Newswise — Art as Social Action students at Spelman College have come up with an innovative way to promote financial literacy. In support of National Financial Literacy month in April, the class has developed an interactive board game, "Money Matters," to give teens real-world experience managing finances. Created for Youth Art Connection, an art program offered through the Boys & Girls Clubs of metro-Atlanta, the game was designed in partnership with the local art group African Americans for the Arts. It will be unveiled at a special YAC ceremony, free and open to the public, on April 29, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
"Given the current state of the economy, AASA students wanted to develop a piece of art that would help teens avoid some of the financial mishaps they are witnessing everyday on the news," said Barbara Nesin, associate professor of art at Spelman College. "The game has been designed to provide teens in the YAC program real-life scenarios to help them make healthy financial decisions."
Playing "Money Matters" gives participants the opportunity to make choices that help them distinguish between needs and wants. Each player is randomly assigned an art-focused career to aspire to and given a designated sum of money. Play begins with a roll of the dice followed by a multiple-choice question related to their career path and finances. Making a responsible decision helps them gain more money and advance towards the end of the game. To reinforce the concept of responsible decision-making, the element of "chance" has been incorporated. Those landing on this space can perform community service or pay a bill to get ahead in the game.
"One of the primary ways we connect with the participants in our program is by finding innovative techniques to educate them on complex issues such as finances," said Keisha Paige-Drammeh, program director, Youth Art Connection. "The 'Money Matters' game will enable them to practice concrete principles of financial literacy in a creative and artistic way." Constructed with Plexiglas, paint, cardboard and poster board, the game represents life in an urban city. The backdrop of the board features a mural depicting urban landmarks including, restaurants, shopping centers, a metro-rail system, a school and banks. To reinforce the concept of recycling, materials such as old records, vintage clothing and furniture have been incorporated.
"Money Matters" is the first project the Art as Social Action class has created with YAC. Projects from previous semesters include: "A Door is Always Open," an interactive art installation, housed at the Metro Atlanta YWCA, promoting tolerance and perseverance; "PowerPlay," an interactive installation promoting self-esteem and self-empowerment; and "Beyond," a mural created to empower students to think beyond their present circumstances, both located at The Study Hall; and "The Cost of War," an outdoor installation at The Arts Exchange featuring images of the effects of war on soldiers, their families and the nation.
Art as Social Action, taught by professor Barbara Nesin, is one of the courses offered through the Spelman College art department. The mission of the course is to affect positive social change through visual art. Students who take the course are charged with conceptualizing and constructing pieces that address the needs of the community and highlight the power of art in society. Each semester, the class chooses a social issue to address in partnership with a community organization. The students in the class this semester include: Jennifer Coles, C'2009; Lawrence Julius Hanks II, C'2009; Marlee Ickowicz; C'2010; Nicole Lockett-Devoe, C'2010; Tanisha Latese, C'2009; and Niya Savage C'2009.
Additional community partners include Alternate R.O.O.T.S., a regional arts service organization that provides financial and educational resources to artists, organizers and cultural workers.
Youth Art ConnectionThe mission of the Youth Art Connection program is to use arts and cultural enrichment as ways to connect with underserved Atlanta youth who have developmental needs in basic skills, critical thinking, and value awareness; to ignite their creative potential and reinforce the organization's efforts in building self-realization and pride with productive activities that build productive lives; and enables youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing.
Spelman CollegeFounded in 1881, Spelman College is a prestigious, highly selective, liberal arts college that prepares women to change the world. Located in Atlanta, Ga., this historically black college boasts a 79 percent graduation rate, and outstanding alumnae such as Children's Defense Fund Founder Marian Wright Edelman; former U.S. Foreign Service Director General Ruth Davis, authors Tina McElroy Ansa and Pearl Cleage; and actress LaTanya Richardson. More than 83 percent of the full-time faculty members have Ph.D.s or other terminal degrees, and the average faculty to student ratio is 12:1. More than 2,100 students attend Spelman. For more information, visit www.spelman.edu.
African American for the Arts A-AFTA was founded in 1998 with the mission of being a united, proactive voice for cultural matters affecting the African American and Diasporic African Community. Artists participating in this semester's project with Spelman at Youth Art Connection include: Linc Bennett, Geoff Johnson (President), and Trevor Johnson.
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