Created during mandated lockdowns, heightening racial tensions, and a worsening climate crisis, But I Can Create the Future is about urgency. Culminating Media Art for Newcomer Youth (MANY) for 2020, the show presents the work of nine youth from Yemen, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the Bahamas, and the United Arab Emirates. As told from the perspectives of the newcomer youth, this exhibit communicates a call to action for a better tomorrow.
In its third year, MANY is a summer media art creation program of the Arab Community Centre of Toronto and Charles Street Video that ran from August to December 2020. It resides barriers to media art creation, supports youth with tailored workshops and one-on-one mentorship by culturally affiliated artists, and works towards promoting the capabilities that youth value.
Youth
Ahmad Lawal
Aseel Alzamel
Huda Abdi
Joelle Awad
Minoo Behradfar
Nikki Hall
Sarah Hamad
Saud Bahilah
Yusuf Gokce
Artist Mentors
Daniel Ousta Jabbour
Ebti Nabag
MANY is supported through Toronto Arts Council Strategic Funding.