THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ME

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

This interdisciplinary art program is inspired by Oscar Wilde (The Importance of Being Earnest), who was imprisoned in 1895 for “a love that dare not speak its name,” and aims to reexamine Wilde’s historical significance by employing his legacy of authentic self-expression and social critique through art to empower LGBTQ+ youth.

The program invites high school and college age (14-23) LGBTQ+ youth in South Florida and nationwide to create and submit visual art, short films and dramatic writing (monologue, scene, short play, spoken word, poem), and original music on the program’s title theme of queer authenticity and affirmation.

This program will launch on June 25, 2024 and culminate on August 2, 2024.

Youth artists will participate in a free creative workshop series conducted in June/July 2024 by professional artists and LGBTQ+ youth ambassadors.

No prior artistic experience is required.

The SHOWCASE of LGBTQ+ youth visual, film and dramatic art will be presented live on Friday, August 2nd at Art Serve in Fort Lauderdale,FL, and streamed at a date TBD.

Visual art format may include photography, digital art, painting, fashion, sketch, sculpture, etc.

Visual art submissions will be exhibited for viewing at Art Serve on Friday, August 2nd as well as being showcased via the online streaming.

Participants under the age of 18 will need parental/guardian permission to participate.
This program is sponsored by Floatarama, Broward County Sheriff’s Office and the OurFund Foundation, an LGBTQ+ Foundation and is in community partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County, Blinc, Gay Men's Chorus South Florida, The Pride Center at Equality Park, Safe Schools South Florida, Skirt SoFlo, Stonewall National Museum and Archives, Tello Films, Transsocial, Transinclusive Group, & Women With Pride.

KEY DATES
Information Session via Zoom
Saturday June 1st 12pm-1pm EST

Workshops via Zoom
Tuesday June 25th 3pm-5pm EST
Thursday June 27 3pm-5pm EST
Tuesday July 2nd 3pm-5pm EST
Tuesday July 9th 3pm-5pm EST
Thursday July 11th 3pm-5pm EST

One-on-one Mentoring with LGBTQ+ Artists
July 12th - July 19th

Rehearsals In-Person & Zoom
Saturday July 20th 1pm-5pm
Tuesday July 23rd 3pm-6pm
Tuesday July 30th 3pm-6pm or 6pm-9pm
Wednesday July 31st 4pm-9pm
Thursday August 1st 4pm-9pm

Performance & Exhibit In-Person (Streamed at a later date for out of state participants
Friday August 2nd 6pm-9pm EST at ArtServe, Fort Lauderdale, FL

* These workshops are optional. They are designed to give artists the option to meet fellow youth artists across the country, receive feedback from Thinking Cap Theatre artists and check in on how your writing of visual art piece is going.