Proposal for summer workshop- Austin 2011

1. Do Schools Kill Creativity?

2. DJ-ing Not Just Pressing PLAY

3. Goal: Create A 3 Fold Program
• Increase Self-awareness
• Increase Community
• Foster Creative Endeavors

4. The Premise- Education should take us into a future
that we can not yet grasp.
Why? Because ALL education systems are results
oriented and predicated on the idea of academic
ability.
✦ Hierarchy of subjects: math at the top, arts at
the bottom-steered away from subjects you like
in school because it was taught you could never
get a job doing that.
Result- This model inevitably leads children away from
taking chances. People take fewer chances because
they are afraid of being wrong.
Consequence- Educating children out of their creative
capacities, thus, stigmatizing their mistakes.

5. Innovation
Revolutionize current industrial modalities
of education.
“Recognize that human flourishing is not a
mechanical process but an organic process and
you can not predict the outcome of human
development. All you can do, like a farmer, is
create the conditions under which they will
begin to flourish”.
Sir Ken Robinson, TED symposium, 2008

6. SIR KEN ROBINSON MEETS
SIR MIX-A-LOT
• Objective- Create a summer arts program that consists of
music production and DJ classes. These free classes, built
around a youth development framework, all integrate lessons
in creativity, project management, collaboration, and
community. The objective is to produce CDs that the youth
sell for profit as well as graduation ceremonies and public
performances.
• This project will give 13-15 year old boys and girls the
opportunity to assume leadership roles within the program,
assuring continuity and opportunities for creative
development.
• Instructors will be youth advocates, current educators and
professional DJs within the community.

7. The East Austin Community
• Predominately Hispanic
• Average Household Income- $23,552 (2004-Austin City Data)

8. The Space
Dub Academy- Located in East Austin

9. The Instructors

10. The Curriculum
Curriculum co-developed
by legendary
DJ/Producer
Jam Master Jay of
Run DMC fame.