AT A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY, LUCIE FOUNDATION AND MINOR MATTERS ARE LAUNCHING LUCIE WITNESS, A NEW YOUTH-FOCUSED PHOTOGRAPHY PROGRAM AND BOOK DESIGNED TO ELEVATE THE WORK OF YOUTH THROUGH REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TEACHING YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS.
GOALS
- To present a representative, equitable cross-section of our youth population demonstrating through them what a balance of viewpoints look like.
- To foster intergenerational conversations between youth visionaries of the future and current icons of the medium, building a shared understanding of the power of communicating through images.
- To highlight regional organizations teaching photography to our youth
Connect young people to the history and future of photography through a book and online gallery featuring their work and the words of masters of photography - Draw national attention to the work of youth photographers and the institutions supporting their visual knowledge
INTRODUCING LUCIE WITNESS’ SIX REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Las Fotos Project, Los Angeles
Literacy Through Photography/Fotofest, Houston
NYC Salt, New York
YoungArts, Miami
Youth in Focus, Seattle
Literacy Through Photography/Fotofest, Houston
NYC Salt, New York
YoungArts, Miami
Youth in Focus, Seattle
INTRODUCING OUR FIRST PROJECT:
We are so honored to announce that four Lucie Honorees’ are lending their words, and one of their images, to this inspirational publication to foster intergenerational dialogue with the photographers of the next generation.
These Master Photographers are:
Annie Leibovitz
Duane Michals
Graham Nash
Sylvia Plachy
Eli Reed
Pre-purchase Among Peers by August 31st and have your name listed in the book along with these photographers!
9.25 x 12 inches, vertical, hardcover
160 images, color and black and white
176 pages
$50 plus shipping
Featuring recent work by over 100 photographers ages 14–21 years old, from:
Las Fotos Project, Los Angeles
Literacy Through Photography/Fotofest, Houston
NYC Salt, New York
YoungArts, Miami
Youth in Focus, Seattle
Literacy Through Photography/Fotofest, Houston
NYC Salt, New York
YoungArts, Miami
Youth in Focus, Seattle
Among Peers
The United States of Young Photographers
Lucie Foundation and publisher Minor Matters have partnered to form Lucie Witness, a new youth-focused photography program designed to elevate the work of youth, while fostering intergenerational conversations in photography with the visions and voices of Lucie Honorees.
Its first project is Among Peers The United States of Young Photographers. Six organizations, including some of the longest-running youth photography programs in the United States—First Exposures, San Francisco, Las Fotos Project, Los Angeles, Literacy Through Photography/FotoFest, Houston, NYC Salt, New York, YoungArts, Miami, and Youth in Focus, Seattle—have collaborated with Lucie Witness by submitting photographs made by their constituents during the challenging conditions of the last two years.
From poignant portraits to thoughtful abstractions, this timely book brings together recent work from over 100 photographers—ages 14-21—and holds our emerging state of being through the eyes of our future.
By engaging with regional organizations that support emerging photographers at a pivotal time of reckoning in the United States, Lucie Witness is fostering much needed equitable representation of our youth population, demonstrating to them and through them what a balance of viewpoints can look like.
The Lucie Witness website will feature online information about the six youth organizations featured in the inaugural publication, Adobe resource page, and a gallery of images included in the book. Lucie Witness is proud to highlight the efforts of these organizations, and the young people they serve.
The images included in Among Peers: The United States of Young Photographers have been selected by publisher Michelle Dunn Marsh and is now available for pre-sales through Minor Matters, with a DEADLINE EXTENDED TO AUGUST 31st to achieve the goal of 400 copies sold. All those who purchase before August 31st are named as co-publishers of this book. With the successful publication, each participating photographer will receive at least two copies of the book; all net proceeds will be split equally among the organizations, with a priority to provide a cash honorarium to each photographer, and any balance to be used to the institution’s greatest needs.
Lucie Witness will be the catalyst to showcase the vision, hopes and dreams of youth photographers across America by bringing together many regional organizations and highlighting their constituents’ stories nationally.
In addition, Lucie Witness will facilitate an intergenerational dialogue between young image makers and icons of the medium—the Lucie masters of photography. A book produced by Minor Matters will be an enduring platform for the vision, truths and voices of today’s youth, and the power of photography.
ABOUT LUCIE FOUNDATION
Lucie Foundation’s mission is to honor master photographers, recognize current photographers, discover and cultivate emerging talent, and promote the appreciation of photography worldwide. The foundation presents year-round programming to support emerging photographers through the Lucie Scholarship Program and master photographers through The Lucie Awards. Other programs include The Lucie Technical Awards (LTA), exhibitions, talks and workshops, The Lucie Photo Book Prize, and The Story Behind the Image photographer talks and presentations.
The Lucie Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable foundation.
ABOUT MINOR MATTERS
Founded in 2013, Minor Matters is a collaborative publishing platform, making books through the engagement of our international audience. We highlight underrepresented voices in contemporary art, and preserve our present for the future through publishing their work. At Minor Matters, we recognize that significant art and ideas may stay on the fringes without the support of a community. Like us. With you. Everyone who buys our books in pre-sales is listed as a co-publisher—we’re making books together.
MEET THE LUCIE WITNESS’ SIX REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
FIRST EXPOSURES IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHY AND MENTORING PROGRAM IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
First Exposures provides youth aged 11-18 the opportunity to engage with photography in a classroom with guidance from a photographer who serves as both a mentor and a positive adult role model. Many of our students have experienced difficult life circumstances and are in the process of stabilizing their lives. Photography is the catalyst by which our students acquire vital life skills and the vehicle through which we deepen their intellectual, academic, and developmental experiences. While learning to photograph, students are also enhancing their self-confidence, developing their personal vision, and cultivating their passion for learning. Since 2004, over 95% of our students have gone on to pursue a college education. We reinforce our class time with time spent in experiential learning environments: major museums, alternative art spaces, commercial photography studios, etc. The students use their cameras to explore and interpret these places and their lives.
First Exposures classes are located conveniently near BART and many bus lines.
ABOUT US
Las Fotos Project is a community-based nonprofit organization that inspires teenage girls through photography, mentorship, and self-expression. Offering year-round programming, we provide girls with access to professional cameras, quality instruction and workshops that encourage them to explore their identity, build leadership and advocacy skills, and strengthen their social and emotional well-being.
OUR MISSION
Las Fotos Project’s mission is to elevate the voices of teenage girls from communities of color through photography and mentoring, empowering them to channel their creativity for the benefit of themselves, their community, and future careers.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Literacy Through Photography is a full-scale photography, writing, and literacy program that offers students an avenue for greater self-expression and exploration.
The foundation curriculum blends stream-of-consciousness creative writing prompts, social-emotional learning, visual literacy exercises, and photography-based art projects as a means to stretch student imagination, broaden perspective, build creative skills, and further develop their voice. Throughout the program, students explore four core themes —SELF, HOME, COMMUNITY, and DREAMS. These themes build upon each other, and provide a platform for photographic and written introspection.
Teachers are trained to incorporate visual imagery and writing into core classroom instruction. Each lesson is linked directly to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) objectives for English Language Arts and meets the standards set forth as part of the national curriculum mandates of Every Child Succeeds and the National Council of Teachers of English Standards for the English Language Arts. The curriculum can easily be adapted to accommodate different age groups, class sizes, and teaching schedules.
Each year, the Literacy Through Photography curriculum is successfully implemented to roughly one thousand grade school students and adults across Teaching Artist residencies at Houston area Title I schools and community organizations. The program trains educators in this established curriculum, equipping them with new tools to bring creativity, self-expression, and visual literacy into the classroom.
MISSION
NYC Salt’s mission is to engage, inspire, and empower underserved youth in New York City to reach their full potential through photography, video and an understanding of the visual industry.
NYC SALT creates opportunities in visual arts and pathways to college and career for underserved New York City youth from diverse backgrounds who are dedicated to careers in the arts, by engaging them in a rigorous blend of professional photography instruction, college-preparatory workshops, and career exposure. Our goal is to help student artists build advanced visual arts skills and the determination, confidence, and grit they need to succeed in college and future careers.
YOUNGARTS supports artists.
Every year thousands of performing, visual and literary artists age 15-18 apply to YoungArts through our national competition. All award winners receive a lifetime of support, including access to funding, mentorship, professional development and creative opportunities.
OUR MISSION
YoungArts identifies the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary and performing arts, and provides them with creative and professional development opportunities and support throughout their careers.
YOUTH IN FOCUS
provides after-school, summer, and partner programs of Digital and Darkroom photography for teens aged 13-19 furthest from educational justice. Our program focuses on Social and Emotional Learning, 21st century skill development, and courage and risk taking through art. We offer pay-what-you can tuition and free bus passes to make our program accessible to all. Due to COVID-19, we have shifted much of our programming to an online platform to continue providing teens with a safe and supportive community in which they can learn, grow, and create.
THE MISSION OF YOUTH IN FOCUS
Amplifying teen voice through photography and arts education.
PURPOSE STATEMENT
Preparing the next generation of creative thinkers to meet the emerging needs of a global society.
