MAE News:
ESPAÑOLA — Moving Arts Española (MAE) is bringing youth voices together with local legislators at a roundtable event focused on policy solutions for navigating societal barriers to success.
The event is 1-3 p.m. Sunday, July 30, at Moving Arts Española and will be live streamed via YouTube. Participating youth have completed a seven week Career Technical Education program in partnership with Future Focused Education and the National Latino Behavioral Health Associations’ Connecting our Voices career pathways network.
Moderating the event is Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, chair of Health and Human Services in the New Mexico State Senate. Sen. Leo Jaramillo and Rep. Andrea Romero will also be in attendance.
“I look forward to meeting with leaders from Moving Arts Española along with interns from the National Latino Behavioral Health Association who are exploring new pathways for people to access mental and behavioral health services,” Sen. Jaramillo said. “It is important that we come together to think of ways in which we can keep people healthy – mentally, physically, and emotionally.”
Students have been working with instructor James Lily in the newly renovated Moving Arts Española Digital Media Lab, Bowie’s Backstage – a launchpad for young adults. Lilly began the program teaching filming techniques, then students began filming the messages before moving on to the process of editing the videos. In preparing short videos that address mental health and societal barriers to success, the students gain a greater understanding of community issues, including; multi-generational poverty, trauma, substance abuse, and violence.
Luca Martinez, a student in the program said that the most exciting part for him has been splicing together video using different angles and shots to convey a compelling message. Martinez is also curious to see the response the videos get on social media. He said, “It would be cool if they go viral, but even if they help one person, that’s good.”
The program began June 12 and ends July 27. The students will then attend Moving Arts Española’s third annual Creative Leadership Workshop July 28-30, which culminates in the roundtable event. The program included ten youth and young adult interns, aged 16-21. During the program, the interns also learned targeted skill development to enhance their social-emotional intelligence and workforce readiness.
Moving Arts Española is committed to fostering growth, empowerment and creating positive change within our community. These initiatives highlight the organization’s dedication to the well-being and development of youth and young adults within Northern New Mexico while actively tackling the social challenges faced by the community head-on.
As a non-profit, the mission of Moving Arts Española is building community and cultivating leaders through arts and culture. Moving Arts Española accomplishes their mission by providing high quality, affordable performing and visual arts education and free nutritional and academic support for children and youth ages 3-18, and young adults ages 18-25. Their programs are designed to promote the creative, physical, academic, social and emotional health and well being of children, youth, and young adults from the Española Valley and the surrounding communities of Northern New Mexico.
To donate to Moving Arts Española, donations can be mailed to: Moving Arts Española, PO Box 505, Velarde, NM 87582. Donations are tax deductible.
For additional information about the upcoming event you may contact Salvador Ruiz by email at executivedirector@movingartsespanola.org.
