Roshni

ROSHNIS MISSION STATEMENT: EVERY CITIZEN DESERVES ACCESS TO ART AND ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES. EVERY CHILD HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME AN ARTIST, GIVEN THE RIGHT SUPPORT AND ACCESS. EVERY ADULT CAN REACH THEIR HIGHER POTENTIAL GIVEN THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT. ROSHNI SET OUT TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN THE COLORADAN PERFORMING ART SCENE. OUR PROGRAMS USE ART TO BRING TOGETHER PEOPLE FROM DIVERSE CULTURES, ABILITIES, AND PROFESSIONS. WE USE ART TO SHARE STORIES WITH UNDER-REPRESENTED GROUPS BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY HELP THEM TELL THEIR OWN STORIES BY IDENTIFYING, RECRUITING, AND MENTORING THEM. COMMUNITY-BUILDING: PROGRAMS BRIDGE DIVIDES BY ENCOURAGING CROSS-CULTURAL FRIENDSHIPS, FINDING COMMON GROUND WHILE CELEBRATING DIFFERENCES, AND GIVING PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND SHARE, WHILE FINDING THE COURAGE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES PERSONALLY.

NEW AMERICAN STORIES THIS IS OUR PRIMARY AFTER-SCHOOL YOUTH PROGRAM THAT STARTED IN 2018. THIS PROGRAM GIVES YOUTH THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE THEIR OWN ORIGINAL SHORT PLAY AND IS OFFERED THROUGH 24-WEEK SESSIONS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. THE FINAL PRODUCTION IS HELD IN MAY TO SHOWCASE THE WORK OF ALL STUDENTS. THE SESSIONS ALLOW FOR LONG-TERM ENGAGEMENT AND A DEEPER IMPACT RATHER THAN A ONE-OFF EXPERIENCE. THE BENEFIT TO YOUTH IS LEARNING NEW SKILLS, BEING CREATIVE, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH STAFF AND PEERS, PROMOTE OVER-ALL WELL-BEING WHILE SPENDING OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME IN A SAFE AND PRODUCTIVE WAY. THE PROGRAM SERVES 60 YOUTHS PER YEAR.

THE NEW AMERICAN ARTS FESTIVAL IS OUR ONGOING INITIATIVE TO PRESENT NEW AND DIVERSE VOICES. THROUGH COMMISSIONED ORIGINAL ARTWORKS AND COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WE INTEND TO BRING ABOUT A DEEPER AWARENESS AND ASSERTION OF THE CULTURAL IDENTITIES OF THOSE HISTORICALLY UNDER-REPRESENTED BIPOC COMMUNITIES. THE NAAF STARTED VIRTUALLY, AS A PILOT EDITION IN 2020 DURING THE PANDEMIC. SINCE THEN, WEVE HAD TREMENDOUS SUCCESS ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY AND BRINGING TOGETHER A BROAD RANGE OF CULTURAL GROUPS. IT IS A BRILLIANT TESTIMONY THAT SHOWS WHEN GIVEN THE RIGHT SUPPORT, BIPOC COMMUNITIES WILL FIND THEIR VOICES AND TELL THEIR STORIES THROUGH NEW AND DIVERSE ARTWORKS.

WOMEN-ORIENTED PROGRAM I ARISE (I AM. RESILIENT, INFORMED, STEADFAST, EMPATHETIC): A 24-WEEKS PROGRAM TO CONNECT 8-12 WOMEN OF DIVERSE ETHNICITIES AND PROFESSIONS. THROUGH SHARING REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCES, THEY CREATE A SHORT PLAY THAT IS PRESENTED DURING THE NEW AMERICAN ARTS FESTIVAL AND LATER PRESENTED TO OTHER WOMEN'S GROUPS. SEW AND SING, IS AN EXPANSION OF THE PROGRAM LULLABIES THAT BRING TOGETHER STAY-HOME REFUGEE/IMMIGRANT WOMEN AS WELL AS AMERICAN WOMEN IN THE SPIRIT OF LEARNING AND SHARING. THE PROGRAM SERVES 12-20 WOMEN AND STRIVES TO OFFER PROCESS-BASED ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES TO A) INCREASE CONNECTION AMONG PARTICIPANTS, B) PROMOTE WELL-BEING WITH A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND POSITIVE SELF-WORTH CULTIVATION C) LEARN AN IMPORTANT SKILL, D) IMPROVE SPOKEN ENGLISH,