creativestrategiesforchange CSC 3, Events, Get Involved, Programs, What's New, Workshops

Launching This Spring: CSC Community Leadership Cohort

Introducing the new CSC Community Leadership Cohort! Friday, April 30, the Spring 2021 Facilitator Workshop will launch a 6 month cohort rooted in collective care for racial equity and mental wellness. After the initial 20 hour workshop diving deep into the CSC 3 facilitation model integrating arts engagement, restorative practices, and social justice, participants will continue to connect and collaborate each week through a series of opportunities with the CSC Team and some extraordinary community partners.

In addition to weekly sessions, Cohort participants will have monthly meetings with a CSC facilitator to support their racial equity and mental health journey through accountability, mentorship, coaching, empathy, and other needs that may arise in the process. The 2021 Community Leadership Cohort (CLC) will culminate with a celebration in early November. Connections will continue to be nurtured through ongoing CSC programs including monthly Alumni gatherings.

The inaugural CLC will be a hybrid of virtual and in person engagements. The first 20 hours of workshop time in April & May will be via zoom. Weekly offerings will be a combination of in person and virtual formats beginning in June.

Our goals for this project include:

  • Increasing individual and collective leadership capacity to promote racial equity,
  • Reducing mental health stigma for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color through arts engagement and restorative practices
  • Increasing access to culturally responsive and relevant mental health resources, spaces, programs and events, especially for BIPOC
  • Build diverse, healthy relationships and networks activated for racial equity.

This program launches April 30th beginning with the Facilitator Workshop.

The dates of the workshop are:

April 30 4:30-8:00pm MST

May 1 10:30am-2:30pm MST

May 2 10:30am-1:30pm MST

May 7 10:30-1:30pm MST

May 8 4:30-8:00pm MST

Are you interested in learning more or applying for the Spring CLC? Apply here!

creativestrategiesforchange Get Involved, What's New

CSC IS HIRING A YOUTH CO-FACILITATOR

CSC Youth Co-Facilitator Artist Position

Part Time | Independent Contractor | Ages 18-24 |

Contract Dates: August 10-21, 2:00PM-4:00PM MST 

Compensation: $30-40/hr. (based on training and experience)

CSC is seeking a young leader to support workshops for our ACT Youth Institute. We are looking for a Youth Co-Facilitator who is committed to providing artistic and educational excellence in alignment with the CSC mission, vision, and values. CSC also has occasional opportunities to participate in performances and workshops outside of regularly scheduled enrichment programs. 

At CSC, we teach practical frameworks of Social Justice through Arts Engagement and Restorative practices. As a facilitating artist, you will be given the tools to teach an understanding of systems of oppression, social identities, community engagement and more to all school levels. As a facilitating artist, you will have a tremendously positive effect on your community.  

Responsibilities: 

The Youth Facilitating Artist will be responsible for supporting planning and teaching the ACT Youth Institute, running over the course of 2 weeks utilizing the CSC Curriculum and Model – integrating social justice frameworks and restorative practices, with arts education. Workshops follow a specific structure and allow room for creative liberty, while working with students to develop a culminating presentation or performance. Facilitating Artists are responsible for administering post student assessments, as well as completing weekly planning documents. Facilitating artists are required to complete the orientation and training 

Skills and Qualifications:

·   Commitment to the CSC mission, vision, and values.

·   Commitment to the CSC Organizational Agreements and Restorative System in principle and practice.

·   Interest in and/or experience as a teaching artist in the specified art form, with clear understanding of youth arts education, development, and engagement.

·   Proactive, self-motivated, positive attitude, able to work independently and interdependently with the diverse CSC Team, students, and community.

·   Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

·   A passion to learn social, racial, and restorative justice.

·   Critical, strategic thinking and the capacity to manage multiple priorities.

·   Flexibility to adjust and creatively navigate unforeseen challenges.

·   Working knowledge of Google Drive and Surveymonkey preferred.

·   CSC team members are required to participate in the facilitator training once each year. 

To apply for a Youth Facilitating Artist position, please send a cover letter stating your interest in working with CSC and specifying your art forms,  with a resume, references, and examples of your work to bianca@creativestrategiesforchange.com. Please visit the website to learn more about the organization, and don’t hesitate to contact!

CSC strongly encourages applications from diverse, creative, leaders of color for all listed positions. Creative Strategies for Change is committed to a policy of equitable representation across the organization and will not discriminate on the basis of race, ability status, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, socioeconomic status, or other social identities.

creativestrategiesforchange CSC 3, Events, Get Involved, Introduction, Professional Development, Programs, What's New, Workshops

Spring Virtual Workshop Series

CSC Spring Virtual Workshop Series 2020

REGISTER TODAY BY CLICKING ON THE EVENTS BELOW!

Come connect and exchange creative wellness strategies in celebration of Mental Health Month!

We will utilize music, freewriting and other tools to foster a space of rejuvenation. People participating will receive culturally responsive facilitation honing the opportunities available for centering self and others.

DONATION BASED. Facilitated by Bianca Mikahn.

Explore the arts as a tool for communication and change in this interactive zoom workshop

Social Imagination describes our human capacity to connect across our differences and not only build empathy and understanding, but take action for equity and justice.

Experiment with creative activities and facilitation tools in this trauma informed workshop for facilitators, educators, artists, social workers, and anyone navigating challenging conversations and topics in the current zoomisphere.

Bring your whole self, there will be room for movement and somatics, emotions, ideas, and questions. Come together and get creative as we navigate individual and collective wellness in this time of unprecedented uncertainty.

Facilitated by Bianca Mikahn and Rachael Sharp.

Sliding Scale Tuition, Scholarships May Be Available.

6/4: 4-6PM MST: RACIAL EQUITY FOUNDATIONS 

Dive into key concepts, terms, and tools for combatting racism and cultivating racial equity in this interactive zoom workshop.

Racial Equity Foundations is a primer introductory workshop that starts at square one. Defining race and relevant terms, understading how structural racism functions, addressing specific issues in the time of Covid-19, and engaging tools for equity. This is a great opportunity for facilitators, educators, artists, social workers, and anyone ready to begin the journey toward racial equity in your work and your community.

Facilitated by Bianca Mikahn and Rachael Sharp.

Sliding Scale Tuition, Scholarships May Be Available.

6/9: 4:30-6:30PM MST: CHECK YOUR HEAD: CREATIVE TOOLS FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Explore the arts as a tool for mental health in this interactive zoom workshop.

This interactive program creates a safe environment to identify mental health needs and explore issues such as identity, conflict navigation, and stress, through the use of creative art and self-expression. CYH incorporates artistic practices from journaling and lyric writing to painting and drawing.

Facilitated by Bianca Mikahn.

Sliding Scale Tuition, Scholarships May Be Available.

creativestrategiesforchange CSC 3, Events, Get Involved, Professional Development, Programs, What's New, Workshops

CSC Workshops and #GivingTuesdayNow

CSC is busy applying for emergency relief funds and adapting all of our programs to virtual formats. Check out our list of offerings and our virtual workshop series kicking off May 19.

 “I learned about culture. I also learned about teamwork. I also learned about how people are different and how we can appreciate that. I also learned that I can express myself in front of others and be proud of who I am. I also learned that people can have a different perspective than you but it’s okay.”  – CSC Middle School Student

We know that meaningful arts programming, social-emotional learning, communication and conflict navigation skills are especially important for our young people right now. We are working on creative ways to fund our innovative and impactful youth programs in lieu of standard school funding. Our goal is to not only stay open, but to continue to provide our programs for our constituents, and support the talented and diverse team of artists who work with us as independent contractors. In addition to working with the foundations that support us, and applying for emergency relief, we are asking our supporters like you to contribute in any of the following ways. If you are reading this on May 5, it is #GivingTuesdayNow, a great time to give if you can!

Colorado Gives: Give what you can anytime, every dollar counts!

Mixtape – Bandcamp: Make your donation and purchase the mixtape.

Social Imagination 5/19: Register or Donate for CSC’s Virtual PD Workshop Kickoff!

You can also give through cashapp $CreativeStrategies or send a check to: CSC 2900 N. Downing St., Suite 1B, Denver, CO, 80205.

We are so grateful for your support of CSC’s work for justice and equity, it is as essential as ever during this pandemic!  Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or would like to connect!

creativestrategiesforchange CSC 3, Events, Get Involved, Introduction, Professional Development, Programs, What's New, Workshops

CSC Interactive Virtual Offerings for All Ages

CSC is now facilitating our innovative programs online! Below is a list of offerings that can be adapted for young people, adults, and intergenerational formats. And don’t forget about our donation based monthly open mic, hosted by Bianca Mikahn, with amazing featured artists! This is just the beginning… stay tuned to our social media for all of the latest updates!

CSC Workshops and Circles are for youth, adult or intergenerational groups. The innovative CSC3 facilitation model integrates the arts, restorative practices, and an intersectional social justice (anti-oppression) framework.

Through large and small group activities and facilitated dialogue, participants build shared language and experiences with individualized opportunities for reflection. CSC’s diverse team brings a breadth of perspective and experience. Workshops and Circles can be tailored to meet your unique needs and budget. Let us know if you would like more information!

WORKSHOPS & RESIDENCIES

  • Arts for Action
    • Applied Theater
    • Digital Storytelling
    • Drumming and Beyond
    • Hip Hop
    • Spoken Word
    • Visual Arts
  • Beyond the Bully: Relate & Communicate   
  • Check Your Head: Creative Tools for Mental Health 
  • Cultural Responsiveness [in Virtual Space]
  • Cyber Somatics
  • Disrupting White Supremacy Cultural Norms 
  • Embodying Equity
    • CSC Anti-Oppression Framework  
    • Racial Equity Foundations   
    • Understanding and Interrupting Implicit Bias  
    • Racial Equity Systems: Analysis, Vision, & Action  
  • Health Equity & Covid 19 
  • Social Imagination: Art for Empathy and Action 
  • Somatics, Equity & Inclusion [in Virtual Space]  
  • Trauma Informed Facilitation [in Virtual Space]  

INDIVIDUAL OR RECURRING CIRCLES 

  • Collaborative Learning Circles 
  • Empathy Circles  
  • Racial Equity Caucus Circles  
  • Restorative Circles 

*All workshops currently occur through Zoom. Varying streaming platforms can be established in collaboration with client requests.*

CSC’s diverse team of artists and consultants bring a breadth of perspective and experience to our clients. We do our best to work with each organization’s unique needs and budgets, while maintaining equitable rates for our facilitators. Please let us know if the rates are prohibitive, we may be able to help find funding, offer an adapted program or presentation with 1 facilitator, or provide a discount.

Get in touch to find out more!

720-437-0195 | csc@creativestrategiesforchange.com

creativestrategiesforchange Events, Get Involved, What's New

CSC Response to Coronavirus (COVID 19)

Creative Strategies for Change Response to Coronavirus (COVID 19)

Local and national response to the Coronavirus public health crisis is changing daily. CSC has been in regular communication as a team, and with our school and community partners and clients. We are centering collective care and responsiveness. CSC is following all public health guidelines from the CDC and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and doing our part to “flatten the curve” and slow the spread of the virus. We are also giving special attention to our community’s mental health needs at this time and encourage extending extra patience and compassion for ourselves and one another while anxiety and fear are heightened. See additional resources below.

This time is very challenging for grassroots and arts organizations like CSC. We are working on balancing our response to immediate needs and long term preparedness. With so many changes facing us every day, many in our team are directly affected. Our work typically happens live and in person, and our team of artists and facilitators are at the heart of CSC. While we are adapting to changes and implementing virtual options whenever possible, we are also raising funds to support lost wages as school closures and program cancellations become standard practice.

Please consider contributing to the CSC Artist Fund.

Beginning March 16:

CSC offices are closed. All staff are working remotely until April 17. We will follow further public safety and social/physical distancing protocols as they are announced. Staff will be available during regularly scheduled hours by email and phone. Please call or email if you have questions, need support or resources.

All CSC Community Programs scheduled in March will be facilitated virtually!

Thursday, March 19, 6:30-9:00pm: Community Cypher Open Mic – Featuring Franklin Cruz. 

This will be an adventure! Content will be responsive, joy will be catalyzed, DEI and mental health resources will be available. Link and details posted on facebook.

Tuesday, March 31: Mental Health First Aid – Youth (Abridged)

This will be a short mental health workshop instead of the full day training, which will be postponed. Content will be responsive. Time and format TBD. Updates will be posted on eventbrite.

April updates will be posted.

Resources: There are so many resources out there, we will share just a few links. 

NATIONAL 

Principles for Ethical Cancellation – important considerations and alternatives when cancelling events

Americans for the Arts Resource and Response Center – news and resources for the arts and culture field

Mental Health Resources

COLORADO

The Chinook Fund – scroll to the bottom of the page for resources with a DEI lens.

Meals for Colorado Students

Colorado Cross-Disability Resources

Colorado Emergency Childcare

CSC Artist Fund