PhotoVoice Evaluation
PhotoVoice is a participatory action evaluation method that teaches photography alongside critical analysis. This method fits well with the heART Center as an evaluation project because it includes an art form which is approachable by the young people at courageous heARTS. Initially developed as a 24 week curriculum, the Evaluation Committee developed a strategic plan to conduct a PhotoVoice project in a semester-long project.
Youth were recruited for the Evaluation team by trusted adult volunteers in the heART Center, with the intention of creating leadership building opportunities other than the Youth Advisory Board that contributed to the space in constructive ways. All high school youth were invited to participate in the evaluation project. Youth were also recruited by each other to join the team of photographers and evaluators.
Based on our findings, the recommendations of the youth in continuing work at courageous heARTS are:
Youth were recruited for the Evaluation team by trusted adult volunteers in the heART Center, with the intention of creating leadership building opportunities other than the Youth Advisory Board that contributed to the space in constructive ways. All high school youth were invited to participate in the evaluation project. Youth were also recruited by each other to join the team of photographers and evaluators.
Based on our findings, the recommendations of the youth in continuing work at courageous heARTS are:
- Listen to the youth, respect their time. Know their stories.
- Continue comfort. The youth value that they are comfortable being themselves here.
- Maintain acceptance of all ways of being.
- Live the core values: intention, creativity, gratitude, originality, courage, integrity, leadership, positivity.
- Continue to be in the community - physical space and in community engagement.
- Recognize trauma and know ways of working with it without naming it.
UnchARTed: “The power is in our hands.”
Helping Hands: “It’s kinda like community and stuff”
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Come Hither: “An open space that is free and safe is the best kind of space.”
Juxtapose: “Art is a reflection of you, and you are a reflection of heARTS.”
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French Pens: “Picture of a carefree and judgement free space.”
Convergence: “Like harmonies and symphonies, everyone has something to contribute.”
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Cat Dance “heARTS is a non-judgemental space. From boredom comes ART. Weird things happen and that’s art too.”
Jug O’Love: “We’re all different types of people but we’re united because we love art.”
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