Organized by Performing Statistics, #NoKidsInPrison Chicago featured collaborations with The Final 5 campaign and Circles and Ciphers. The exhibition immersed viewers into interactive installations about the history of youth incarceration, the state of youth incarceration today and what is needed to build a world where all youth are free. Youth voices from local incarcerated young people were included through an audio collaboration between Final Five and youth inside. SkyArts contributed paintings created by local incarcerated youth. Circles and Ciphers created a music video to drop their new song, “No Kids In Prison” a ballad that illustrates a prison free Chicago that centers youth leadership.
Programming
Healthy Hood led by Tanya Lozano and Allen Washington led the programming schedule in Chicago. NoKidsInPrison Chicago featured ongoing abolitionist swag making with local screen printers combined with powerful panels and inspirational performances curated by Healthy Hood in collaboration with The Final Five Campaign and Circles and Ciphers. Highlights from Chicago programming included:
The War on Children Panel, a conversation about the intersections between militarization and the experiences of youth in Gaza and the systemic criminalization of young people in the US.
Circles and Ciphers performances and music video drop!
The gr8 Cypher, led by TheGr8Thinkaz, a completely youth centered cipher designer to affirm the brilliance of young poets, rappers & Mcs.
Youth in Power, youth summit led by The Final 5 campaign, an event designed to welcome youth organizers to the movement to close youth prisons.
Onna Way Back resource guide drop by Final 5! This interactive workshop led by formerly incarcerated youth was a book release for their re-entry toolkit, a multi year project designing a guide with everything a young person needs when they return home.
Meditation for the Abolitionist led by Tanya Lozana, ended the exhibition with the regrounding we all needed. This beautiful guided meditation held a room full of organizers and candles in love, abundance and affirmational power.
Ongoing cumulative programming by Crime Drought including conversation between Public Defenders and intergenerational community members facilitated by Mashaun Ali Hendricks using the World Cafe Method.
Impact; why strategic storytelling matters
66%
of viewers said that, after viewing the exhibit, they were committed to ending youth incarceration
70%
of viewers have a loved one who is/was incarcerated
55%
of viewers said hearing from youth was what impacted them the most
85%
of attendees were 18 - 35 years old
Credits
Youth Art
- Final 5audio interviews and letters from inside, collaboration with youth at local lock-up facility
- Site CoordinatorAnnMarie Brown, Alicia Brown, Sheriff Polk
- Youth DocentsCJ Paris (aka CJ) William Adebayo Sky Ford Hernan Destiny Malika
- Local ArtistsQyjon the Icon, Emma McKee aka The Stitch Gawd
SkyART‘s Just-Us Program
- Project Impact Clinical InternsLauren Appelson, Zoe Friedland, Esther Han, Rachel Kaufman, Shea Love, Dalila Perez
- Project Impact therapistAshley Williams
Programming Coordination & Curation
- Healthy HoodTanya Lozano, Allen Washington, Joline Lozano
- The Final Five CampaignAlicia Brown, Nicole Negrete, Ja’Vaune Jackson, Destiny Bell, Malika Anthony, Sherrif Polk
Programming
- FeaturesCircles and Ciphers The Gr8Thinkaz The Chicago Coalition for Intercommunalism Chicago Liberation Center Party for Socialism and Liberation Palestinian Assembly for Liberation Bella Bahhs Laila Zayed Nino Brown Omar Younes Lilla Sol
- Youth PerformersKofie Kportufe (aka Kofie Diamonds) Ronald Pierce (aka Cmthr23) CJ Paris (aka CJ) Carris Jones-James (aka CJ) Juan Cannon Michael Adebayo (aka Marko Stat$) Precious Atwood (aka Pressure) Kuumbalynx
- Local ArtistsQyjon the Icon Emma McKee aka The Stitch Gawd
- Local Org PartnersTrap House Chicago, Crime Drought Viet Coffee Zealous
- Site SupportChristian Ortiz, David Weinberg
- ScreenprintingHoofprint Scout Cartenga Chema
