Youth Empowerment Through Arts and Humanities

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P.O. Box 160964 Nashville, TN 37216

EIN Number: 77-0662610

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contact information

Phone: 917-922-2894

Hours: No Set Business Hours - Call to Inquire

Website: https://yeahrocks.org/

Email: director@yeahrocks.org

NTEE Code: A99: Arts Culture & Humanities N.E.C.

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MISSION - WHAT WE DO

MISSION YEAH! amplifies the voices of youths from all communities through music education and exploration. VALUES YEAH! fosters inclusive spaces through collaboration, not competition, to develop creativity, leadership, and community for youths of all identities and backgrounds, especially those who tend to be marginalized. PURPOSE To provide: - Music and arts education - Abilities to develop self-expression and welcome others - Supportive environment to advance communication, expression, and character development - Teaching artists as positive role models with opportunities to pursue musical goals and inspire the next generation - Encouragement to become contributing members of society - Access to a range of cultures, tools, and life skills - Opportunities to experience live music and the arts

VISION - GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS

OVERVIEW YEAH! is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable youth arts organization in Nashville, Tennessee, founded to empower students ages 6-17 through music. YEAH! prioritizes expanded diversity among its students, teachers, volunteers, staff, and its board. YEAH! reaches out to underrepresented populations, such as our non-English speaking, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse, and title 1 public school communities in Middle Tennessee. We encourage their participation in our organization and programs, making YEAH! reflective of the community’s strength. YEAH! does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, color, religion, gender expression, national origin, physical, emotional, cognitive, or social needs, or any other classification protected by federal, statutory, and Tennessee constitutional laws. Our summer camp, weekend, and public school programs support social responsibility and self-esteem. Participants gain proficiency on an instrument (bass, drums, guitar, keyboard, ukulele, or vocals); work together as a band; compose music; attend workshops; attend live performances; and showcase their work at the end of programs. More broadly, participants take risks and create art representative of their similarities and uniqueness. Band collaborations develop entrepreneurial and life skills that lead to future success in all fields. YEAH!’s lending library provides personal instruments, and our scholarship program removes financial barriers for applicants. HISTORY YEAH! traces its roots to 2003, when Middle Tennessee State University student Kelley Anderson organized the first Southern Girls Rock Camp – the world’s second females-only rock camp ever. It was a joint project of the Women for Women student organization and the June Anderson Women’s Center. Inspired by her experience volunteering at a girls’ rock camp in Portland, Oregon, Anderson envisioned a more egalitarian music community in Tennessee. YEAH! was founded in 2006 by Anderson, Anna Fitzgerald, Courtney Vickers, Andrew Jacks, Ryan York, and Nicole Tekulve. YEAH! enables self-expression for youths from all communities through yearlong programming. YEAH! connects participants who have limited access to the arts, and provides fair wages for local teaching artists. The organization’s scholarship fund is available to all applicants, regardless of economic background or status.

SERVICES - HOW WE DO IT

PROGRAMMING YEAH! builds on partnerships with government and community organizations to support our young people. We strive to engage 250 youths annually in instrument instruction and related disciplines that represent and supply music creators, with workshops and panels on arts advocacy, songwriting, zine making, synthesizers, light, sound, recording, podcasting, and branding. All programs increase the appreciation of music and its historical impact on positive social change. YEAH! emphasizes the joy and value in expression and collaboration through the following programs: YEAH! Rocks - A one-week summer day camp for youths age six to 17. Previous camps include Southern Girls Rock Camp, Tennessee Teens Rock Camp, and Ready2Rock Camp. Community Music Workshop - A condensed three-day-weekend rock camp for adults who seek to develop musical interests and community. Rock Block – An abbreviated 10-week camp offering two-hour sessions on Saturday afternoons for participants age 11 - 17. Rock Block MNPS - A 10-week after-school enrichment program meeting twice weekly at a title 1 Metro Nashville public middle or high school. Workshops – For participants age 11-17, including arts and activism, technology, songwriting, and artist development. Virtual programming is under development for these and others. Scholarships - available for all applicants to increase accessibility to music education. WAYS TO SUPPORT YEAH! - Register, teach and volunteer in our programs - Donate to support our scholarship fund and living-wage compensation for teaching artists - Volunteer at our community events - Become a board member - Spread the word about our impact!

Causes

Services Offered

  • After School Programs
  • Art Education
  • Camps
  • Cultural Awareness
  • Music & Performing Arts Programs
  • Visual Arts Programs
  • Writing Workshops

Populations Served

  • Adults
  • Artists & Performers
  • At-Risk Youth
  • Children & Youth
  • Economically Disadvantaged People
  • Heterosexuals
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Individuals Under 21
  • LGBTQ+ People
  • Multiracial People
  • People of African Descent
  • People of Asian Descent
  • People of European Descent
  • People of Latin American Descent
  • People of Middle Eastern Descent
  • People of all Racial Minority Groups

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