The Teen Producers Project at San Diego Media Arts Center produced this documentary on the evolution of the Dream Act legislation and the youth movement to get it passed.

“To have the grades… I’ve done so much community service, what did I do wrong? Why do I not deserve to go where I want to go? You did the same thing as the person right next to you since 5th or 6th grade. They’ll go off and be happy with their lives. And you can’t do that.”

So what do you think? Share your opinions by leaving a comment below!

A unique ‘light graffiti’ exhibition, which has been created entirely by disadvantaged youths from across the South East, will be showcased at the BFI on London’s Southbank next month.

Led by visual artist, Tine Bech, from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), and scientist Dr Kathryn Harkup, of the University of Surrey, young people from Hampshire, Kent and Surrey have been discovering a new way to explore youth culture – and challenge society’s perception of it – through the science and art of light.

The LightTAG project offered workshops in Southampton, Staines, Farnham, Guildford, Hounslow and Canterbury where participants were taught how coloured LED lights could create light drawings and animations through an innovative camera technique to produce vibrant pieces of art.
The scheme will reach its climax at a launch event at the BFI on 11 February 2011 before beginning a tour of galleries in the South East.

Tine Bech said: “LightTAG has been a fantastic experience for everybody involved. The young people who participated have created a really visually engaging project.

“One of the project goals is to show youth culture in a positive light and increase the visibility of young peoples’ voices, which I think we’ve achieved.”

LightTAG is a collaboration between UCA, the University of Surrey and the South East Physics Network (SEPnet). LightTAG worked with groups of young people who are either: care leavers; disabled; not in education; employment or training and who live within reach of SEPnet universities.

The project has enabled over 55 young people from six communities to build confidence and achievement through a unique science and media art collaboration.

Tine added: “We often forget that universities don’t just award degrees but connect with communities, with businesses and in this case with young people. We are not an exclusive community for the few, but engaging with society in many innovation ways – LightTAG is just one of them.”
Young people and the public will also have the opportunity to take part in a range of activities on the 12February, including an LED Throwie event at 5pm that will see hundreds of LEDs light up London’s skyline.

For more information visit: www.lighttag.wordpress.com; www.twitter.com/lighttag or search “LightTAG” on Facebook.

Next Thursday, May 26th at 7:00p.m. is the 6th Annual Youth Film Festival on Social Justice. This year’s theme is Unhealthy L.A.?: Is Los Angeles a healthy or unhealthy city for youth? Please come out and support local youth as they showcase their films! Student photography from Venice Arts’ project Picturing Health will also be on display at the event.

More info: www.bresee.org | Directions: Map

This Friday the ICEF Visual and Media Arts Department is holding its 1st All ICEF Public Schools Art Exhibition.

Student artwork, films, graphic design, and animation from all 15 ICEF Public Schools, grades K-12 will be on display.
The exhibit is open to all community, students, staff, and families.

Location: Norm Maxwell Gallery at 430 N. Fairfax, Los Angeles, CA 90036.

Opening reception Friday May 20 5:00-8:00 pm
Family Day Saturday May 21 11:00am-3:00 pm

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Picturing Health visually explores both the strengths and challenges of eight Central and Southern California communities as seen through the eyes of teens. Through a two-year

project run by Venice Arts with the support of The California Endowment, 80 youth explored what they felt were barriers to a healthy life including trash-filled streets, lack of park space, teen pregnancy, and the presence of gangs.

They also documented community heros, vibrant culture, friendship, and family. Please join us as we celebrate their achievements.

Opens March 12, with a reception and talk with several of the young artists from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Open through April 30, 2011.

Click here to see a selection of work from this project.

Public Screenings

A series of free public programs at the Venice Arts Gallery will complement the exhibition.

Food, Inc.
Saturday, April 9, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
This Academy Award-nominated documentary exposes America’s industrialized food system and its effect on our environment, health, economy, and workers’ rights.

Home Is Where You Find It
Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
This documentary short by Mozambican teenager Alcides Soares about finding home and family after losing both parents to AIDS offers a personal lens into this global health crisis. The film is part of Venice Arts’ project The House is Small but the Welcome is Big.

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Elev8ed, the call-to-action project from the TEDActive 2011 education group, is reaching out to students to add their voices to the education conversation.

They are looking for videos that:

• Offer new ideas for what education could be, and/or
• Inspire others to transform education, and/or
• Propose specific actions you or others can take to improve education in your community

Video Guidelines: 2 – 3 minutes long (not a hard and fast rule), use first names only, please only show youth age 13 or older and who have given you permission to be in the video, use family-friendly language, give credit to your sources, and remember:  your audience is the world!

For more information, visit Elev8ed.org

Things couldn’t be going much better for Lil Wayne’s career. He’s one of pop music’s major stars, and he’s responsible for the paths of Drake and Nicki Minaj, who are not only among his biggest competitors, but are signed to his Young Money label.

But earlier this week, Lil Wayne was called to task by three little girls. Sisters Nia, 10, Nya, 9, and Kamaria, 5, who form the Baltimore, Maryland-based group Watoto From The Nile, released a song, “Letter To Lil Wayne,” that questions the New Orleans rapper’s lyrics that degrade women and promote drug abuse.

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