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New Lens

New Lens is a youth-driven social justice organization that makes art and media about issues where a youth perspective can inspire change. The work is used to address systemic problems, facilitate dialogue, shift perspectives, and stimulate action on a variety of social issues including employment, health, and education justice. We produce art and media on commission and teach youth in schools and communities to advocate for issues that impact young people's lives. We employ youth as leaders, impacting more than 200 youth throughout the year. New Lens is an outgrowth of the Kids on the Hill arts-based after-school program. As the program evolved, a group of youth leaders emerged who were ready for the next step of art and media production and activism. This entity was created informally in 2006 and officially in 2009 under the fiscal sponsorship of Fusion Partnerships. The project has allowed youth to create commissioned videos, learn job readiness skills, develop proficiency in the field of video production and instruction, create a venue for earned income for the organization, and to partner with organizations interested in using video to enhance or create a social justice message.