Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead 

The purpose of the Summer Institute is to connect concert professionals and community-based artists together in a learning experience to better maximize the possibilities of the arts as a vehicle for social activism and civic engagement.  Previously held in Tallahasee in partnership with Florida State University (1997-1999), and now in Brooklyn, New York since 2004, the Institute draws a cross section of participants from across the country, the UK, Caribbean and Canada.  The culturally vibrant and racially diverse neighborhood of Fort Greene serves as the backdrop for this unique and challenging educational experience. 

The 2007 Institute, We Are The Ones We've Been Waiting For, was designed to illuminate various ways that artists can define and support their own course of creative activism and shape their own personal strategies for progressive social change.  The session drew 52 participants from 14 different states and the U.K.

The 2008 Summer Institute will afford an opportunity to deepen our understanding of community art-making for change by focusing on Collaboration, Leadership and Art-making.  It is our aim to create site specific performances that engage in public dialogues regarding this year's theme, Are We Democracy?  In addition to daily dance and conditioning classes, there will be workshops offered on Asset Mapping; Creating Public Dialogues; Principles of Effective Community Organizing; Generating Choreography, Text and Music; and Undoing Racism, presented by the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond, New Orleans. The daily schedule runs from 9 AM to 6:30 PM with culminating public performances on Saturday, August 2.  Key faculty members include Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Director; Vincent Thomas; Caron Atlas; and members of Urban Bush Women.

Tuition for the 10-day intensive is $750.00 with limited scholarship assistance available.  Housing is not provided, but low-cost options can be arranged for through the Urban Bush Women office.

Scholarships and Fund Raising

Because of the generosity of our funders, Urban Bush Women has always been able to offer scholarship assistance to participants. As part of the organization's strategic planning, we have made a commitment to present the 2009 Summer Institute in New Orleans and are therefore giving priority – though not exclusivity – to scholarship applicants from New Orleans to bridge the 2008 and 2009 sessions. However, as resources are always limited and personal creativity is not, we thought that we would invite one of our past participants, Cathy Draine, to create a fund raising guide for individuals that could be utilized for the Summer Institute and beyond. We are proud to share this resource with you and thank Cathy for her willingness to take on the responsibility of being the Summer Institute's first Development Fellow. We know this guide will help perpetuate the co-learning of the UBW Summer Institute - with or without a major funder - while ensuring the organization's ability to recruit a diverse group of participants.

 Click here to download fund raising guide.

The Summer Institute is supported with major funding from The Nathan Cummings Foundation and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.