Tanya Taylor is fundraising
Project Black Lens
WHAT IS PROJECT BLACK LENS
Ten Black youth will be given the opportunity to pursue their dreams of becoming exceptional photographers who contribute to the struggle for racial equality and justice by pointing their lens at issues that highlight how racism impacts the daily lives of Black Americans. We will nurture them into confident, capable photographic artists with the ability to overcome racial barriers and transform the narrative on what it means to be Black in America.
The Photographic Journal program is a 6 week intensive course in photography. Our young students will be taught and guided by professional photographers with strong industry track records, experience and advanced skills in their art form. They will be given the opportunity to learn different styles and techniques, as well as how to use various types of cameras and equipment, to create powerful artistic stories.
At the end of these 6 weeks, our young photographers will have 4 weeks to independently create a photographic journal of their stories, their realities, and their experience of being Black in America. In short, artistic accounts of Black life in America told by Black youth in America, through the lens.
During these 4 weeks, they will be expertly guided by a designated tutor who will ensure they stay on track with developing their journal and provide all the guidance they need to achieve their desired end result.
At the end of this period, the final pieces will be judged. The best of each journal will then be exhibited in a Los Angeles museum. We will also host an awards ceremony to ensure our students’ achievements are honored. This will be a family and community event so the students can proudly celebrate their progress as young photographers with their family and friends.
To ensure we build confident young photographers, therapy will also be a key part of the program. Therapists will work with our students to help them unlock their potential, unpack trauma and overcome any inhibitions. We consider this an essential step in allowing them to embrace the vulnerability, openness and expressiveness necessary to be successful artists.
This program will transform raw but talented Black youth into confident, expressive and creative photographic artists capable of telling their own narratives accurately and with pride.
WHEN?
With your support we will be able to run this program in the summer of 2023, please donate now to support so that we can being to put the building blocks in place to make this program a reality.
BUDGET
We have estimated that this course will cost $50,000 to run from start to finish. The largest expense will be the camera equipment, software, learning materials and rental of creative spaces. This amount would also include the exhibition and a graduation ceremony as we believe it is important to take time to celebrate our participants’ achievements.
We are hoping to fund as much of this program as possible through donations and hope you will donate to help us make a difference and an impact on the lives of these students and our society through their works.
- R
- J
- D
31 supporters
guidestar.org/profile/88-0890327
charitynavigator.org/ein/880890327