Material Institute

ORGANIZATION WAS FORMED TO SUPPORT FREE, CREATIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE 9TH WARD OF NEW ORLEANS. THE PROGRAMS RUN FROM A CENTRAL CAMPUS ON PORT STREET. IT EMPLOYS TEACHERS (WHEREVER POSSIBLE, FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY) TO LEAD WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING SESSIONS IN A VARIETY OF FIELDS, INCLUDING GARDENING, COOKING, MUSIC RECORDING AND PRODUCTION, DIGITAL ARTS, DESIGN, FASHION AND THE CREATIVE ARTS.

THE 24 CARROT GARDEN: A COMMUNITY KITCHEN GARDEN IN ST. ROCH. THE PROGRAM INCORPORATES COOKING AND GARDENING CLASSES STAFFED BY A FULL-TIME MANAGER, AND A PART-TIME TEACHER AND GARDENER, WITH A TARGET AGE OF YOUTH UNDER 18 YEARS OLD. THE PROGRAM RUNS THREE TO FOUR DAYS A WEEK FOR 3 HOURS PER SESSION. REGULAR COMMUNITY EVENTS TAKE PLACE IN THE GARDEN FEATURING LIVE MUSIC, ART WORKSHOPS AND FEASTS (WITH PRODUCE COOKED FROM THE GARDEN). YOUTH PARTICIPANTS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO CULTIVATE THEIR ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS, SELLING PRODUCE TO LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND CAFES.

THE EMBASSY: A FREE MUSIC RECORDING STUDIO OPERATING 6 DAYS A WEEK FROM THE ORGANIZATION'S HEADQUARTERS AT 2120 PORT STREET. THE PROGRAM EMPLOYS A FULL-TIME MANAGER, AND THREE PART-TIME PRODUCERS. THERE ARE TWO ANNUAL INTAKES OF 12 PARTICIPANTS WHO WORK WITH THEIR CHOSEN PRODUCER TO WRITE, RECORD AND PRODUCE SEVERAL ORIGINAL TRACKS WHICH ARE SHOWCASED IN A BI- ANNUAL PUBLIC PERFORMANCE HELD AT PORT ON 2120 PORT STREET.

THE MATERIAL INSTITUTE: A FREE FASHION SCHOOL FOCUSED ON ALL ELEMENTS OF FASHION DESIGN AND PRODUCTION. THE PROGRAM RUNS 6 DAYS A WEEK AND FEATURES HANDS ON TRAINING AND CLASSES IN PATTERN MAKING, SEWING, NATURAL FABRIC DYING, BEADING, PRINTING, WEAVING AND DIGITAL DESIGN. THERE ARE TWO 10 WEEKLONG INTAKES (FALL AND SPRING) WITH SHORTER 4 WEEK PROGRAMS OFFERED OVER SUMMER AND WINTER.