amelioart
USING SELF-EXPRESSION TO HEAL
OUR MISSION
In pursuit of a more egalitarian and empathetic world, we hope to inspire Philadelphia Youth with the ability to creatively express themselves through the universal language of art. Through this process, we aspire to achieve a safe space for all people for discourse on all topics. In addition, our strong focus on mental health and diversity seeks to provide arts education and experiences infused with a psychologically and socially conscious lense.
PILLARS OF FOUNDATION
We are founded on the four pillars of exposure, respect, compassion, and expression.
EXPOSURE
RESPECT
COMPASSION
EXPRESSION
We believe that exposure is the first step in creating a more friendly world. What this calls for is exposure to new modes of thought, found within the diversity instilled in our therapy. We look to healthily confront and inspire our pupils by bringing forth new cultures, forms of expression, and trains of thought as topics to consider as they approach their lives.
In order to create greater empathy, we aspire to model and instill values of respect for our students. This will be found within the process of collaboration between students, creation of a safe space/community for discourse, and the psychologically and socially conscious nature of our therapy.
Compassion will be shown as well as received through our program. This is in attempts to alleviate the mental burdens of some and create a community in support of empathy. Again our socially based program as well as therapeutic nature help to emphasize this value.
Lastly, the facilitation of positive expression will be constantly found within our program. This will be seen through the artistic creations of students as well as the collaboration and discourse between students.
our
vision.
The world we wish to help create.
IN 5 YEARS;
In five years, Amelioart would like to be a staple of youth life within Philadelphia. In providing the services I speak of in the drafted business plans, we would like to see a Philadelphia that feels like a unified city and not separate neighborhoods. We would like to help create a city that is safe for everyone. A city with youth that are healthy, motivated, knowledgeable, and ready to attack the challenges they face. A city where negativity is expressed in a healthy way and taboo subjects are no longer taboo.
IN 25 YEARS;
From the perspective of Amelioart, our ideal world would be complete community immersion. We would be seen as an extra-curricular institution for youth designed to instill the values of exposure, respect, compassion, and expression. With our addition to the Philadelphia community (and possibly communities in other areas of the United States/World), we would help to inspire youth to create a more empathetic and egalitarian world. A world where cultural walls no longer exist, and all people have the privilege to choose how they are interpreted by others. A place where all youth have easy, cheap access to mental and physical health and educational institutions of equal ranking. A place where mental illness is destigmatized and normal citizens are well educated on taboo topics and different cultures. Within this world, Ameliorart hopes to provide services that benefit all groups and inspire discourse free of aggression, judgement, and condescension. We hope to arm youth with the knowledge of self expression, different modes of thought, respect, and compassion for others.
OUR PLAN
In order to create this world, we must first provide an environment that is socially and psychologically conscious. What this calls for is an agenda based around empathy and diversity that will provide a safe space for all people and ideas to be welcome. Then, we will provide services of “art therapy” that will help to educate students on different forms of artistic expression. This will include, but will not be limited to; photography, musicianship, film, painting, poetry, etc. The teaching of these skills will help to instill discipline, respect, and expression within our students and become one of the bases of discourse between our diverse student body. Furthermore, we will provide a community for youth. This will foster social interaction and create a place for youth to learn and experiment with different ideas, similar to a school, however with a focus on the quality of interaction. Lastly, our safe space environment would help to foster healthy exploration and education on topics often considered taboo in modern society.
Our Sources of Inspiration
This is a playlist for the band Calpurnia, led by 16-year old Finn Wolfhard, of Stranger Things fame.
This is a playlist for the artist Blood Orange.
Blood Orange attempts to make, "an honest look at the corners of black existence, and the ongoing anxieties of queer/people of color," helping to show how art can amplify the expression of marginalized groups.
He was also my top played Spotify artist for 2018 and writes some really frickin good songs.
This is the music video for the song, when the party's over, by 17 year old artist, Billie Eilish.