After a two-week intensive training camp and local site preparation, Amos’s fellowship was initiated at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Youngstown is a multi arts facility in the Delridge neighborhood of Seattle serving youth in high-need educational and community settings. In October 2009, alongside Youngstown program coordinator Kevin Mock, Amos and a group of eight nominated youth helped solidify the vision of Youngstown Records. Youngstown Records is a youth-driven record label and music cooperative committed to building community by empowering and amplifying the voices of the youth of Seattle. Youth develop their musical talents and leadership skills in a year-long program of artist-led workshops, studio recording, performances and training in new media.

In under a year these youth have engaged in numerous community based performances and projects including a collaboration initiated by Frye Art Museum titled I Wish I Knew Who I Was Before I Was Me. Over the course of several months, with Youngstown Records Teachers and Arts Corps Teaching Artist Roberto Ascalon, students took part in the behind-the-scenes operations of the Frye and created personal responses to the artworks in Frye collection through music, the spoken and the written word. The exhibit opened on Jan 22nd, 2010 with an engaging and emotional response from the community in attendance.

This is only the beginning for these courageous young people. Representing the diverse human geography of Seattle communities and public, private, and alternative Seattle schools, these students and their proud advocates are honored and committed to using the power of music and art in realizing the beloved community by reaching one listener at a time.

Supported by:

This prestigious opportunity has been funded by the Frye Foundation, Carlo and Eulalie Scandiuzzi, individual donors, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, the Grousemont Foundation, and with support from Arts Corps and Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.