Photo Programs for At-Risk Youth

[dreilly]

Hi all,
I'm trying to collect web sites of photography programs designed for at-risk youth. Anyone know of any?

There's one I can think of, which is based in Calcutta, and teaches the children of sex workers how to use cameras to document (and reflect upon and work to improve) their lives. I'm looking for similar programs to this, anywhere.

Thanks!
doug

 

[jonasv]

maybe not exactly what you are looking for, but there is someone on the CVUG (cv users group, mailing list) who goes by the nick "baba" and appearantly teaches problem children photography. I don't think it's a very formal organisition, I think he works in a small school or something..? But you could try asking him, maybe he has more information.

I don't keep a log of CVUG discussions, but I seem to remember some talk about similar projects, so perhaps you could ask some other CVUG'ers.

 

[bmattock]

NPR loves giving out cameras. This is the only one I saw on their website, but I recall them doing lots of them before. They've also done video cameras and tape recorders.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5291355

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[bmattock]

http://www.tibetanphotoproject.com/GALLERY33.html

http://kvh.threebunnypress.com/projects/cameramail.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sites/intheframe/

http://www.beat-the-street.org/learn/creative/photo.html

http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/interest/doc_TakePrideInPlace.pdf (kind of)

 

[dreilly]

Bill,
That's a good one, thanks. I wasn't thiking of the "disposable camera" projects, though there's some power in that (accessibility). I was thinking more of the programs that actually teach photography as an art and as a skill, but with the same focus on documentation, and sometimes, activism.

I'll check the cvug archive if I can--I'm sure there are lots of programs like this run informally by dedicated people.

thanks
d

 

[dreilly]

Beat the Street seems to do both...provide a workshop on photography and utilize the disposables. Interesting. This is a great help, thank you.

 

[bmattock]

Google, ergo nihil interit.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[dreilly]

Anyone have one of these programs in their communities, or are involved with them? Thanks
doug

 

[ch1]

Have you seen this site?

http://www.artsusa.org/youtharts/

 

[Heath]

This is one that a member of another forum runs. It is based in Hawaii and uses Holgas and B&W film.

http://www.projectfocushawaii.com/

Heath

 

[derevaun]

A little dated, but the book Shooting Back fron the Reservation talks about a project like that for rez kids. If I recall correctly it was a personal project with some public funding that turned into a big thing several years ago.

I'd hesitate before using disposables--they're a common feature in the lives of poor folks--truly poor people, with no assets--kind of like lottery tickets. They have some advantages, but for people who own nothing in an increasingly ownership culture, well, it might well give a thoughtful person pause.