Mentorship, event management, showcase production & social media management
Being able to connect with young Black artist in Alberta, was an honor and a privilege. Being able to guide them and give them the tools I wish I had growing up and after immigrating to Canada is so important to me. Seeing their final pieces at their showcase was so moving.
Black Kid Joy Mentorship program and Showcase
Founded by multidisciplinary artist MelVee X and funded generously through Calgary Arts Development, Black Kid Joy is an initiative to empower Black youth ages 13-19 through artistic development.
Held virtually over Zoom during the summer of July 2020 for a two-week period, this free program for young Black artists created an opportunity for participants to create independent works of art for a youth artist exhibition with the guidance of a professional artist facilitator team. The approach to Black Kid Joy was two-fold: providing a foundational understanding of culturally relevant social issues through a series of co-facilitated workshops and small group work with peer artists led by an artist mentor to develop their concepts and receive guidance from a professional artist.
Due to the physical restrictions of the program, youth were provided artistic tools and supplies of their choosing, which were delivered to them directly through the kind assistance of the dedicated artist facilitator team.
It is the hope and intention of myself, MelVee, that Black Kid Joy will be able to grow and support Black youth in their artistic aspirations and show them it is possible and achievable to develop a rewarding artistic career and practice.