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Description a space for exploration and creative expression. Prism welcomes young <br />people from all backgrounds, with a focus on those who currently lack <br />representation in the design professions. Our young creatives are <br />equipped with the tools needed to shape their built environment through <br />architecture, art, and community action. <br />The mission of Prism Design Lab is to inspire youth to imagine the beauty <br />they want to see in the world and to provide a platform to project their <br />vision and voice to the broader community. To achieve this mission Prism <br />Design Lab provides under-resourced, young women and people of color, <br />between ages 6-19 who reside in Orange and Durham counties, NC, with <br />high-quality art and architecture instruction, and meaningful design <br />experiences. <br />As an emerging non-profit organization, Prism is operated by a volunteer <br />Board of Directors (BOD), which reflects our commitment to diversity at the <br />leadership level. The BOD consists of seven members, six of whom are <br />women and four of whom are African American. Four of the members of the <br />BOD identify as LGBQTIA. Prism’s Executive Director, who is a woman, <br />has held a volunteer position and will receive a stipend beginning in July, <br />2024. <br />Though Prism is primarily a volunteer-based organization, we contract with <br />professionals to facilitate our programming with youth. All design <br />professionals that Prism partners with are BIPOC and/or women. Prism <br />takes pride in paying our artists, architects, and facilitators a wage that is <br />3-5 times the living wage in NC. Prism has been awarded (3) consecutive <br />12-month-long fellowships from AmeriCorp VISTA, which commenced in <br />June 2024. <br />Current Arts Programs and Services: <br />- Durham Youth Design W orkshop Series <br />- 'W hat is Architecture?' W orkshops at CHCCS Middle and Elementary <br />Schools <br />- Design Presentation & Activity at Northside Elementary Black History <br />Month Exhibition <br />- Cardboard City W orkshop at Northside Elementary STEAM Night <br />- "W hat Is Architecture?" One Book, One School Initiative <br />Upcoming Programs (2024-2025): <br />- "W hat is Architecture?" W orkshops at seven Orange County Schools <br />- Builders Gateway Design W orkshop Series in partnership with the Marian <br />Cheek Jackson Center <br />- Performances by Tarish “Jeghetto” Pipkins at CHCCS Middle Schools <br />- 2024-’25 Durham Youth Design W orkshop Series <br />Impact and Demographics <br />2023: <br />Engaged 1,086 participants <br />64% BIPOC participants; 52% qualified for free or reduced lunch. <br />2024 (as of June 1): <br />Engaged 1,030 participants <br />Docusign Envelope ID: 5641B9CB-273D-4785-AA6D-57F778AAA9EF