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.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

MLAB @ NYSATA





MLAB LIVE at RYE BROOK HILTON
[[NYSATA Conference]]

The Mobile Literacy Arts Bus (MLAB) is an artist-run, renovated 1984 American Eagle Recreational Vehicle that exists as a flexible space open to community members' proposals for alternative educational and cultural programming. Artist Marion Wilson conceived founded and directed the renovation of MLAB and the current day to day management of MLAB has been turned over to students, community members and the Syracuse city school district. The pilot year MLAB served one high school, and now in its second year, is serving seventeen schools working with Say Yes to Education, offering art, photography, and writing programming in their after-school programs, as well as with NY Gear Up, offering a conversation and creativity space for young women in high school through an MLAB developed program called Girl Talk. Members of MLAB and 601 Tully Enterprises develop and facilitate these programs.

*** Artist Marion Wilson, MLAB founder, and original MLAB Design/Build Team Members Zach Seibold, Jessica Posner, and Samantha Harmon will be there, conducting a workshop on Friday, entitled:

BEUYS IN THE HOOD: Paradigms and Problematics of Community Arts Praxis
[[Friday, November 20, 3-4:50PM]]

***Artist Mel Chin, this year's keynote speaker, will be presenting his Fundred Project. MLAB will be featured as the Nation's only Mobile Fundred Collection Site.


For more information, visit:


www.mobileliteracyartsbus.blogspot.com

www.fundred.org

www.nysata.org
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