First Friday Art Parties with NLArts
First Friday fun for young creatives.
NLArts invites Philadelphia’s youth to join our First Friday Art Parties, an evening of creative leisure and community building in a safe and inspiring environment. this program has been designed to enhance the vitality of the youth in our community by providing a safe and creative party each month.
“What excited and inspired me as a young, creative person? What helped me grow as a community minded artist, and what was missing?”
When I was in middle school there was a monthly event called ‘Rampage”. On Friday nights, the basement of an old warehouse building was transformed into a night club for young teens. It was in the next town over, but all the middle schoolers in the county were invited. There was a live DJ, snacks for sale, a pool table, and arcade games in a dimly lit, large open space.
It was like a school dance every month but better. There was an opportunity to meet new people and to be more of yourself since you weren’t in your schools’ gymnasium. I would dance all night (back when ‘Hot in Herre’ was first released on the radio)! I made life long friends, burned lots of calories grooving, and gained independency. Most importantly, and though unaware at the time - I was building the foundation of my identity and future career trajectory.
Rampage was encouraged by the school district, it was very low cost, and socially impactful. If the pool table was replaced with an art table - it would have been my dream come true. I hope to make that true a reality for the young people of Philadelphia!
The NLArts First Friday Art Parties are currently being piloted for kids aged 9-12 years old. The long term goals are to hold the parties in an accessible space outfitted for live music and 100+ participants, expand the targeted age range to teens, host showcases, and partner with agencies to promote youth services.