Changing Worlds

After-school program:arts & cultural connections program (acc) - changing worlds' acc programs partner with grade k-12 learners in schools and community-based organizations with artists in culturally focused residencies in visual arts, digital media, dance, theater, and music. These residencies activate the stories of our participants' lives through the exploration of identity, community and culture while being taught the essential core concepts of the fine arts.

Community outreach initiatives:family nights - family nights enable groups of all ages to discover the unexpected connections through the celebration of family history, culture and heritage. Incorporating hands-on experiences and storytelling, each family will create a collaborative project that is meaningful to them. Examples include creating a family tree, designing a family self-portrait, engaging in a community dance workshop or participating in painting a mural. Participants in family nights will engage in hands-on activities and discover unexpected connections and commonalities with each other.traveling art exhibits - changing worlds' traveling exhibits follow the journeys of chicago immigrants and refugee families through their stories of relocation, change, and adaptation to our city. There are two options for schools, community centers, and organizers of events/workshops to consider: 1) family stories and 2) immigrant experience through the eyes of teens.the art of dei living program for adult in working environments. Changing worlds uses multi-disciplinary art forms to engage employees including storytelling, poetry, music, and drawing. To engage in a meaningful way, people must address uncomfortable topics and acknowledge difficult issues. The use of art allows employees to participate in these conversations in a less threatening manner and leads to creative ways of communication. The focus of the workshops is to create a respectful, healthy and harmonious communication environment for the purpose of achieving intentional productivity while allowing employees and employers alike to feel supported by each other, as well as any clients they serve. The workshops include reflective discussion, including how the presence of diverse cultures may impact the nature of our interactions. Particular focus allows differences to be a strength; to help participants to see other perspectives without forcing it on someone else; and to see how similarities can help see each other's humanity, leading potentially to empathy, and more compassionate, understanding responses to each other.