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.


Friday, October 12, 2007

Round 2, Postcards

I know Marion talked about this a bit in class, but I didn't get any specific feedback . . . Do we want to order a second round of postcards??

and if so, how many . . . 250, 500?

and should there be a change to the design? I.e. should our names be included somewhere? Also, should the x be removed from the front? (I've talked to a # people, confused about what this means)

Finally, are we planning on keeping a scanned record of the postcards (idea being used for the website)??

Feedback would be a plus, lemme know what you think.

3 comments:

Marion said...

I say no to the scanned record of postcards - we have too much work to do and I am not sure what the point would be. If we scan any iamages at this point it should be of the class's design drawings and I am not even recommending that.

And I say no to any changes on postcard - it would cost us money. The number should be based on estimated need and our budget.
Thanks Julia
Marion

Roslyn said...

Well, I could use more postcards if I'm bringing them to the other schools. I am picking up ones from Henniger tomorrow and I'll see what the response has been so far.
I think I will also drop some off at the Delavan or at the Warehouse Gallery. Maybe we could encourage that.

Marion said...

JUlia,
Let's order 500 more and keep them as is. If we order MOnday they should be here by Friday??