the berkeley rep magazine - Berkeley Repertory Theatre

eport
Teen Council makes a claim
by hannah lennett
on february 12, members of Berkeley Rep’s Teen Council put down their smartphones,
pushed aside sat study books, and took a leading role in a cause that may
sound less exciting than the Occupy movement, but one these teen artists and arts
patrons hold dear: arts advocacy.
“Claim: your Education. your Voice.
visit berkeleyrep.org/claimyourarts, your Arts” (ClaimyourARTS) was hosted
facebook.com/claimyourarts, or by Berkeley Rep’s School of Theatre (just a
follow the campaign on twitter at hop down the street from the Theatre). In
#claimyourarts. you can find out about addition to offering classes, outreach pro-
all of berkeley rep’s school of theatre gramming, and a host of workshops and
programs at berkeleyrep.org/school. events for all ages, the School of Theatre
is home to the Teen Council, a group of
more than 250 Bay Area teens who are passionate about becoming informed and
engaged artists.
After spending months discussing their frustration about not having a voice in
the elimination of arts programs in their schools and communities, as well as not
having the resources to advocate effectively if given the chance, a committee of
10 Teen Council members decided that it was time to create an event where teens
could rally around their cause and become articulate advocates. They spent January
marketing, designing, and organizing an arts advocacy training day for their
peers. On February 12 at 10am, 60 arts advocates determinedly clutching cups of
12 · the berkeley rep magazine · 2011–12 · SPECIAL ISSUE
Teen arts advocates at Arts Advocacy day
photo by kyle sircus
“ I am an arts advocate. The
arts are vital for my education.
They empower and
inspire. The arts are necessary
for my development
as a person. They help
me to be open-minded,
empathetic, and creative.
The arts improve my community
and my world because
they generate and
captivate. I will speak up
for the arts because every
person, no matter their
background, deserves to
be unique, blissfully playful,
and confident. This is
our education. Our voice.
Our arts. And this is why I
am an arts advocate.”
the claimyourarts manifesto