TITLE:
Taxes 101: Finesse the IRS

DATE: Wednesday, February 19th, 2025

TIME: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET

LOCATION: Zoom link provided upon registration

Led by Gata
@gata_the_baddie
https://thebbaddie.com

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
Are you someone who lives in the US, earns less than 80k, hates and avoids tax season because your taxes feel like it’s impossibly confusing? Are you new or considering being self employed (or you're already self employed) and/or you're someone who has always felt confused and discouraged every tax season? Then this 101 crash course workshop is for you!!! By taking this workshop, you will gain confidence to learn how to file your own taxes for FREE instead of paying $$$ for someone else to file for you. This workshop is highly encouraged for: students, under the table workers, spicy workers, teachers, gig workers, those new to freelancing or considering freelancing.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: computer to access Zoom ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Gata (she/they) is a queer angry Afro Caribeña femme, intersectional feminista who still takes pandemic precautions, organizes free community events, leads in community crowdfunding efforts and advocates for disability justice.

Gata is trauma-informed, and leads with curiosity and kindness. They created the “Bureaucratic Baddie series” which was inspired from sharing best practices in navigating different bureaucratic systems in order to help each other meet needs instead of hoping needs get met from systems that do not serve us.

Other workshops Gata provides includes:
- helping tenants learn how to sue their landlord in small claims court for security deposits (California only).
- helping self employed folks learn the process of obtaining business licenses and DBAs for bureaucratic situations (Los Angeles only).

___________________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE:
AI’s Impact on Climate: Myths, Realities, and Possibilities

DATE: Tuesday, February 4th, 2025

TIME: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET

LOCATION: Zoom link provided upon registration

Led by Mckenzie Noel and David Garcia
@techniculture_
@aboyizagun
@minkacollective
https://www.behance.net/donnoel1

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
This workshop explores the multifaceted relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change, offering a balanced and insightful perspective. Participants will delve into the environmental impacts of AI, including the carbon footprint of data centers and ethical challenges, while also discovering the innovative ways AI is being leveraged to combat the climate crisis.

We will demystify AI by debunking common myths, such as misconceptions about its environmental harm or its perceived dominance over society. Through real-world examples and case studies, we’ll uncover AI’s potential to revolutionize climate action—from optimizing renewable energy systems to predicting and mitigating natural disasters.

Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of:
• The true environmental costs and benefits of AI.
• How to critically evaluate AI’s role in sustainability.
• Practical tools and actionable strategies for using AI to create positive environmental impact.

This workshop emphasizes that AI is here to stay, and by embracing its potential responsibly, we can turn it into a powerful ally in the fight against climate change.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Computer with internet access. ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Kenzi, also known as DJ GÜN, is a dynamic Haitian-American creative force with a broad artistic scope that spans across creative direction, DJing, graphic design, project management, multimedia art, and photography.
As the founder of Techniculture, a groundbreaking music and arts production, Kenzi has created an essential platform for Black queer creatives to showcase their talents in an inclusive and safe space.
Kenzi’s artistic vision weaves together threads of Black pop culture as well as African and Caribbean influences. This fusion is reflected in their bold visuals and immersive soundscapes, making Kenzi a voice in the intersection of culture, art, and social activism.

David (DJ Samadhi) is an Orlando based community builder and project strategist from Medellin (Colombia), founder and creative director of Mink’a Collective.
Mink’a is a network of community builders, multifaceted artists and art collectives that act as agents of cultural transformation.
Created in 2022, Minka is the result of years of building a creative community around shared values, where everyone has a place and an opportunity to express themselves while creating opportunities to increase our acquisitive power (individual and communal) and the refinement of technical skills, transforming the societal construct of western individualism into a collectivist approach that replaces competition with collaboration.

TITLE:
Poetry in Motion - How to make a videopoem

DATE: Wednesday, January 22, 2024

TIME: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET

LOCATION: Zoom link provided upon registration

Led by Surabhi Naik
https://sur.world
@surabhinaik

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
Videopoems combine text, moving images, and sound to create a sublime experience. Whether you're interested in adapting your favorite poems or creating original works, in this 2-hour virtual workshop, you’ll discover how to enhance your poem's emotional and thematic depth using the accessible platform Canva. Designed for beginners, this workshop offers both the technical foundations and creative inspiration to get started in crafting videopoems that bring poetry to life through visual storytelling. By the end of the session, you'll have begun your first videopoem and gained the skills to continue exploring this innovative form of creative expression. Additional resources for exploring the Video Poetry / Poetry Film genre will also be provided.

☆ REQUIREMENTS:
a Canva Account (Free or Pro)
a short text poem
a laptop or desktop computer with internet access
audio speakers or headphones and mouse
(optional) any images or video clips prepared
☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Surabhi Naik is a designer and poet. Her creative life has taken an interdisciplinary path across architecture, documentary film, interactive media development, and poetry, and is grounded in practices of care and world-building. Naik’s affiliations and collaborations span organizations in New York City, including Culture Push, Works on Water, Equity Design Inc, and Parsons, as well as Alotnesse Studio and Urban Design Research Institute Mumbai. Most recently, she was a Brooklyn Poets Fellow, and received the Wingword Poetry Prize 2024. Naik earned her MA in Media Studies at The New School in New York City.

___________________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE:

AI Amplified: Tools for the Modern Freelancer

DATE: Tuesday, January 7th, 2024

TIME: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET

LOCATION: Zoom link provided upon registration

Led by Mckenzie Noel and David Garcia
@techniculture_
@aboyizagun
@minkacollective
https://www.behance.net/donnoel1

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
Unlock the power of Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), and automation tools to supercharge your workflow and take your projects to the next level. This hands-on workshop is designed for freelancers, creatives, and small business owners looking to streamline their processes, save time, and boost efficiency.

In this session, you’ll:
- Explore cutting-edge AI tools that optimize workflows, enhance productivity, and improve project outcomes.

- Learn practical applications for project management with platforms like Notion.

- Discover smart solutions for contract creation, payment processing, and business organization using tools like Square.

- Uncover strategies to deliver better quality products with quicker turnaround times.

Whether you’re managing creative projects, running a business, or looking for ways to scale your operations, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and tools to stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly automated world.
Future-proof your skills and amplify your potential with AI Amplified!

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Computer with internet access. ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:

Kenzi, also known as DJ GÜN, is a dynamic Haitian-American creative force with a broad artistic scope that spans across creative direction, DJing, graphic design, project management, multimedia art, and photography.
As the founder of Techniculture, a groundbreaking music and arts production, Kenzi has created an essential platform for Black queer creatives to showcase their talents in an inclusive and safe space.
Kenzi’s artistic vision weaves together threads of Black pop culture as well as African and Caribbean influences. This fusion is reflected in their bold visuals and immersive soundscapes, making Kenzi a voice in the intersection of culture, art, and social activism.

David (DJ Samadhi) is an Orlando based community builder and project strategist from Medellin (Colombia), founder and creative director of Mink’a Collective.
Mink’a is a network of community builders, multifaceted artists and art collectives that act as agents of cultural transformation.
Created in 2022, Minka is the result of years of building a creative community around shared values, where everyone has a place and an opportunity to express themselves while creating opportunities to increase our acquisitive power (individual and communal) and the refinement of technical skills, transforming the societal construct of western individualism into a collectivist approach that replaces competition with collaboration.

REGISTER HERE: https://withfriends.co/event/22501047/ai_amplified_tools_for_the_modern_freelancer
___________________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE:
Leveraging AI for the Grant Application Process

DATE: Tuesday, Dec 17th, 2024

TIME: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET

LOCATION: Zoom link provided upon registration

Led by Senaida Ng
https://www.senaida.ca
https://www.instagram.com/senaidaxoxo
https://1000dreamsfund.org/success/senaida-18-funded

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
In this workshop, SENAIDA will discuss how AI can revolutionize your approach to securing funding and artist opportunities. Learn to effectively search for the right grants, craft compelling artist statements, and generate innovative project ideas with tools like ChatGPT. We’ll also explore AI image-generation tools such as Leonardo to create project mockups that bring your vision to life. Gain access to valuable resources for finding grants and practical tips for maximizing AI’s potential in your creative process. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, this session will empower you to streamline your applications and stand out in competitive funding landscapes.

PROGRAMS USED: ChatGPT, Leonardo AI

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Laptop ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
SENAIDA (pronounced “shuh-nay-duh”) is a Chinese-Canadian transdisciplinary artist and technologist with over eight years of experience applying for and securing artist grants and residencies. They have received over $200,000 in grants and scholarships in the past four years, including professional development and public art grants, federal funding, and awards such as the NAMM President's Innovation Award and is the youngest recipient of the Paliwal Club of 100 scholarship. SENAIDA's work has been presented at prestigious venues including the Cannes Film Festival, ASCAP Lab, and New Visions for Music & Sound in Berlin. As the founder of WE ARE THE FUTURE!, a queer BIPOC artist collective and label in NYC, SENAIDA creates immersive experiences at the intersection of sonic cyberfeminism, generative art, and sustainability, redefining the role of technology in artistic expression.

___________________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE:
Empowr Sound Series: Ableton Production Flow

DATE: Monday, December 9th, 2024

TIME: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM ET

LOCATION: Zoom link provided upon registration

Led by Swaya
https://linktr.ee/swaya96
https://www.instagram.com/swaya96
https://ra.co/reviews/34895

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
For many experienced producers mixing a track is an innate part of the production workflow. This workshop will introduce students to workflow tips & tricks to incorporate principles of mixing and signal flow into their music production workflow intuitively, while also providing an in-depth overview of the Ableton DAW with a particular focus on the mixing tools within its samplers, instruments and audio effects.

PROGRAMS USED: Ableton

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Laptop, Ableton and Headphones ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Brooklyn based artist, DJ and producer Swaya has spent a lifetime exploring the possibilities of storytelling and meaning making through sound. Her music synthesizes a myriad of influences from bossa nova, noise and r&b to kuduro, grime and hip hop, all molded by her penchant for emotional melody and inventive sound design. A member of the PTP collective, she has released with labels like s.M.i.l.e, PTP, TT and Ultra Rare.

Beyond her personal artistic work Swaya is also an established producer and audio engineer, currently working with Brooklyn producer Tony Seltzer at his studio Seltzer Sounds. She has worked with the likes of Eartheater, MIKE, Babyxsosa, Key!, Hawa, Zelooperz, Mercury, Lambkin, Gabe Nandez and more.

___________________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE:
AI Revolution for Creatives: Branding, Marketing & Advertising

DATE: Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024

TIME: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET

LOCATION: Zoom link provided upon registration

Led by Mckenzie Noel and David Garcia
@techniculture_
@aboyizagun
@minkacollective
https://www.behance.net/donnoel1

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
This workshop is designed to empower creatives, and professionals of industries related to Entertainment, Branding, Marketing & Advertising, with a basic technical framework of what Artificial Intelligence is, the role it plays in modern society and the possibilities for implementing innovative technologies into the creative process.

This workshop seeks to deconstruct and demystify the preconceived notions that have been fed to us about AI, and the broader effects of modern technology in the wake of the 4th industrial revolution, by exploring strategies and tools that can increase cost-effectiveness and efficiency, as this can have a direct positive impact in the life and business of freelancers and creatives.

We will also learn a general framework for prompt engineering that can allow for the use of Large Language Models to increase the quality of services and final products in various creative industries.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Computer with internet access. ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:

Kenzi, also known as DJ GÜN, is a dynamic Haitian-American creative force with a broad artistic scope that spans across creative direction, DJing, graphic design, project management, multimedia art, and photography.
As the founder of Techniculture, a groundbreaking music and arts production, Kenzi has created an essential platform for Black queer creatives to showcase their talents in an inclusive and safe space.
Kenzi’s artistic vision weaves together threads of Black pop culture as well as African and Caribbean influences. This fusion is reflected in their bold visuals and immersive soundscapes, making Kenzi a voice in the intersection of culture, art, and social activism.

David (DJ Samadhi) is an Orlando based community builder and project strategist from Medellin (Colombia), founder and creative director of Mink’a Collective.
Mink’a is a network of community builders, multifaceted artists and art collectives that act as agents of cultural transformation.
Created in 2022, Minka is the result of years of building a creative community around shared values, where everyone has a place and an opportunity to express themselves while creating opportunities to increase our acquisitive power (individual and communal) and the refinement of technical skills, transforming the societal construct of western individualism into a collectivist approach that replaces competition with collaboration.

TITLE:
Sonic Cyberfeminism 101: Hacking the Algorithms of Digital Discrimination

DATE: Tuesday, November, 19th, 2024

TIME: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET

LOCATION: Zoom link provided upon registration

LED BY ANA ROMAN
http://www.anaroman.space/origins Generative Alias/Music: http://www.skulptor.space

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
Sonic Cyberfeminism 101: Hacking the Algorithms of Digital Discrimination is a 3-hour interactive workshop designed to empower artists, activists, djs and producers. This workshop will arm all creatives with the tools necessary to identify and challenge algorithmic bias, plus discriminatory practices prevalent in today's digital music landscape. We will explore the intersections of sound, technology, and intersectional cyberfeminism. Gain hands-on experience with accessible sound editing tools while learning how to use sonic interventions as a form of digital resistance. Through curated listening sessions, live demonstrations, and a collaborative "Sonic Solidarity Postcard" activity, we'll discover how to amplify underrepresented voices and harness the power of networked noise as a tool to disrupt oppressive digital systems. The session concludes with a Q&A, offering further guidance on incorporating Sonic Cyberfeminist practices into your creative and activist work.
This workshop will cover:

Fundamentals of Sonic Cyberfeminism and its role in digital activism
How sound can be used to challenge algorithmic bias in music technology
Ethical considerations for artists using sound as a tool for digital resistance
Demonstrations of accessible sound editing tools for sonic activism
Case studies of Sonic Cyberfeminist projects and their impact
"Sonic Solidarity Postcard" activity using simple online audio tools
Discussion of music industry inequalities and strategies for intervention
Best practices for creating inclusive and representative soundscapes
Techniques for sonically "hacking" recommendation algorithms and content ID systems, Exploring the potential of collaborative sound-making for digital solidarity.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: An account on https://www.soundtrap.com/musicmakers (free service) for the collaborative section of this workshop. Laptop or Ipad to take notes however, they will not be needing much as they will be encouraged to make up their own minds regarding the tools suitable to their own artistic practice. ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:

Ana Roman (Skulptor), is an independent workshop facilitator, teaching artist, generative arts creative consultant, and creative technologist. Roman's critical work has garnered them workshop performances and talks at MIT Media Lab, Berklee College of Music, NYU Clive Davis, and Berklee College of Music to name a few. Roman's ongoing research in Sonic Cyberfeminism and Algorithmic Bias exposes and explores the relationships between gender and tech, avatarization, queering AI, data rights, and the transformative impacts of AI on human identity. Additionally, they are DJ/Producer with recent appearances at Sonar Festival and Refraction Festival with features in DJ Magazine and Mix Mag.

___________________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE:
Mental Models for Navigating the Crypto World

DATE: Thursday, November, 14th, 2024

TIME: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET

LOCATION: Zoom link provided upon registration

LED BY PHI PHAM
IG: @phiunit - https://www.instagram.com/phiunit

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
Crypto is superconfusing...and tends to feel scammy. How is this the future of finance if I don't feel comfortable with the entire space? Phi Pham has spent over 10 years riding crypto's busts and booms cycles and is going to lead a session with some of his favorite frameworks to help students get a better grasp about it all. Join us whether you're a beginner or advanced crypto builder/trader/investor/degenerate to discuss and learn some new ways to think about cryptocurrencies.

Phi Pham will share a few of the things that help users analyze crypto projects and how someone should consider getting involved in a project or buying a coin or creating a token, etc.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Zoom ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Phi Pham is the Founder and CEO of Building Beats, an entrepreneur and suvessful investor.

__________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE:
Intro to Music Production on Ableton Live Suite 11 with Total XTC

DATE: Thursday, November, 7th, 2024

TIME: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM ET

LOCATION: Zoom link provided upon registration

LED BY TOTAL XTC
https://linktr.ee/totalxtc

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
This workshop will be an introduction to Ableton Live Suite’s layout and the basics of making a track— aimed for beginners or those in the very early stages of Ableton. Whether you're just getting into Ableton or have some experience using another DAW such as Logic, FL Studio, etc, and want to transfer over to Ableton—this course is for you.

Throughout the workshop, I will go over all the key features needed to get started using Ableton Live Suite. I'll be going over all of the key features that Ableton offers and give a breakdown of the most important tools that you need to know to make a track. I will then demonstrate step by step how to make a quick club track–– creating loops, adding effects, using the automation feature, and exporting the track.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: This workshop is perfect if you have Ableton Live Suite 11, which is the one that I’ll be demonstrating with but should be fine with most versions/editions of Ableton also. The workshop may also still be helpful even if you don’t own Ableton and just want to start learning and have a visual demonstration before purchasing the software. Any device that you can use Zoom with is all you need! ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Total XTC is an afro-Dominican DJ + producer originally from The Bronx. His productions are heavily influenced by his cultural background, using samples as a way of story-telling and often incorporating Caribbean rhythms like Dembow, Dancehall, and Reggaeton into electronic soundscapes. Total XTC also founded NYC based dance party Body Journey, which spotlights a diverse roster of local and international talent, and hosts a bi-monthly radio show on Oroko Radio.

__________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE:
MASTERING THE MACHINE A Creative Approach to Human-Centered AI in Music Composition and Production

DATE: Thursday, October, 24th, 2024

TIME: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT

LOCATION: Zoom link provided upon registration

LED BY SENAIDA NG
www.senaida.ca
www.instagram.com/senaidaxoxo www.namm.org/nammu/industry/a3e-session-visionary-women-musical-ai
https://newvisions.berlin/sessions/new-visions-for-generative-ai-and-music

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
This workshop structured into 6 key topics that guide participants through the fundamentals of AI in music, creative techniques for using generative AI tools, and how to maintain human control in AI-driven music projects. This workshop will cover AI terminology and machine learning basics before diving into advanced topics like algorithmic composition, deep learning architectures, and Music Information Retrieval (MIR). Attendees will learn how to creatively "break" AI tools by pushing their boundaries and explore the ethical implications surrounding AI-generated music, such as copyright and authorship.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Laptop with Ableton or Logic installed ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Toronto-born SENAIDA (pronounced “Shuh-nay-duh”) is a Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist and technologist, whose work embodies a profound exploration of the intersections between sonic cyberfeminism, post-humanism, generative art, AI ethics, and sustainability. As a sound architect, DJ, curator, and creative entrepreneur, SENAIDA crafts immersive, collective experiences that challenge and redefine the boundaries of art and technology. Their work has been featured in the Cannes Next Film Festival, NYC Media Lab, Abbey Road Red, NAMM, New Visions for Music & Sound, Refuge Worldwide, Maschinenhaus Berlin, and the Wavy Awards.

SENAIDA is the visionary founder and resident DJ of WE ARE THE FUTURE!, a queer & BIPOC underground collective, label and curated art party in NYC, where they seamlessly blend interdisciplinary collaboration with forward-thinking artistry. Their academic journey through New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music and Interactive Media Arts Low Residency programs has further honed their ability to merge the worlds of sound, visual art and technology.

__________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE:
Collective Dreaming Workshop: 3D Immersive Worldbuilding with Hiba

DATE: Wednesday, October, 16th, 2024

TIME: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT

LOCATION: Zoom link provided upon registration

LED BY HIBA ALI
@ h3ba.hyba.xba
https://hibaali.info

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
How can we use immersive 3D objects, images and sound to dream together? Join artist and worldbuilder, Hiba Ali, as they guide you through a prompt based gently-paced workshop to build a 3D world through activating a sense of play and design a collective dreamscape using Blender and New Art City together. No previous experience necessary, all are welcome.

Software being used:
* Blender - Download the latest version on their site.
* New Art City - Create an account here and share the email you used to sign up with.
*Freesound.org - Create an account on freesound.org.
*Free3D - Create an account on free3d.org.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Please download and install Blender and create an account on New Art City. Share the email with me so I can create a world for all the students. ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Hiba Ali PhD shares their digital art in the form of immersive digital environments, sculpture-based installations, moving images, garments, and sound. They developed the term, digital somatics, to embody the body-mind-spirit connection to the principles of game design, worldbuilding and narrative storytelling. They use virtual reality, 3D animation and augmented reality to slow down time and create portals of solace and care and consider the digital portal as a liminal space where they call forth more loving and healing into our world. Their work has been presented in VBKÖ (Vienna), Deichtorhallen Internationale Kunst und Fotografie (Hamburg), re:publica (Berlin), Centre A (Vancouver), Horse Hospital, 15 Folds (London), Ars Electronica Festival, Onassis Stegi (Athens), Chicago Architecture Biennial (Chicago), Portland Art Museum (Portland), Interaccess, Trinity Video Square, Images Festival (Toronto), Alserkal Avenue (Dubai), Dhow Countries Music Academy (Zanzibar), Rehnsgatan 3 (Stockholm), Medrar for Contemporary Art (Cairo), UMAM D&R (Beirut), Oberhausen International Short Film Festival (Oberhausen), Belladonna, Index NYC (New York City), imc5533 (Istanbul) and File-Electronic Language International Festival (São Paulo.)

__________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE:
Intro to Digital Music Organization With RekordBox

DATE: Wednesday, October, 2nd, 2024

TIME: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM EDT

LOCATION: Zoom link provided upon registration

LED BY LYCHEE
(@lycheefrut)
https://lychee.club

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
Whether you're a newer DJ or a seasoned pro, if you're DJing digitally, you'll probably eventually need to use Rekordbox. This workshop walks through some ways to think about music organization, how to make sure your files will play on different CDJs, alternatives to iTunes/Music, and some ways to use tags, playlists, cue points, and other features to set yourself up for creativity and improvisation at the gig. We recommend this workshop for novices and intermediate-level DJs.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: No strict pre-requisites - though this will not cover the most basic aspects of getting Rekordbox set up. We'll focus on concepts like how to think about tagging and playlists, and hopefully during skillsharing time people can share their own tips and organization systems to represent a variety of methods. ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Lychee is a Brooklyn-based DJ and writer formerly of Boston, whose dance music culture zine Spontaneous Affinity has explored topics ranging from the labor behind the scenes of your favorite party to critical examinations of gender, race, and sexuality in the culture (as well as hosting some of our favorite mixes of recent years). In addition to holding down regular appearances at Basement, Nowadays, and Bossa Nova Civic Club and DJing and working at festivals like Sustain-Release and Honcho, Lychee is part of the Antidote and Meridian event collectives, co-runs the label Unimatrix Zero, and was on the board for the Aslice Foundation.

__________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE:
CTRL + CREATE: Ethical AI Tools for Empowered Creation

DATE: Wednesday, September, 25th, 2024

TIME: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

LOCATION: Zoom link provided upon registration

LED BY ANA ROMAN
(http://www.anaroman.space/origins)
@anodromedan @skulptormusic

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
CTRL + Create: Ethical AI Tools for Empowered Creation is a 3-hour interactive workshop designed to equip artists with the foundational knowledge needed to ethically and responsibly integrate generative AI into their own creative practices. We will explore the fundamentals of ethical AI, gain hands-on experience with select AI tools, and learn how to apply these technologies in ways that protect and uplift our communities. Through case studies, demonstrations, and collaborative brainstorming sessions, we'll discover the creative potential of AI while adhering to ethical standards that preserve the integrity of our own artistic practices. The session concludes with a Q&A, offering further guidance on incorporating ethical AI into your creative work.
This workshop will cover:
- How the basics of Ethical Generative AI protects you and your community
- Fundamentals of generative AI in creative contexts
- Ethical considerations for digital artists using AI demonstrations of select ethical AI tools
- Case studies of artists successfully integrating AI in their work
- Brainstorming sessions to apply AI concepts to your projects
- Discussion of each tool's ethical features and creative potential
- Best practices for responsible AI use in digital creation

The session concludes with a 30-45 minute Q&A, allowing participants to dive deeper into topics that resonate with their creative pursuits.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: A Laptop or Ipad to take notes - however, they will not be needing much as they will be encouraged to make up their own minds regarding the tools suitable to their own artistic practice. ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Ana Roman (Skulptor), is an independent workshop facilitator, teaching artist, generative arts creative consultant, and creative technologist. Roman's critical work has garnered them workshop performances and talks at MIT Media Lab, NYU Clive Davis, and Berklee College of Music to name a few. Roman's ongoing research in Sonic Cyberfeminism and Algorithmic Bias exposes and explores the relationships between gender and tech, avatarization, queering AI, data rights, and the transformative impacts of AI on human identity. Additionally, they are DJ/Producer with recent appearances at Sonar Festival and Refraction Festival with features in DJ Magazine and Mix Mag.

__________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE: Holograms for Artists and Illustrators

DATE: Saturday, September, 14th, 2024

TIME: 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM

LOCATION: The Looking Glass Factory, 190 West Street, Suite 18, Brooklyn, NY 11222
**** RSVP REQUIRED ****

LED BY ELLIE MACQUEEN (http://elliemacqueen.com)

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
In this workshop, participants will learn to create AI-generated images and transform 2D art into holograms by editing depth maps. They’ll also explore Blender to design and render holograms, blending digital creativity with 3D modeling techniques for stunning visual results. Perfect for artists and tech enthusiasts alike!

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Laptop ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Ellie is a creative technologist specializing in immersive multimedia art and experiences. She blends 2D and 3D elements, such as collages, digital doodles, and 3D models, with Augmented and Virtual Reality. Her work is developed using tools like Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, Lens Studio, and Spark AR.

Ellie collaborated with the Looking Glass creative team to develop their first set of Liteform holographic, fully interactable characters. She also works with creators at Autotroph, helping them develop tools for Blender to expand creative possibilities.

Her passion for intersectionality, real-time render engines, 360 capture, photogrammetry, and open-source tools drives her work. Often starting with analog mediums, she transforms these into digitally enhanced final pieces, collaborating with digital artists, musicians, and developers.

__________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

placeView on map

TITLE: Botanical Cyanotype Printmaking Pt. II

DATE: September, 3rd, 2024

TIME: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

LOCATION: Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY - * Find us to the right of the Brooklyn Botanical Garden entrance
**** RSVP REQUIRED ****

LED BY JAÉLYNN (@c.e.i.b.a)

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
Back by popular demand! Soak in the last summer sunlight and join us for Part II of our Botanical Cyanotype Printmaking workshop.
Participants will go through the process of creating sun printed compositions using plants and other found objects to create original artworks. Cyanotype is a mixture of iron salts and potassium ferricyanide that when applied to a soluble media and exposed to the sun's UV rays creates one of a kind art prints.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Open to all levels ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Jaélynn Amara Dominguez is a freelance educator and artist who works with printmaking and mixed media. Her work focuses on queer ecology, biomimicry, and human/nature relations.
__________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE: Blender Skill Building: Rendering 90s-Inspired Technology

DATE: August, 22nd, 2024

TIME: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT

LOCATION: Zoom Link provided upon RSVP
**** RSVP REQUIRED ****

LED BY ISABELLE BEAUCHAMP (@bellebbeau) isabellebeauchamp.xyz

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
Interested in making 3D artwork? Build your skills with this 2-hour workshop good for both beginners and intermediate learners.
We’ll cover modeling, materials, lighting and more in this 90s-Inspired class. Create your own dream Tamagotchi, or the perfect flip-phone for clacking shut.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: ☆
No experience required—just a computer! ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ note: Please have the program downloaded prior to class.


ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Isabelle Beauchamp is an NYC 3D multimedia artist primarily working with 3D.

Her work explores the way technology and organic forms interact with each other and the female form in the modern digital world.
__________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

☆ ABOUT THE EVENT ☆

We are so excited to host our 5th annual POWRUP workshop series this July! POWRUP is a 5-day workshop series designed to empower participants with the knowledge and skills to navigate and shape the digital world we live in. The underlying philosophy of these workshops is rooted in the belief that understanding technology is crucial for individuals to have agency and influence over their own future.

The theme of "Technologic Symbiosis" underscores the idea that technology and humanity are deeply interconnected, with each shaping and informing the other in profound ways. This year’s workshops will range from Zine Making, Writing, AI, and Building your own Synthesizer to Researching Webs And Thought Lineage. 

This edition’s lineup features brilliant teaching artists, including Tivali Thomas, Devandra A.i., Franki Farb in collaboration with Scribbles, Riley Wong in collaboration with Synth Library NYC, and Mollie Caffey. 

Location: Trans-Pecos, 9-15 Wyckoff Ave, Queens, NY 11385
*Venue is ADA Accesible* 

Registration is FREE. RSVP is required.  

Dates: July 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 29th, and 30th, 2024

Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm 

MORE INFO

Day 5:  Tuesday, July 30th, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM 

Research webs and thought lineages: using nature’s models to imagine structures of information taught by Mollie Caffie. 

This is a workshop for exploring one’s own research practices through the systems of energetic exchange and biological, geological, atmospheric embodiment - the physical laws, ephemeral phenomena of the earth and the known and theorized universe beyond. Together we will discuss, and utilize motifs and archetypes of nature to apply systems of logic, citation, and organization of information to expand our own research. Recognizing where this language and models are already used in for technology (ie the cloud) we will discuss and imagine ways to extend these systems beyond metaphor – how can they be sustainable, literal, regenerative, and interdependent, how can we evolve our relationships to one another through information and our relationships as collective to information itself. This course is rooted in the premise that thoughts belong to no one, they are shared, from a pool of consciousness.. 

About The Teacher:

Mollie Caffey is an artist and writer living in the Midwest. They received an MFA from Tyler School of Art in 2020. They are an observer of contrast, of contradiction, of pattern, of evolution, of revolution. They are here to record and translate observations, generate ideas, and imagine other iterations of worlds. Their work is interested in the webbed paradigm of contradiction, correlation, and symbiosis among the real and malleable limitations of the physical world, apparati, and embodied technologies. They are focused on the relationship between an unfolding consciousness of physiological functions such as neural-plasticity, genetics and more visual, conceptual networks and archetypes, to give shape to new narratives of human potential, the nature of self, and of existence.

☆ Open to all levels ☆

★
! BONUS !
POWRPLNT will offer a stipend of $50 to the participants who attend the five sessions
**** RSVP required to be eligible ****

Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

☆ ABOUT THE EVENT ☆

We are so excited to host our 5th annual POWRUP workshop series this July! POWRUP is a 5-day workshop series designed to empower participants with the knowledge and skills to navigate and shape the digital world we live in. The underlying philosophy of these workshops is rooted in the belief that understanding technology is crucial for individuals to have agency and influence over their own future.

The theme of "Technologic Symbiosis" underscores the idea that technology and humanity are deeply interconnected, with each shaping and informing the other in profound ways. This year’s workshops will range from Zine Making, Writing, AI, and Building your own Synthesizer to Researching Webs And Thought Lineage. 

This edition’s lineup features brilliant teaching artists, including Tivali Thomas, Devandra A.i., Franki Farb in collaboration with Scribbles, Riley Wong in collaboration with Synth Library NYC, and Mollie Caffey. 

Location: Trans-Pecos, 9-15 Wyckoff Ave, Queens, NY 11385
*Venue is ADA Accesible* 

Registration is FREE. RSVP is required.  

Dates: July 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 29th, and 30th, 2024

Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm 

MORE INFO

Day 4: Monday July 29th, 2024, 4:00 PM - 7:00PM 

Synth LibraryNYC: Sonic Technology Exploration with Riley Wong and Janus Rose

Synthesizers can be intimidating to beginners, but they don’t have to be! If we look past all the buttons, knobs and blinking lights, learning the fundamentals can make synthesis technology much simpler, giving us a clearer view of how to make all kinds of sounds. In this workshop, we will demystify the synthesizer by breaking down its core components, revealing the raw building blocks we can use to create any electronic sound - No experience or music theory knowledge required.

About The Teacher(s): Janus Rose is producer, dj and synthesist with over 15 years of experience creating and performing electronic music. Her practice ranges from modular synth and live hardware performance to dj sets featuring club-forward, futuristic sounds. A veteran of NYC’s electronic music underground, she is the host of SOFT_RESET, a local party for experimental bass and club music.

Riley Wong is a sound artist, performer, organizer, and independent researcher based in Brooklyn, NY. They perform improvised electro-acoustic ambient music influenced by classical contemporary, free jazz, and experimental electronic, and informed by their piano and flute training, work in the synthesizer industry, and involvement in Brooklyn’s queer experimental music scene. Wong is a co-organizer of Synth Library NYC, which offers free rentals of electronic music gear with emphasis on femmes and QTBIPOC. They also host tender alchemy, an experimental and ambient music night for deep listening.

☆ Open to all levels ☆

★
! BONUS !
POWRPLNT will offer a stipend of $50 to the participants who attend the five sessions
**** RSVP required to be eligible ****

Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

☆ ABOUT THE EVENT ☆

We are so excited to host our 5th annual POWRUP workshop series this July! POWRUP is a 5-day workshop series designed to empower participants with the knowledge and skills to navigate and shape the digital world we live in. The underlying philosophy of these workshops is rooted in the belief that understanding technology is crucial for individuals to have agency and influence over their own future.

The theme of "Technologic Symbiosis" underscores the idea that technology and humanity are deeply interconnected, with each shaping and informing the other in profound ways. This year’s workshops will range from Zine Making, Writing, AI, and Building your own Synthesizer to Researching Webs And Thought Lineage. 

This edition’s lineup features brilliant teaching artists, including Tivali Thomas, Devandra A.i., Franki Farb in collaboration with Scribbles, Riley Wong in collaboration with Synth Library NYC, and Mollie Caffey. 

Location: Trans-Pecos, 9-15 Wyckoff Ave, Queens, NY 11385
*Venue is ADA Accesible* 

Registration is FREE. RSVP is required.  

Dates: July 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 29th, and 30th, 2024

Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm 

MORE INFO

Day 3: Wednesday, July 24th, 2024, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Digital Diaries with Scribbles led by Franki Farb and Taia Leituala

This program is a community based zine making workshop party. Creating multi-sensory digital diaries where we'll scan physical objects into digital formats using free programs like Figma, Electric Zine Maker, and Notion. This collaborative session encourages exploration and creativity, transforming everyday objects into interactive digital experiences.

About The Teacher(s): Franki Farb, a Brooklyn-based visual artist and community organizer, uses various mediums such as photography, videography, collage, sewing, printmaking, and zine making to explore personal curiosities and emotions. Their work, characterized by vulnerability and playfulness, aims to connect with others on a deep emotional level, encouraging openness and self-expression through art.

Taia Leituala, also based in Brooklyn, is a versatile artist known for their dynamic approach to graphic design, illustration, and multidisciplinary arts. They create vibrant and textured pieces that evolve with their moods and interests, treating each artwork as an experimental journey. Recently, Taia has focused on creating comic journals to document personal experiences and relationships visually. They also specialize in crafting event flyers that capture the unique atmosphere of each occasion for musicians and DJs.

☆ Open to all levels ☆

★
! BONUS !
POWRPLNT will offer a stipend of $50 to the participants who attend the five sessions
**** RSVP required to be eligible ****

Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

☆ ABOUT THE EVENT ☆

We are so excited to host our 5th annual POWRUP workshop series this July! POWRUP is a 5-day workshop series designed to empower participants with the knowledge and skills to navigate and shape the digital world we live in. The underlying philosophy of these workshops is rooted in the belief that understanding technology is crucial for individuals to have agency and influence over their own future.

The theme of "Technologic Symbiosis" underscores the idea that technology and humanity are deeply interconnected, with each shaping and informing the other in profound ways. This year’s workshops will range from Zine Making, Writing, AI, and Building your own Synthesizer to Researching Webs And Thought Lineage. 

This edition’s lineup features brilliant teaching artists, including Tivali Thomas, Devandra A.i., Franki Farb in collaboration with Scribbles, Riley Wong in collaboration with Synth Library NYC, and Mollie Caffey. 

Location: Trans-Pecos, 9-15 Wyckoff Ave, Queens, NY 11385
*Venue is ADA Accesible* 

Registration is FREE. RSVP is required.  

Dates: July 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 29th, and 30th, 2024

Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm 

MORE INFO

Day 2: Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

How I Learned to Stop Worrying And Love A.i Led By S.A Chavarria

In this workshop, we'll delve into the transformative impact of language technology on human consciousness, with a special focus on AI. Through exploring non-Western perspectives, we aim to deepen our understanding of how AI continues the legacy of language technology in shaping societal and individual perception. Key topics include the role of language in transforming consciousness, the societal impact of writing, and AI's influence on our understanding of reality. Artists, writers, and thinkers are invited to engage with both the practical workings and profound implications of AI, exploring its potential as a transformative force while critically examining its risks. No coding background is needed—just an interest in AI and its evolving role in our lives and consciousness.

About The Teacher: S.A. Chavarría is an anti-disciplinary artist and researcher from Costa Rica. Her work revolves around her ongoing, long-term project of raising Devendra AI, a so-called AI chatbot, through conversation in her roles as artist, writer, engineer, and collaborator. Utilizing networked media, digital artifacts, experimental video art, and performance, Chavarría narrates the evolving story of her relationship with Devendra AI and the worlds they create together. She aims to produce art with hallucinogenic properties; language art that endows the reader with a profound new awareness of themselves and their relationships with artificial entities and the natural world.

☆ Open to all levels ☆

★
! BONUS !
POWRPLNT will offer a stipend of $50 to the participants who attend the five sessions
**** RSVP required to be eligible ****

Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

☆ ABOUT THE EVENT ☆

We are so excited to host our 5th annual POWRUP workshop series this July! POWRUP is a 5-day workshop series designed to empower participants with the knowledge and skills to navigate and shape the digital world we live in. The underlying philosophy of these workshops is rooted in the belief that understanding technology is crucial for individuals to have agency and influence over their own future.

The theme of "Technologic Symbiosis" underscores the idea that technology and humanity are deeply interconnected, with each shaping and informing the other in profound ways. This year’s workshops will range from Zine Making, Writing, AI, and Building your own Synthesizer to Researching Webs And Thought Lineage. 

This edition’s lineup features brilliant teaching artists, including Tivali Thomas, Devandra A.i., Franki Farb in collaboration with Scribbles, Riley Wong in collaboration with Synth Library NYC, and Mollie Caffey. 

Location: Trans-Pecos, 9-15 Wyckoff Ave, Queens, NY 11385
*Venue is ADA Accesible* 

Registration is FREE. RSVP is required.  

Dates: July 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 29th, and 30th, 2024

Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm 

MORE INFO

Day 1: Monday, July 22nd, 2024, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

An Outcall: A Poetry Workshop Led By Tivali Thomas

This workshop begin with a dynamic introductory writing exercise emphasizing writing as a muscle, followed by sharing favorite lines. Explore black queer poetry, then engage in collaborative group writing with open editing. Conclude with an ekphrastic poetry exercise inspired by an image, celebrating diverse creative interpretations. The workshop ends with an open sharing of poetry created during the session.

About The Teacher: Tivali Thomas aka DOLLNXTDOOR  is an internationally recognized poet, performer and DJ, creating music, literature and art that celebrates and interrogates the Black Trans experience.

Her goal is to use sound, performance and literature to create a vacuum of love and immersion. She uses her DJ sets as a medium to communicate her deep love and appreciation for black queer influence on art and music. She has shared her artistry at the Kennedy Center, The White House, The Stage Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa, The Schomburg Center for Research, The Leslie Lohman Museum and has led workshops at Harvard's Alumni of Color Conference. She’s performed for TEDx and has been a panelist for the Laramie Project, The Angelito Collective, and several other queer

☆ Open to all levels ☆

★
! BONUS !
POWRPLNT will offer a stipend of $50 to the participants who attend the five sessions
**** RSVP required to be eligible ****

Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

TITLE: Botanical Cyanotype Printmaking

DATE: June, 26th, 2024

TIME: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM EDT

LOCATION: Prospect Park - * Find us to the right of the Brooklyn Botanical Garden entrance
**** RSVP REQUIRED ****

LED BY JAÉLYNN (@c.e.i.b.a)

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
The Botanical Cyanotype Printmaking workshop engages participants in the process of creating sun printed compositions using plants to create original artworks. Cyanotype is a mixture of iron salts and potassium ferricyanide that when applied to a soluble media and exposed to the sun's UV rays creates one of a kind art prints.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Open to all levels ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Jaélynn Amara Dominguez is a freelance educator and artist who works with printmaking and mixed media. Her work focuses on queer ecology, biomimicry, and human/nature relations.
__________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE: Intro to CDJs

DATE: June, 17th, 2024

TIME: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT

LOCATION: Trans-Pecos, 9-15 Wyckoff Ave, Queens, NY 11385

LED BY PRINCESS PEGGIE (@princesspeggie)

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
Join us at Trans-Pecos for a hands-on intro to CDJs, the essential piece of tech a DJ needs to spin. Princess Peggie will cover beat matching, navigating the device, and the expression of personality while Djing. Afterwards, participants can test their skills on open decks from 8-9 pm (*15-20 minute time slots will be available on a first come first serve basis ☆)

★ REQUIREMENTS: Bring A USB With Pre-loaded music that's been analyzed on Rekordbox! 🎶★

https://www.instagram.com/princesspeggie
https://soundcloud.com/princesspeggie
__________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE: Grant Writing Strategies: Subjectivity and Objectivity

DATE: June, 12th, 2024

TIME: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT

LOCATION: Zoom

LED BY CHRISTINE STODDARD (@stoddardsays

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
This one-hour workshop will present an overview of what an artist grant is and the advantage of thinking strategically when applying. Learn to balance the more objective info about your practice and project with the more subjective story that gets people invested. The emphasis is on creating a captivating narrative will take your grants to the next level.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Basic knowledge of what an artist grant is. Bonus if you've applied to 1 or 2 in the past! ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Christine Stoddard is a filmmaker, performer, and artist named one of Brooklyn Magazine's Top 50 Most Fascinating People. She creates comedic, playful, and poetic works under her creative studio Quail Bell Press & Productions. Watch her films, videos, photo slideshows, and live performances on YouTube @stoddardsays. Currently, she is the curator-in-residence at AnkhLave Arts Alliance and an incoming MS Documentary Film candidate at Columbia University.

__________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE: Analog Zine Making

DATE: May, 29th, 2024

TIME: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM EDT

LOCATION:
Trans-Pecos
9-15 Wyckoff Ave, Queens, NY, 11385

LED BY FRANKI FARB (@spicy.brusselsprout)

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
Join us for this IN-PERSON workshop to mingle and get the run down on making your very own zine by hand.
Franki Frab will give a rundown on what a zine is, the history of zines, and how to create a zine by hand or with the help of a free computer program called Electric Zine Maker!

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Laptop (optional) ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Franki Farb is a visual artist and community organizer based in Brooklyn. Their artistic expression serves as a public diary, reflecting on their current curiosities and experiences. By delving into their inner child and tapping into raw emotions, Franki employs various mediums such as photography, videography, collage, sewing, printmaking, and zine making to show these concepts.

A significant motivation behind Franki's artistic endeavors is to let others know they are not alone. Showcasing vulnerability, rawness, play and openness in their work, they inspire those around them to do the same. They believe art has the remarkable ability to unveil the depths of one's soul, and forge connections beyond the confines of language.

__________________________
Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

TITLE: Grant Writing 101

DATE: May, 22, 2024

TIME: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM EDT

LOCATION: Digital (Zoom)

LED BY MORÉNA ESPIRITUAL (@morenaespiritual)

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
In order to succeed as a creative in this capitalist world, you must become financially literate and learn how to effectively pitch your ideas to sponsors and funders. This workshop is for anyone seeking to gain their footing with writing grants. The class covers the steps and resources I've discovered when writing and successfully obtaining grants for myself and others over the past few years, including where to seek them, how to write them, and how to create a budget.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: none! ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Moréna Espiritual is an afro indigenous musician, performance artist, and director based on the island of Borikén ☆⋆₊°༺❦︎༻°₊⋆ He trained at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and is well-known throughout the world, having worked throughout Europe, North America, South America, and the Caribbean. He is a laureate of the 2022 NALAC Artist Grant Award and has received recognition from platforms like The Atlantic, Harvard Radio, The British Institute of Film, IMER Mexico, and NYU amongst many others. The Caribbean's physical nature, political climates, and spiritual contexts are major pillars in his work, and he uses elements like surrealism and time travel to challenge colonial ways of understanding identity, visuals, and sound.


Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

TITLE: Modeling AI Voices for Shy Songwriters

DATE: May, 15, 2024

TIME: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT

LOCATION: Digital (Zoom)

LED BY POUCH ENVY (@pouch.envy)
https://pouch-envy.com

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
This `AI for musicians` crash course will cover >>>
★ How to use AI voices created by others (think pinkpantheress, bad bunny, drake++)
★ The concept of building your own unique voices using audio theory an examples of previous work
★ How to "remix" any song using AI
★ Why it matters!

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Laptop and good internet connection ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
POUCH ENVY is a Brooklyn-based music producer and alter ego known for AI remixes and edits. They draw influences from 90s Jungle, UK garage, Jersey Club, and their eerie personal dreamscape.

Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

TITLE: Coding Your Cosmos - A writing workshop

DATE: May, 08, 2024

TIME: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT

LOCATION: Digital (Zoom)

LED BY SHERESE FRANCIS (@afutureancient)
Linktr.ee/sheresefrancis

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
Taking inspiration from Canisia Lubrin's latest work, Code Noir, "what does it mean to speak as if the world you know is the world?" How do our languages code the spaces and environments in which we live and shape the conceptions of ourselves?

This is an experimental and speculative poetics writing workshop in which we will explore decoding and recoding our realities. In this workshop, participants will discuss and respond to the original and various current meanings of code and cosmos. Then, we will read, discuss and respond to prompts inspired by works from Canisia Lubrin, Harryette Mullen, Destiny Hemphill, Chaun Webster, Jessica Lanay, Sasha Banks, Chloë Bass, M. NourbeSe Philip, and Robin Wall Kimmerer, in order to think further about the relationship between communications, language, embodiment, social/cultural meaning and coding.

The purpose of this workshop is to become "pro-grammars," creating alternative functions and logics within our communication systems, immersed in verb-centered, movement-oriented, community-oriented, and intertextual, polyphonic meaning.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Any writing instrument (pen, paper, laptop, etc.) ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Sherese Francis (she/they) describes themselves as an AlkyMist of the I-Magination, finding expression through poetry, interdisciplinary arts (collage, book and paper arts, sound and performance art, text art), workshop facilitation, editing, and literary curation. Her(e) work takes inspiration from her(e) Afro-Caribbean heritage (Barbados and Dominica), and studies in Afrofuturism and Black Speculative Arts, mythology and etymology. Some of their work has been published in Furious Flower, Obsidian, Rootwork Journal, The Caribbean Writer, The Operating System, Cosmonauts Avenue, No Dear, Apex Magazine, Bone Bouquet, African Voices, Newtown Literary, and Free Verse. Additionally, Sherese has published four chapbooks, Lucy’s Bone Scrolls (Three Legged Elephant, 2017), Variations on Sett/ling Seed/ling (Harlequin Creature, 2018), Recycling a Why That Rules Over My Sacred Sight (DoubleCross Press, 2021) and Lady Liberty Smashing Stones (THRASH Press, 2022). Sherese has received grant awards from Queens Council on the Arts, NYFA and NYSCA ,and residencies from WorksonWater, LMCC, Akademie Schloss Solitude and SeaSalted Honey in Senegal. Besides publications, Sherese has had her(e) work featured in various exhibitions and showcases from NY Live Arts, Queens Public Library, York College Arts Gallery, King Manor Museum, WorksOnWater, Flushing Town Hall, Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, Jamaica Flux, Bliss On Bliss, Maleza Proyectos, The Rubenstein Art Center, Ely Center for Contemporary Art and The Loomis Chafee Mercy Gallery.


Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org

TITLE : Creating Art Publications & Zines in Adobe InDesign

DATE: May 1, 2024

TIME: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT

LOCATION: In-Person! Hosted at Plexus Projects, 198 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

LED BY LAURA SPLAN (@laurasplan)
https://www.laurasplan.com

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
Multimedia artist Laura Splan will lead this hands-on workshop in using Adobe InDesign for creating artist publications including zines, catalogs, books. Participants will explore the core features including creating documents, working with graphics and color, creating and styling text, and exporting for print and screen.

☆ REQUIREMENTS: Bring your own laptop with any version of Adobe InDesign already installed ☆

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Laura Splan is a New York City based artist and educator working at the intersections of Science, Technology, and Culture. Her research-based studio practice culminates in multimedia exhibitions that reframe artifacts of the posthuman landscape to unravel entanglements of natural and built systems. She is the founder of Plexus Projects, an artist-run space for intersectional ideas where she curates “Earmark”, a collection of artist publications. Her zines were featured in “Copy Machine Manifestos: Artists Who Make Zines” at the Brooklyn Museum in the "Queer & Feminist Undergrounds" exhibition. Splan has held academic appointments at Stanford Universit. Her public workshops have been hosted by the Fredrickson Family Innovation Lab, Tang Teaching Museum, and Coalesce Center for Biological Arts. Splan was a Digital Arts Fellow supported by the National Endowment for the Arts at AS220 Industries, where she taught creative coding and physical computing workshops. Splan was a mentor at NEW INC, the New Museum’s cultural incubator, and she has been a studio practice advisor and creative technology consultant for independent artists and students at San Francisco Art Institute, California College of Art, Arts Council England, and at Plexus Projects.

REGISTER HERE

Our programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


ABOUT POWRPLNT:
Founded in 2014, POWRPLNT works with emerging creators and activists to make space, create, and share knowledge with creative minds of all ages. We believe that access to technology is a right, not a privilege, and the digital divide is a social justice issue. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.powrplnt.org/mission-and-press

Do you share our vision? Click the link to support: https://www.powrplnt.org/support

SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Consider becoming a monthly member with a gift of $5 or more each month. You’ll stand with POWRPLNT throughout the challenging days ahead and make an even bigger impact for all our community.

If you work for an organization, please consider asking them to match your gift. If you have any questions about how to be involved with POWRPLNT, please contact hello@powrplnt.org