Holes in the Wall Collective CSA News 2020 vol.3 |
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"Education is the point at which we decide whether we love the world enough to assume responsibility for it and by the same token save it from that ruin which, except for renewal, except for the coming of the new and young, would be inevitable." Hannah Arendt |
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This month’s focus is on education. As most schools across the globe are closed, it's an interesting time to be focusing on education. In some ways, this intense and locked-down time is an opportunity for other kinds of learning– reading something on your shelf you have been neglecting, learning a craft, calling a grandparent or elder and listening to a piece of oral history. It's also a validation of how much we do glean from community interactions, whether that's in school, places of worship, on the playground, in the barbershop or just at the corner deli. All the more reason to support and show love for teachers, artists, journalists, cultural makers & shapers and those who generate so much of the content we've come to take for granted. |
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So often we think of education focused in institutions and especially towards classroom equity. While there can be no mistake that school access, representation and resources for teachers is essential, education beyond the classroom, across ages and disciplines is not just extra-curricular. It can be the difference between having a roof over your head, a job or being caught up in an unjust criminal system. |
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Education is relational - whether it’s directly from a teacher or mentor, a book or film or within ourselves, information becomes knowledge in action. In this way, we like to think of Education as a verb. It can be as much about ancestral knowledge as how to square our roots, and both might serve us in times of crisis - which we are now collectively facing with a growing global pandemic (to just name the current crisis that has our attention). |
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This month we highlight the Center for Urban Pedagogy. The Center for Urban Pedagogy is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of design and art to increase meaningful civic engagement, particularly among historically underrepresented communities. CUP collaborates with designers, educators, advocates, students, and communities to make educational tools that demystify complex policy and planning issues. |
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The Center for Urban Pedagogy is an organization right up our alley- bringing together people, ideas and materials across sectors to creatively illuminate issues that are relevant to a community. We chose CUP for our month on Education because it’s rare to find an organization that utilizes the power of information and education so directly and well through both design and collaboration, and works relationally with so many people to make their projects. Education is often about how people are empowered with information, especially when that information can be put into action, and that’s where CUP excels. |
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CUP projects are collaborations of art and design professionals, community-based advocates and policymakers, students and CUP staff. Together they take on complex issues—from the juvenile justice system to zoning law to food access—and break them down into simple, accessible, visual explanations, providing individuals with the tools to claim their rights, advocate for their needs, and fight for social justice in their communities. |
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CUP has two arms of their education programs: Community Education and Youth Education Community Education |
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Youth Education - CUP's Youth Education projects ask basic questions about how the city works and answers them over the course of a semester. Where does our garbage go? Where does our water come from? Who built public housing? Students conduct stakeholder interviews and community surveys while working with Teaching Artists and CUP staff to produce award-winning teaching tools such as videos, exhibitions, magazines, and other media that communicate what they've learned to a wide audience..
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And that’s scratching the surface of their programs. Their work deserves a deeper peruse while you self-quarantine this month, so check out their website directly. | | |
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This month's addition for CSA members is on how to make homemade sauerkraut and an invitation to write a former teacher a letter. Sign up to get it in your inbox monthly, while directly helping us continue our programs and 12 other nonprofit organizations. | | |
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Due to the rapid and prudent response across NYC due to Corvid-19, we are postponing our Roundtable on Education March 26th. Stay posted for a future date and stay safe and healthy, wherever you are. |
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Thank YOU as always for your support. That action gives us the energy and resources to support actions across the board. |
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