Street-Level Youth Media
1856 West Chicago Avenue, 1st Floor StorefrontChicagoIL60622773-862-5331
773-862-0754

Program: Street-Level Youth Media Year Started: 1992/1995 Focus: Media, Video & Humanities Youth Served: 500 Ages: 5-21 Budget: $195,000 Street-Level puts Youth Media the latest communications technology into the hands of urban youth through courses in documentary production, computer art and use of the Internet. All classes are free and held at Street-Level. Programs are created in collaboration with existing youth centers and community institutions. Street-Level, founded in 1992, is known for its video training and production work with youth. In 1995, a team of media artists and educators came together to form Live Wire Youth Media, with the belief that urban young people need to be literate in today's technologies. The organizations recently merged in the hopes of creating a network of media labs throughout Chicago, bringing youth together to share their visions and to rebuild their communities. Youth are referred to the program by probation officers, parents, social service agencies or friends who have participated. Current projects include creation of a video documenting and interpreting the history of one of Chicago's most diverse neighborhoods for a Chicago Historical Society Exhibition. In collaboration with Randoph Street Gallery, Street-Level instructors are working with youth to produce a video installation on the realities of gang culture. In this project, video is being used as a communication tool to bring rival gang members together on "neutral ground" to address their differences. Street-Level Youth Media can be contacted on its Web Home Page.