MLAB MISSION STATEMENT


The Mobile Literacy Arts Bus (MLAB) is an artist-run, renovated recreational vehicle that exists as a flexible space open to community members’ proposals for alternative educational and cultural programming.

MLAB is the collaborative effort of the 2007-2008 Social Sculpture class at Syracuse University, comprised of 10 art and architecture students and lead by artist and Director of Community Initiatives in the Visual Arts of Syracuse University, Marion Wilson. Our mission was to transform a used, 1984 Recreational Vehicle Bus into a Mobile Literacy and Arts Bus for use by the Syracuse City School District and the greater Syracuse Community. MLAB serves as a physical manifestation of Syracuse University’s Scholarship in Action initiative, by pairing University resources with community needs in an attempt to address the staggering drop out rates in the Syracuse City School District High Schools. Through the School of Education at Syracuse University, incredible curricula that bridge photography, poetry and literacy currently exist within the public schools-- however due to a crisis of space, the schools don't always have the space or resources to house it. MLAB is this space. The bus serves as a mobile classroom, digital photo lab, gallery space, and community center. As a team, we did it all: demolition, design, and construction.

MLAB is made possible from the generous support of the School of Education at Syracuse University and Entitiative.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

I spoke with Steve regarding the possibility of using scraps for the stairs and he wondered if we could possibly use some of Arjan's materials to make the steps tomorrow? With Arjan's permission of course, we could have the steps completed rather quickly if Marco and I worked on them just during classtime. Another option, if Arjan needs his materials, we would have to buy our own sheets of plywood and cut and construct the stairs this weekend or before next week or buy Arjan a new sheet of plywood. Either way we have to ask Arjan and find out about this tomorrow during class time so we can get these things finished. I stopped in at the bus and Marco hasn't yet gotten the driver's seat out of there so I haven't been able to strip that side of the RV.

On a side note, there will be an interesting presentation on October 15th at 4pm in Gifford Auditorium regarding ideas surrounding disability. Jonathan Mooney apparently took a short bus and travelled the country talking to and recording the stories of members of the disability community. Just thought that some of you might be interested in this intersection of transportation and this issue because it can certainly relate pretty strongly to the M-LAB project. Following the presentation by Mr. Mooney there will be a lecture and discussion at 7PM in Watson Theater and a series of film shorts. Look for posters around campus if you are interested or contact me for more details!

See you all tomorrow in class!
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