Beginning my Master’s Degree in Social Practice Art

So I’ve finally made good on one of my big dreams for myself and I have entered a master’s program at The University of Indianapolis Social Practice Art Program.

For years I’ve been asking the question:

“How can I use my art to create change in the world?”

I think I’ve been asking this question for around two decades now. In college I realized that I would never be happy making art for art’s sake or for applause or even for a paycheck. I can’t tell you why I feel this way but I can share that I’ve grown up my whole life around people who have cared for their communities.

My mother is a preacher and missionary in Jamaica. Her mother was a pastor’s wife for 60 years and politician. My grandfather was a war veteran and pastor for 60 years. My father’s ancestors were Brahman Priests and served their communities spiritually. My Indian grandfather was a teacher and a Freedom Fighter.

It’s in my blood!

I know I was put on this earth to make it better in some way. The WAY in which I wanted to make it better was the challenge for me to figure out. Growing up I had an equal passion for health and wellness and as well as telling stories. Did I mention that I come from martial artists and circus performers?

It wasn’t until I was 30 years old did I really decide that filmmaking was the direction I wanted to go. In my late 20’s was when I would dare to utter the words “I’m an artist” to myself. When I did for the first time I remember feeling like I was coming home to myself. It felt so good to say those words to myself. I kept them to myself until I uttered them to my mother one day. My mom, who has been incredibly supportive my entire life was worried because we were a young family having some financial challenges withe three kids with major health issues. For the first time she encouraged me to do something other than art and it hit me hard. But I had already come to terms with who I was.

“I was an artist” and I wasn’t going to give up.

Now, don’t get me wrong! I did get a job as a wellness coach to help my family out - I mean i’m not totally irresponsible!

But finally knowing who I was was the beginning of my journey. Over the years the answer to the question

“what type of artist are you” would emerge.

Everything I have created independently has it’s roots in social issues. Somehow I have always organically taken something that I feel passionately about and created art that resonates with others as well. Through doing this for years I began to ask the question

“how does art actually change people?”

A few years ago I had the honor of serving with Americorps specifically the immigrant and refugee service corps for two terms. During this time I was able to produce a mental health short film and screen it all around my city in different faith based and non profit settings. Through filming it and creating conversations around mental health I was able to see right in front of my eyes that something I was worried that society only viewed as a luxury could be something of impact.

My next question was

“how can the art I create make impact?”

After searching for awhile on google I had found a term called Social Impact Entertainment. Social Impact Entertainment was really the term for narrative films that make impact. I was so thrilled to find out that there were others like me who were not documentarians but narrative filmmakers who wanted to create change with their work. I wanted to learn more so for a few years I researched ways that I could get educated in this area. I couldn’t find any actual degree programs for social impact entertainment but I found something called social practice art through an Americorps mentor. I went back and for over a year and ended up deciding to go for it. I wanted to make sure that I was going back to school for the right reasons. I didn’t want to go back because it would sound good to others or to just pump up my ego. I wanted to make sure that this was something God was going to be involved in. The key is that I had to pray about my why. Why did I want to go on this journey? Why was this important to me…really.

The truth is that I want to make films that do something for people on this earth. I want to make films that hit people in their spirits. When I became clear about my why I felt like I had the go ahead to send in my application.

The application process was the most intense process I’ve ever been through personally. I was really nervous because I’ve been out of school for almost 20 years and I have a family to take care of. Also I’ve just recently paid off my student loans and didn’t want to go through that again! I’m grateful I was able to get an assistantship to help with paying for school.

It feels really good that I took this step for myself and am doing something towards my dreams of continuing my education. Even though I’ve been doing this work for a long time I have so much to learn still but I can slowly feel the puzzle pieces coming together.