Through the height of social distancing we were required to be physically distant but continued to have a need to be socially/culturally connected. As you know, we are all turned to the arts to comfort and engage us.

The outreach programs that City Lights has conducted with artists for the Bridgeport schools will be transitioned to online format. Content will be adapted to be relevant to classroom curriculum and the situation of Covid19 that the students, family and friends are contending with. Transferable skills like

These programs are among the programs being planned and piloted as we raise funds that will enable us to really ramp up the momentum once the financial support is received.

COVID19 CHRONICLES
Programs will include a student-led creative writing on line journalism project, called the Covid19 Chronicles. Youth are empowered to gain insight from elders and peers by chronicling the disruption of daily activities, innovations/hardships of social distancing and the economic impact from the shutdown, gaining insight from elders and peers. Through this multi-generational project, together they create a living history document and song. Copies will be gifted to the Bridgeport Public library, who has requested that community members keep journals and donate them. Students learn and practice interview and writing skills, and illustration and photography for stories. Students will gain transferable skills for work, school and interpersonal relations like collaboration, following directions, public speaking and problem solving.

BRIDGEPORT COMES TOGETHER THROUGH COVID-19
Another project in formulation is a direct development from other successful in-school programs.
Students will learn about music and songwriting and the benefits of collaboration and express their thoughts and feelings by writing an original song.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9d2nq0wj4zlomqo/AAB8IDa0X_ymqtHCAziGTwVja?dl=0

Other projects in formulation will connect art, history and cultural arts exploring cultural diversity and finding the commonalities.

Here is a link to the outreach programs https://www.citylightsgallery.org/community-outreach/

Artists work, online arts enrichment programs for youthProject photos

Artists work, online arts enrichment programs for youth
Project photos