Services to the Field

All Ages Movement Project (AMP) is a network of 200 community-based organizations across the U.S. that connect young people through independent music and art. AMP is committed to making sure young people can access and participate in music scenes in their communities. AMP’s web site includes The AMP directory that links to more than 200 all-ages punk, hip-hop and indie venues as well as youth-run recording studios and art galleries, searchable by city, genre, and other terms. For the report by AMP co-founder Shannon Stewart, “The All-Ages Music Movement: How It Impacts Culture, Civic Engagement, and Leadership,” click here.

AMP believes that music communities have within them the potential to create change. Unlike other communities, music communities are exceptional at reaching young people, because they are essentially created by young people. AMP organizations work hand-in-hand with these music communities, opening doors for young people to get involved and build skills for the future. We use culture (music and art) as a vehicle for community change and use community organizing as a vehicle for cultural change.

Also on AMP’s web site is a Resource Wiki that helps all-ages music organizations collaborate, pool resources, and share what's working. In addition, AMP published in 2010 In Every Town: An All-Ages Music Manualfesto, a book that is part history and part how-to, based on years of collaborative research and nine case studies of organizations in different parts of the country. In Every Town (available on AMP's web site) addresses the immediate and chronic issues that impact young people’s ability to come together in healthy and engaging cultural space and encourages them to take bold steps forward in art and activism.

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the principles of the Religious Society of Friends, the belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. American Friends Service Committee, through its various branches, helps immigrants become more active in democracy. In the Central Valley in California, AFSC created a mini-grant program to which people could apply for different ways to support immigrants; more than 50 percent of the grants were for cultural programs.

Architecture for Humanity seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crises and brings design services to communities in need. It brings together individuals and firms involved in all facets of building design to provide design services to community groups, non-governmental organizations, funding agents, social entrepreneurs and other non-profit organizations. By tapping a network of more than 40,000 professionals willing to lend time and expertise to help those who would not otherwise be able to afford their services, we bring design, construction and development services where they are most critically needed. Through thoughtful, inclusive design, Architecture for Humanity aims to create lasting change in communities by: alleviating poverty and providing access to water, sanitation, power and essential services; bringing safe shelter to communities prone to disaster and displacement; rebuilding community and creating neutral spaces for dialogue in post-conflict areas; reducing the footprint of the built environment and addressing climate change; among other goals.

The Open Architecture Network is an online, open source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design. It features thousands of design project images organized by building types, competitions, themes, and countries. Organizations seeking design services can post their requests on the Architecture for Humanity web site. The goal of the network is to allow designers to work together in a whole new way, a way that enables 5 billion potential clients to access their skills and expertise. Architecture for Humanity offers a Design Fellowship that matches fellows to local or international projects for six months to one year.

Art for Change (AfC) is a 501(c)3 organization that encourages the advancement of progressive social change by using art as a catalyst for disseminating information to people. AfC provides space to discuss and explore that information, stimulating individual and collective reflection, which leads to action and change. Art is is AfC's tool and their common ground – by building a bridge between communities and artists AfC can help to articulate experiences, struggles and aspirations, inspiring people to consider, with a questioning eye, their ways of life, their environment, their roles, how various systems work, and ways to improve their lives and environment. By providing equal access to information and involvement, AfC encourages active participation while building community. By focusing on artistic expression, AfC plays a key role in maintaining cultural traditions, respect and appreciation for the diversity of cultures in New York City. AfC is an asset to their community; providing space for other organizations, artists and activists to congregate, rehearse, network and interact with the community of East Harlem.