Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Darkspark, Education, .
Darkspark is an internationally recognized not-for-profit organization and culturally diverse network of recording artists, educators, music producers and filmmakers who harness pop culture as an effective catalyst for social change. Pop Culture with Purpose
Founded by two musicians, Darkspark is a collective of culturally diverse recording artists, educators, music producers, photographers and f
ilmmakers who recognize the potential of young people to be both present-day and future leaders. We harness pop culture as a catalyst for positive change, working together with youth to address challenging social problems through digital storytelling, experiential education, and song.
29/02/2024
The Black Church is distinctive; from the energetic atmosphere to the verbal affirmations during preachings, Black Christian Churches are often depicted as a place of unity and peace. But dig a little deeper into Christian history, and you’ll find repeated atrocities committed by white Christians in the name of God against Black people. So why, despite Christian-endorsed historical horrors, are Black communities more devoted to God than others? Why does Christianity serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for those it has rejected for so long? Watch this video and click the link below to read an in-depth analysis.
The Lindy Hop was more than a dance style—it was a world-class form of art that helped to tear down racial barriers and elevate the Black community. Check out this video with our team member to learn more about a key player in the rise of the Lindy Hop; Herbert “Whitey” White.
20/02/2024
It's still Black history month and we're highlighting artists who get involved in social initiatives that support Black communities around the world ✊🏿
16/02/2024
Explore the vibrant history of Lindy Hop, the original swing dance born during racial segregation in America. With 4 out of the 5 ballrooms closed to people of colour, the Savoy Ballroom stood as a beacon of inclusivity, hosting dancers of all races. The space was a launching pad for world-class Lindy Hop performers and, eventually, the white community's spin-off dance, the Jitterbug. Watch this video and click the link below to learn about the ballroom, the roots of Lindy Hop roots and the legacy of the dance.
Throwback to our trip to Winnipeg to visit Fellow Ethan Lyric and record his song. We're excited about what's next for him as an artist and for his recent feature in the 👏🏻
Yay Ethan! 🥰
09/02/2024
We hope you've enjoyed getting to know the VERSIONS Fellows a little more these past few weeks! We're looking forward to release each of their documentaries and music very soon. Stay tuned!
In this video:
Daisy
Téa
Drillz
08/02/2024
VERSIONS Fellow tells us about the social impact project she brought to life during the Fellowship: creating a safe space for women and Q***r artists to connect, learn and share challenges. Khan is passionate about addressing inequalities in the music industry and lifting her community up through awareness, education and connection.
We're so proud of the impact of these projects on the Fellows' communities!
05/02/2024
VERSIONS Fellows Zen Taylor , Deinfa Okoro and Kam Stacey speak about what inspires their creative process. What inspires you?
31/01/2024
Meet Fellows David Ogundeji .whiz , Nereah Felix .f and Edward Oladipupo , and learn more about what inspires them!
24/01/2024
VERSIONS Fellows Truddie Mubeezi , Kyle Haddad and Nia Simone tell us about what helps them navigate creative roadblocks!
19/01/2024
VERSIONS Fellows Jeremiah Otis .otis, Jheanelle Owens and Victoria Ibek tell us why they chose music as their art form. We're so glad they did!
17/01/2024
Throughout history, protest songs have played a pivotal role in social movements. They challenge social norms, serve as demands for change, and fuel movements. These musical expressions capture the essence of their times and resonate with listeners for years after the first person pressed "play." Let's explore some of the most notable protest songs. What would you add to the list?
Who's your favourite artist at the moment? Yiidum Wiwa , Khan Khali and Daniel Johnson tell us about their current favourite artist and why they inspire them.
12/01/2024
Contrary to the idea that art is a "soft" skill with no meaningful "real world" benefits, it's actually hard AF. From film and music to dance and painting, art serves as a path to change the world, and artists are leading the way.
Every artist needs inspiration - see what inspires our Fellows
A***n Singh
Ethan Lyric
Cassandra Rivera
08/01/2024
The Fellowship has created an amazing sense of community for the participants and even for our amazing team of mentors, facilitators, production team and everyone else that has been involved a little (or A LOT) with this program. The impact we see is only possible because of all of you! It's inspiring!
Thanks to Kyle for this testimonial 🔥
05/01/2024
Telling stories that bring cross-cultural understanding and connection is one of the main pillars of Darkspark. We believe the power of stories contributes to social change and through the Fellowship, we've spent the last year doing just that. We can't wait to share with you the stories the Fellows have to tell!
02/01/2024
Get to know our Fellows and what lights them up! ✨
Happy Birthday to the most organized, on point, efficient, positive and awesome team player, our very own Project Manager .kh 🥳🎈 I don't know where we would be without you but it definitely wouldn't be put in
The Darkspark fam loves you and we're sorry for all the deliberate hurdles 😅😘
18/12/2023
Get to know the VERSIONS Fellows! and share why they love performing.
13/12/2023
Say Hi 👋🏻 to the first cohort of the Fellowship! We can't wait for you to learn more about how awesome they all are and hear their songs 🥰
12/12/2023
Do you know what a fixer does? We couldn't have done the tour without the help of a team of fixers. They really made our experience flawless and they felt like family. Thank you!!
James Knight
Rodney Night
Priye Hamilton Amachree
JJ aka Anthony Mutambira
Jess Pelser
Kalai Barlow
Obscura Films
Kareece Lawrence 3NITY Agency
08/12/2023
One of the pillars of the VERSIONS Fellowship (and all Darkspark programs) is education about colonial history. We welcomed diverse facilitators including the amazing Cheyne Castroni .chechain._ to discuss this at length. Learning about how colonialism has impacted all of us in different but similar ways - depending on what part of the world you’re in - helps us to understand why the world is the way it is and ignites powerful cross-cultural conversations which can unify and heal. 💥
07/12/2023
The disparity in travel opportunities for people from countries in Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East and more, stems from systemic biases and also reinforces them. Our team learned so much about the inequalities related to travel during the VERSIONS Fellowship and we wanted to bring awareness to it. Did you know that your passport holds privilege?
Thank you to our project manager .kh for contributing to this video!
28/11/2023
We know money is tight this year (Hello groceries doubling in price??) but on this Giving Tuesday, non-profit organizations have no choice but to try and raise more funds to keep the programs that serve their communities alive. Trust that each and every donation results in major impact for the youth we serve.
One of the most important aspects of has been to support the Fellows with regular mentorship sessions, providing them with a safe space to share and reflect. Our amazing VERSIONS Fellowship Mentor and transformational coach Keaton-Woods has been the most incredible support to all 27 Fellows and we couldn't imagine VERSIONS without her. Fellow .otis speaks to his mentorship experience with T during the fellowship. 💕❤️
24/11/2023
Indigenous facilitator and therapist, Cheyne Castroni .chechain._ asked our fellows to watch a video by John Trudell, an Indigenous philosopher, poet and actor, discussing the cycles of harm colonizers perpetuated. History attributes Columbus’s “landing” in America as the origin of centuries of racialized harm, but Trudell adds that the long history of European suffering may have contributed to the discriminatory ideas, systems, and institutions they established in the Americas.
Want your school to be the top-listed School/college?
Darkspark
A not-for-profit organization founded by two musicians, Darkspark is a culturally diverse network of recording artists, educators, music producers and filmmakers who recognize the potential of young people to be both present-day and future leaders. We harness pop culture as an effective catalyst for social change, working together with youth to address challenging social problems through story-telling, experiential education, and song. Darkspark facilitates deep learning and self-reflection, which encourages participants to overcome their prejudices and discover the potential for transforming their ideas for change into action.
Darkspark’s methodology combines intergenerational and multicultural experiential learning with the pervasive power of pop culture. This unique mix underlies all programs - from our in-school arts education programs such as FOUR DIRECTIONS, in which students give voice to the impact of colonialism through cross-cultural dialogue, to our customized LIFE INTO LYRICS programs that tackle challenging life situations, social problems or cultural issues faced by youth. Darkspark’s team guides youth participants to write, record and release pop songs with a social purpose and thereby find and express their own unique voices on specific issues. Our media team captures participants’ genuine, heartfelt experience of our process and builds digital campaigns to authentically convey their messages to audiences far and wide. Youth present their songs and realizations to their communities, then they are shared online with the public.
Youth are empowered through each step of the Darkspark experience. Real intercultural and intergenerational conversations on difficult and complex social issues develop heightened self awareness and compassion in participants. Youth working alongside professional artists to create art that expresses their views also instills confidence and pride; their civic participation through the community presentation gives them a taste of leadership that leaves a lasting impression.
Darkspark’s programs help young people discover their individual potential, while building self-esteem, cross-cultural understanding, problem solving and media literacy skills. Darkspark puts youth at the center of positive social change. When youth stand as leaders in their communities, and use their voices to create something meaningful, others take notice. The pop songs and accompanying media Darkspark produces with young people are shared through contemporary channels to provoke interest and inspire many, globally. Audiences are moved and motivated to amplify the conversations started by young people, which contributes to a more compassionate and empathetic world!
In 2020 Darkspark will expand internationally to work with youth on issues of racial divide, and will launch Throw Down Your Arms working with survivors of gun violence.
