Sound Design / Projections for Building Home, an art installation amplifying youth narratives around housing in Saint John, NB
I've been grateful to have had the opportunity to work in collaboration with the Teen Resource Center and Saint John Arts Centre for the past few months to design sounds and projections for a very special art installation that was shown publicly in Saint John, NB from Nov. 21-29, in Market Square, at the old museum!! I'm very proud of the project!! It's also been such a pleasure to be part of a creative team with my mom Harriet Taylor and wife Emily Estella Blair! The installation attracted more than 450 visitors and inspired conversation around youth housing in this city.
Building Home is a life-sized art installation that showcases what youth want to share about their experiences searching for housing and trying to build a sense of home. Co-created by local artists and youth, Building Home offered attendees the opportunity to learn from youth experiences and aims to educate and inspire citizens to strive for better housing for youth in our city and across the province.
It was a deeply powerful and changing experience to work as a conduit for these narratives through the mediums of sound and projection. Most of the recordings used in this installation were documented by either the youth or case workers. I am deeply honoured to have been able to transmit these messages in a meaningful way.
Building Home - Concept
Amplify Youth Voice
Building Home offers a glimpse into the world of youth housing. You are welcome to walk through house-like structures and immerse yourself in what youth from a HF4Y program have highlighted as impactful elements of their housing journeys. Youth are taking charge of their narratives and sharing what they feel is important for their communities to know about the experiences of housing precarity in Saint John. Come join us and learn more about the housing challenges that influence youth and the solutions that are available to them. This project signals the importance youth have in our city, and our commitment to build better futures for young people across the city and the province.
A Collaborative Approach
This project started as a research initiative where we held one-on-one interviews with youth in a HF4Y program to capture what they felt was important to share about their lives before and after engaging in a housing program. From there, the TRC was awarded a grant from the National Housing Strategy Fund from CMHC. With this grant, we put together an interdisciplinary team made up of artists, youth experts, case managers, and researchers to transform the housing experiences that had been shared with us into an art installation that pushes for change in our city.
Art as Social Action
Throughout a series of sessions with youth, we have been able to check-in and make sure that what is important to their experiences are properly represented. Youth have the ability to provide feedback, make decisions over what is included and how it gets represented, and get involved in the creation of the installation. We are working together to respect the stories that youth have shared with us and bring these ideas to life.
In all, this project aims to alleviate stigma and promote advocacy for better housing options for youth. It promotes housing as a basic-need and a human right. It highlights the importance of understanding the experiences of youth who struggle with homelessness and housing precarity. It leverages our partnerships to promote youth voice and holds youth housing and support programs to higher standards.
Teen Resource Centre
The Teen Resource Centre in Saint John provides a safe and encouraging environment for youth to explore their full potential.
We offer services and programs for youth between the ages of 12-24, designed to foster in them the creativity, energy and leadership our community needs to grow and thrive. The work we do focuses on:
providing services and programs that assist youth with their physical and mental health.
providing on-site services to assist youth who are homeless or living in vulnerable situations.
facilitating career path and mentoring to help youth build life skills.
creating opportunities for community volunteerism and leadership training.
encouraging youth to explore and discover their interests and passions.
The support and services provided by the TRC directly contributes to a healthy and vibrant youth population, reducing the risks associated with crime, homelessness, addiction and recidivism.
Saint John Arts Centre
https://www.sjartscentre.ca/about-sjac/
The Saint John Arts Centre is a multidisciplinary venue, dedicated to serving the community through arts, educational and cultural programming accessible to all. We strive to be an innovative showcase for all forms of creative expression and multidisciplinary thought.
Through our programming we offer:
An exhibition schedule in five galleries
Workshops in Visual, Performing and Fiber Arts
A Literary Series
A Performing Arts Schedule in Theatre and Music
Educational Tours
Community, Social and Ceremonial Events
Youth Development Programs