Northwest Folklife 2019

4 CULTURAL FOCUS: YOUTH RISING Each year, Northwest Folklife presents the ‘Cultural Focus’, a year-round exploration of a Pacific Northwest community through special performances, panels, workshops, exhibitions, demonstrations, and educational materials. This program allows Northwest Folklife to connect more in-depth with the people we serve to support and cultivate their artistic expressions and cultural traditions. Northwest Folklife presents the 2019 Cultural Focus: Youth Rising . As folk is “for the people, by the people” this Cultural Focus is built “for and by the youth.” In partnership with youth organizations and community partners, this program convened a youth and mentor cohort in late 2018. This committee began meeting monthly to envision how Youth Rising could become a resource for youth leaders, artists, musicians, and changemakers to celebrate and amplify youth voices. In a series of community gatherings, brainstorming sessions, and design workshops, the cohort developed an innovative platform to network, showcase, and inspire through arts: The Hydrant. Throughout 2019, the Cultural Focus will weave through all of Northwest Folklife’s programs, including the 48th annual Northwest Folklife Festival, the Youth Residencies, the 6th annual Seattle Children’s Festival, and the Our Big Neighborhood program . Audiences will experience youth voices from around the Pacific Northwest through stories, visual art, film, music, song, dance, and culture. To learn more about the Cultural Focus, please visit nwfolklife.org/youthrising The Hydrant = A youth-led platform that provides opportunities to network, showcase, and inspire through arts of all kinds from local to global scale. The Hydrant is a platform conceived by the Youth Rising Cultural Focus project that serves as a creative think tank and platform that amplifies the voices, stories, and impact of emerging leaders in the arts community. Acting as a hub, The Hydrant connects young creators to one another, to mentors, and audiences. It provides inspiration, opportunities, resources, and connections to local organizations active on issues most important to young people, their families, and communities. Visit www.TapTheHydrant.com to learn more and get involved! Northwest Folklife’s YOUTH RISING 2019 CULTURAL FOCUS “ Being a part of The Hydrant is not only a great opportunity for myself as an artist, to work, learn and collaborate with new people from my own city but also the start of what I personally believe people all around the world should be doing through art. The Hydrant is a great platform for youth to express themselves and have a 24/7 outlet, taking away from the troubles that come along with the saturated and unfair system we live in. Hope to see it grow into something to what now seems unfathomable. ” - Kid Roman, age 19 FOLLOW @THEHYDRANT ON INSTAGRAM Introducing