2025 Schedule Deep Dive: Shaping Young Identities through Creativity
What we consume from an early age is pivotal to our developing identities. From the shows we watch to the books we read, and now, our daily screen time — this new age of consumption provides us with everything we need (and more) to learn about things we never had access to.
Early identity development is deeply connected to the empowerment we strive for through arts education. Encouraging new generations to embrace creative expression allows young people to explore, express, and affirm their sense of self while developing new ways of thought. Headlines like The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, and “Can We Get Kids Off Smartphones?” make it clear that times are changing, so the way we move forward with our resources, and oceans of access at hand, are subject to change too.
The William Penn Foundation quotes former President Barack Obama, saying “In addition to giving our children the science and math skills they need to compete in the new global context, we should also encourage the ability to think creatively that comes from a meaningful arts education.” The article continues to expand on what creative expression brings and fosters, like imagination, problem-solving, and bolstering social-emotional skills.
As critical and creative thinking are essential, so are the innovative learning approaches that can change learning trajectories through new fresh approaches. And equally, It is incredibly important to provide these resources for those who may not have full access to creative expression within their education. Discover SXSW EDU 2025 sessions that foster these conversations, and showcase how this form of empowerment can become tangible for the people who need it most—our generations to come.
The performance, Building The Next Generation of Black Ballerinas, poses the question: How do we instill a love for the arts in children who aren't afforded the opportunity? Takiyah Wallace-McMillian, founder of Brown Girls Do Ballet, will speak with Amber Cabral, founder of Cabral Co., a consulting firm focused on encouraging inclusive dynamic shifts within the workplace, will talk about how we can collectively rethink our advocacy for the arts, and why it’s an issue worth discussing while bringing in the voices of young girls whose lives have been introduced to ballet — a predominantly white sport that is inaccessible for most socioeconomic backgrounds.
Past studies by psychologist Ryan M. Niemiec highlight how therapists use movies to inspire character strengths and develop what is best in ourselves such as creativity, curiosity, kindness, and hope perceived through film. These are all catalysts for us to want to cultivate them. To explore how film can be a powerful tool in education, attend the panel The Power of Film in Classrooms & Teacher Training. Panelists from ROCO Films, Common Sense Media, Journeys in Film, and Sierra College will discuss the benefits of incorporating film into education, focusing on how it promotes critical thinking and boosts student engagement.
The session Artivism: The Power of Art to Inspire & Change the World explores how art can drive activism, featuring Nikkolas Smith, an artist whose journey intertwines both. As an illustrator for Marvel’s Black Panther and the creator of his own picture book, The Artivist, Smith has used his art to advocate for social change and believes that young people should feel encouraged and empowered to do the same.
These are just a few sessions that explore how arts education serves as a form of empowerment for future generations. For more sessions on how arts education is a vital tool worth exploring, browse the full schedule and start building your list of favorites. Stay tuned for additional sessions to be announced as we approach March!
See You at SXSW EDU 2025
Registration is open for SXSW EDU 2025! Take advantage early to save on your registration and unlock exclusive hotel rates March 3-6, 2025 in downtown Austin. Sign up for SXSW EDU email updates, check out the News feed, watch videos, and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok to get the most up-to-date information.
Photo by Tico Mendoza
12/18/2024
