- Description:
This fundraising initiative seeks to provide Polaroid cameras, a printer, and film to middle school art students participating in a unique project focused on self-expression and identity exploration. The project will integrate the use of Polaroid photography to encourage students to explore and express their personal identities visually.
In particular, the students will photograph objects, environments, and abstract concepts that represent aspects of themselves and their identities, contributing to a larger art unit focused on self-reflection and dealing with the inner critic. The tangible and immediate nature of Polaroid photography will allow for spontaneous creativity, freeing students from overthinking their work and teaching them to embrace imperfections. The final products will be used in a gallery exhibition as part of a larger “identity exploration” project that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and self-acceptance. - Need Represented: Need Represented: Middle school is a critical time for self-discovery, and creative outlets provide students with essential tools for self-expression. However, traditional mediums like drawing and painting often trigger a harsh inner critic, making students overly self-conscious and preventing them from taking creative risks. Polaroid cameras offer students a way to bypass some of those internal barriers through the immediacy and impermanence of the medium. These materials would also allow students from underfunded schools, who may not have access to high-quality creative tools, the opportunity to explore photography.
- Academic Impact: This project aligns with interdisciplinary goals in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP), blending visual arts with personal and social education. The planned activities promote critical and creative thinking, which are key competencies in IB education. Furthermore, the project will foster a sense of agency and identity, crucial for middle schoolers as they navigate this formative stage of development.
By exploring identity through photography, students will not only develop artistic skills but also learn to appreciate different perspectives, collaborate with peers, and build confidence in their ability to express themselves authentically. The project will culminate in a gallery exhibition, where students will showcase their work, reflect on their creative journey, and engage with feedback from peers, teachers, and family members, reinforcing their learning outcomes and boosting their sense of accomplishment. - Student Population: Our students are from diverse backgrounds. There are over 40% of our students with IEP's and 504's. We also have a high percentage of free and reduced lunch at our school
