academy will support the cultural and emotional development, mental health, and financial independence of youth through new career paths and opportunities.
A team of three instructors, over the course of six weeks, will work with three groups of students per location. Students will engage in hands-on creative activities, social emotional development, and racial literacy exercises. Each group will have a different artistic focus
The Full Bloom Summer Academy seeks to implement SEL project-based learning using arts-integrated learning to reach these 3 key goals:
- Boost literacy, self-esteem and confidence amongst Alabama youth
- Encourage Alabama youth to pursue the arts for careers and as creative outlets
- Build communities rooted in emotional vulnerability and acceptance
Final thoughts on the program?
“ I loved the opportunity you allowed me to have this junior year. I never would have enjoyed the process of filmmaking and scriptwriting if Flourish had not visited my school. I will continue filmmaking with little projects, as a way to share my message through the media even if it only reaches a small audience. You have taught me that my final career does not have to be a producer or actor to create films, but to have a passion to share my experience as a black woman from Birmingham and inspire those from similar backgrounds. ”
What was it like to be vulnerable?
“ It was eye opening to be vulnerable. Originally, I didn’t think I was being vulnerable but every story identifies with somebody. It was inspiring to see how others reacted to the films I participated in."