The Listening's AAC Youth Award

The Listening was started in 2013 with a simple idea: to engage with passionate people using the performing arts. As time went on, the vision grew, was incorporated, and became a tax-exempt, non-profit organization, with the expanded desire to engage, change, and save lives with the performing arts. 
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For the past three years, we've been building a relationship with ASTEP (Artists Striving To End Poverty ), and for the first time, we are announcing The Listening's Artist as Citizen Youth Award! In brief, AAC (Artist as Citizen) is a six-day retreat for young leaders, ages 18-25, looking to make a difference in their communities. ASTEP has brought in artistic directors, financial coaches, community organizers, international aid workers, former UN representatives and practicing artists such as Danielle Brooks, Samira Wiley, Dick Scanlan, David Pleasant and more; they engage in discussion, see shows together, and devise original art, all in the pursuit of finding the appropriate balance between creative fulfillment and social impact.
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Both The Listening and ASTEP believe that one of the ways to create change in our world is to create art that makes an impact, whether through song, poem, or dance!

One of our own local artists is among the 50 applicants accepted: Germal "Sync" Morgan! If you've been to our events in the past two years, chances are you've seen his skills as a dancer...

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If that weren't enough, we also just found out that Germal has received a partial scholarship to attend this conference - but we need your help!If The Listening can raise $1,300 by May 15th, not only will we able to send Germal to participate in this amazing conference, but the founder of The Listening, Nick George, is also invited to participate in a mini-conference for Special Partners. This opportunity will equip The Listening to have direct input into our continued partnership with the AAC Conference and strengthen the bond between Lynchburg and NYC.

Your support will help fund:
- all conference activities, including keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, interactive worshops, evening entertainment
- housing on-campus for six nights
- meal card to eat in the Juiliard cafeteria
- NYC Subway Pass
- Tickets to a show in NYC
- Special Partners Mini Conference
- Roundtrip Flights to and from NYC

We believe that arts can change lives, and we would love to bring the skills learned at this conference back to our community.

Thanks in advance for your support and prayers, and as always, thank you for Listening!