BlackOut Arts Collective

Introduction

We live in an age where we are confronted by hundreds of social problems that effect every aspect of our individual and social existence. Concomitantly, there are thousands of progressive organizations that seek to find solutions for these problems. With this in mind, we have designed our page on the BlackOut Arts Collective (BAC) to be a source for initial exposure to the organization by giving an overview of the organization, highlightling their past successes and future plans, and allowing the organizations leaders an opportunity to discuss their goals in their own words. By organizing this wiki page based on answers to the five most common questions, we hope to make user navigation of the site simple and intuitive. We recognize that those five questions are neither discrete nor mutually exclusive. Feedback on the effectiveness of the site and suggestions for improvements are always welcome and should be added to the discussion page associated with this site.

Why the name BLACKOUT?

“A BLACKOUT happens when the system fails us, with the artificial light fed into our homes and classrooms, work and social spaces, is disconnected. When we discover the structure has left us powerless, we have to find means outside of that structure to find our way. We must reacquaint ourselves with the creativity passed through generations to make sense of the infinite space before us. We must empower ourselves.”

“In a BLACKOUT, we ask “How do you interpret the world?” Do you see it, visually? In a collage of colored strokes” Do you hear it, aurally? In a booming bass behind break beats? Do you feel it kinesthetically? In the slow push of palms upon air?”
“In a BLACKOUT, we ignite our creative energies to liberate ourselves.”

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