Youth Education Programs
No Longer Empty curates community-centered education
programs in unconventional locations across New York City
Bronx Courthouse, Bronx, NY. 2015. Photo: Whitney Browne
Since 2009, No Longer Empty’s educational programs have inspired New York City’s youth and families to share their voices through collective storytelling and the re-imagination
of public space through art. Through site-responsive youth art exhibitions, mentorship, and intergenerational programming, participants use the arts to strengthen community
networks, build leadership skills, develop new projects, and conceptualize a future of their own design.
NLE has worked in unique urban spaces ranging from landmarked buildings to an
unused hospital emergency room, bringing arts education to the forefront alongside community collaborators.
ART ZONE: Community Art and Data Lab is an intergenerational and collaborative learning opportunity that brings together teens and elders to form a think-tank with
artists and designers to research how local histories and desires can be amplified by the arts.
Participants conduct interviews with neighbors, community members, and friends;
investigate local desires and how people define “place� in their community; creatively explore how the arts can be a resource; and plan and participate in collective special events, conversations, and celebrations relevant to their communities.
Young Exhibition Makers (Y.Ex) is a 15-week program that trains and pays local high
school students (ages 14 to 18) in all elements of exhibition making, from curation and installation to docent tours and management.
Arts mentoring, youth leadership, and real life work experience are the pillars of this
program. Students learn creative writing, art history, media literacy and public speaking through close collaboration with curators, artists, and community leaders.
Young Exhibition Makers at Kings County Hospital, East Flatbush, Brooklyn. 2018. Photo: Julia Hickey
Youth Action Council at Black Gotham Experience, Manhattan, New York. 2018. Photo: Mica Le John
Youth Action Council (YAC) is an academic-year-long youth development program for NLE teen alums to continue their mentorship by connecting with artists, scholars and activists to explore the intersections of the arts and social justice.
Through workshops, facilitated discussions, and skill-building exercises, YAC
combines leadership development, political education and art-making. Engaging in
cross-city conversations with other youth leaders, YAC participants develop two public events during their tenure, at least one of which is centered around egagement with teens in other boroughs.
All of our youth programs offer stipends for participation.
(After) School and Beyond is a program for K-12 and collegiate groups designed and led by No Longer Empty education staff. Specially-designed exhibition tours and artmaking workshops are available for participants, who can more deeply engage with exhibitions by creating their own artworks to take home.
The WorkRoom is an afternoon art-making workshop series designed for children, families and community elders to discover and explore NLE art exhibitions though
activities centered on inquiry, reflection, participation and creative interpretations of accessible art.
Dennis RedMoon Darkeem, Trade Blanket/Good Trade, 2016. “Jameco Exchange,� Southeast Queens 2016. Photo: Ian Douglas.jpg
No Longer Empty’s education programs are supported by Con Edison; Exploring the Arts; Malka Fund; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; The Berk Foundation; and generous individual supporters. In-kind support is provided by Materials for the Arts. www.nolongerempty.org #nolongerempty
COVERS: Bronx Courthouse, Bronx, NY. 2015. Photo: Whitney Browne PAGES 2–3: Young Exhibition Makers at Kings County Hospital, East Flatbush, Brooklyn. 2018. Photo: Julia Hickey