In 2017, the Arts Council New Orleans, the Young Artist Movement (YAM), and their partner organizations were selected as the winners of the City’s Digital Equity Challenge. The Creative Digital Equity Initiative leverages the power of public art as a high-interest entry point into digital literacy; social, emotional, and professional skill building; and job preparedness for youth. Lead artist Jessica Strahan, along with 15 youth, conceptualized this temporary art installation. It will begin at City Hall and travel to other locations across the city. Throughout the process, youth learned digital skills that are critical to the public art and design process, including: writing professional e-mails and managing a calendar, conducting online research, collaborating on shared google documents, graphic design in Photoshop, and social media marketing. The art installation’s design was informed by an extensive research and engagement process involving 120 community members.
16 talented New Orleans youth contributed to the design and creation of the artwork:
Roy Barree
Nathalie Figueroa
Skye McQuirter
Gerrick Walker
Shanti Broom
Gabrielle Johnson
Raven Sandoval
Annise Watson
Calvin Brown
La’Doya Macklin
Kiyah Simmons
Mariah Williams
Kasey Hunter
Kate Madura
Taneil Vickers
Sly Watts
