The Beat Academy
“Youth Center Perspektiva” is actually implementing the project “The Beat Academy”, which started in April 2024 and will finish in September 2024.
Art has always been a powerful way of expression and change and its impact is particularly life-changing, when embraced by young people. Through artistic skills, they can share their experiences, challenge societal stereotypes, and stand up for important causes. Creating art helps young people grow and develop skills, but also empowers individuals to amplify their voices and inspire collective action, while giving them a voice to make a difference. By using art as a tool for activism, young people can confront injustices, promote social change, contribute to an equal world, address issues and leaving a positive impact on their communities and beyond.
By supporting young people in their art and encouraging artistic expression, we help young people to become thoughtful leaders and advocates. Art provides a unique platform for them to explore and communicate their values, challenge the status quo, and engage in meaningful dialogue about issues in their community. This empowerment brings positive changes in their communities and beyond.
This is why “Youth Center Perspektiva” is implementing a project that combats negative stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination by harnessing the expressive power of urban street art, including breakdance, freestyle, and artistic works. The main content revolves around theoretical education on stereotypes and discrimination, coupled with hands-on skill-building in urban street art.
The project aims to empower young participants with theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and a sense of advocacy against societal norms.
Over a six-month timeline, the project included several activities. The first activity is a 6-day training “The Beat Academy” and some follow-up activities, including specialized workshops, material development, awareness raising activities, and dance performance.
The project will include different non-formal education methodologies, including experiential learning, collaborative learning, and creative expression through urban street art.
The training was held in Durres, from 15-21st May. The training was attended by 25 young people from different communities, aged 15-30 years old. The training was focused in teaching participants how to use breakdance, freestyle and artistic works as a tool for activism. Through these sessions, participants refined their breakdance and freestyle techniques but also unleashed their creativity in artistic works that convey powerful messages against discrimination. The Beat Academy became a melting pot of creativity, collaboration, and self-discovery as participants contributed to the creation of impactful digital products.
During the training participants developed a set of products which will be shared online to raise awareness on the impact of gender stereotypes and roles. They also worked together on developing ideas for creating short videos and some of the participants were part of the choreography. In the end of the training, the participants also planned to hold 4 workshops in different cities of Albania, such as: Elbasan, Tirana and Durres, each workshop had at least 20 participants.
During the follow up activities were implemented 4 workshops together with participants who attended the academy. The workshops were organized in: Elbasan, Tirana and Klos, participant were working together on implementing the workshop, and the Perspektiva team helped them.
They developed products, such as posters, videos, paintings, photos, which were based on the idea or topics addressed in The Beat Academy. These products will be disseminated online in the social media channels of Perspektiva and will serve as an online tool to raise awareness and reach out to other young people.
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