FIRE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL ARTS COLLABORATIVE
Fire exists as a brave space – inspiring truth and freedom – where creativity nurtures youth to express, heal, and connect with self and others.
We value radical authenticity and modeling a space where people can be themselves without judgement or shame. We believe art and justice movements are essential to each other’s vision of a more free world. We value artists and justice workers, through compensation, trust, exposure, space, empowerment and community. We believe creating art can be a personal act of liberation, and when done collectively can transform communities.
We believe that young people can create and lead the way to a more free world. We value young people as competent leaders and part of the decision making body at Fire. We believe that it is important for youth to see themselves as part of a larger world within and beyond Kalamazoo. We believe in youth and adult partnerships at all levels; We value intergenerational and intersectional creative spaces to grow empathy and emotional capacity.
We believe in liberation from all forms of oppression. People from marginalized identities belong at Fire because their creativity and skills are seen, amplified and encouraged to grow through risk-taking. We are committed to centering youth who are queer, trans*, people of color, survivors of criminalization, racially profiled and marginalized by discriminatory public policies.