Projects & Initiatives
DOPE SWAN is dedicated to ensuring strong ties between the community and it’s artists by creating programs that not only enhance our member artists, but provide insight and direction for our communities.
Our Projects & Initiatives
aesthetic
A community-based arts education program, aesthetic’s goal is to bring and keep the arts in underserved communities. Through aesthetic, DOPE SWAN, hosts regularly scheduled workshops and classes delivered by our member artists including instruction in painting, photography, music, dance and graphic design. Free of charge, all aesthetic classes are for both children and adults.
Brooklyn, Stand Up!
Documenting the Brooklyn Renaissance
Brooklyn, Stand Up! will be a year-long exploration into the many ways in which Brooklyn’s self-made artists, activists and entrepreneurs cross traditionally strict professional guidelines - challenging every business model and social construct.
The project includes "A Great Day in Brooklyn," a feature story in an international magazine, monthly arts programming, an online archive of interviews , arts exhibition, and scholarship fund for Brooklyn students wishing to pursue an education in the arts.
Fight!: Being Mad & Angry Enough to Change
Stories of Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things
Fight! is the story of women who grew weary of waiting for change to come to their communities and decided to impact their own lives through active participation. A mix of first and third person accounts, Fight! hopes to serve as a blueprint for other women and girls who are mad and angry about the substandard living conditions women deal with globally.
The project will include a book, art exhibit and interactive CD component. All proceeds from the project will be donated to organizations working hands on to make changes in quality of life issues affecting women and girls in the areas of education, healthcare, career training and housing.
