Social Change Scientists at Work

History of the Media Arts Academy

The birth of the Media Arts Academy began in 2009 with the Race Initiative Media Arts Academy. RIYMAA was one of the many events designed to engage youth in this community-wide preparation for the upcoming Race Exhibit: Race, Are We So Different, which will be on display at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum for four months during 2010. Looking through the eyes of history, science and lived experience, the RACE Project explains differences among people and reveals the reality – and unreality – of race. The story of race is complex and may challenge how we think about race and human variation, about the differences and similarities among people. Learn more: visit the website. www.understandingrace.org. Worldwide Family Media Productions and Western Michigan University took this opportunity to reach out to diverse youth of this region and stimulated broad-based, productive community dialogue on issues of race, diversity, tolerance, and social justice through the free Race Initiative Youth Media Arts Academy. (RIYMAA) During the six sessions, RIYMAA participants explored some of these differences through various forms of Media Art. The documentary produced by these youth will be presented Thursday October 21, 2010 7pm at WMU Little Theater. (donation) The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo and the Michigan Council supported this program for Arts and Cultural Affairs.