In School

1 classroom/1 grade or across grade levels and multiple classrooms.

Standard Based Arts instruction (25 hours)

Writing & performance techniques taught in one classroom or across multiple grade levels/classrooms within one school implementing scope & sequence state standards from OAE's Guide for Teaching and Learning in the Arts.

Slam Team Cohorts (15 hours)

Intensive writing/theater pull out for slam team or students with higher interest in Slam team participation utilizing Guide for Teaching and Learning in the Arts. Theater focused.

Student Leadership (15 hours)

Teen poets/coaches, KL teaching Artists & student /Teacher field trips to participate in performance exhibitions, writing conferences, service projects, and citywide festivals.

Slam team participation in culminating citywide poetry slam& all day youth expo. The entire school community can participates in the day through attending the expo workshops (must register at CYIC) or as an audience member. This supports a continuum of arts learning and provides equitable access for all students.

After School

One group of no more than 20 students, 10-15 preferred

Standard Based Arts instruction & poetry cohort (40 hours)

Writing & performance techniques taught to one group of students( max 20). implementing scope & sequence state standards from OAE’s Guide for Teaching and Learning in the Arts-theater focused.

Student Leadership (15 hours)

Teen poets/coaches, KL teaching Artists & student /teacher field trips to participate in performance exhibitions, writing conferences, service projects, and citywide festivals.

Equitable Access (5 hours)

Slam team participation in culminating citywide poetry slam& all day youth expo. The entire school community can participates in the day through attending the expo workshops (must register at CYIC) or as an audience member. This supports a continuum of arts learning and provides equitable access for all students.

A Hip-Hop Social & Eco Empowerment Initiative

Kuumba Lynx has developed seven ongoing projects that will emphasize sustainable development, eco literacy, and community empowerment. Click here to read about our strategy.

The SO FRESH & SO GREEN strategy includes integrated arts and social/eco-education programs that seek to inspire young people and their families to establish a needed voice in Chicago’s “green movement.”  This initiative emphasizes social equity, urban green literacy and capturing the spirit and appreciation for life and the Earth.

Life is Living

In Partnership with The Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Fest and Youth Speak INC., each July, an all day eco & social justice arts fest will be presented.

Greening of Clarendon Park

Kuumba Lynx in association with The Clarendon Park Advisory Council, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and local supporters are working towards the greening & sustainability of Clarendon Park’s proposed Performing Arts Facility.

Kuumba Lynx Performance Ensemble (KLPE) presents “SPROUT”

(Spitting Powerful Rhymes Organically Unleashing Truth)

Thursday March 25th 10:30am & Friday March 26th 7pm
Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson, Novar Theatre rm. 3426
An eco - conscious Hip-Hop Theater and CD production

FootworKINGz “Take Flight” DVD Release Celebration

Stop The Violence and "Take Flight”!   The first DVD bringing Chicago's footwork dance and music culture to the world! FootworKINGz (FWK) is the professional touring dance company of Kuumba Lynx.  Established in 2007 by KL Co-Founder Leida "Lady Sol" Villegas, FWK is dedicated to presenting, teaching, and preserving Chicago's style of "footwork." This fast and furious, lower-body form emerged out of the city's underground House music culture in the late 80's.  Since their inception, FWK members have appeared alongside Ellen Degeneres, Missy Elliott, and on Madonna's "Sticky & Sweet" World Tour 08-09. To book a show:  footworkingz@gmail.com www.footworkingz.com

Open Mindz: A Community Effort to End Chicago Youth Violence

October 30th, November 13th, December 4th 4pm-10pm

In partnership with Alternative's Connect Force, Multi-Cultural Youth Project, and Kuumba Lynx, these Hip Hop events aim to humanize our youth, embrace our stories, and take back our blocks!

Arts Explosion

December 11th 6pm-9pm
Clarendon Park, 4501 N. Clarendon

An evening of interactive Hip Hop games, art exhibitions and live performances presented by KL citywide program participants

Half Pint Poetics

May 20th @ Truman College 1145 W. Wilson Ave, 9am-3pm

In partnership with City Colleges,  The University of Illinois at Chicago, CPS Office of Arts Education, and Chicago Youth Initiating Change, Kuumba Lynx will present HPP, an annual social & environmental justice poetry slam for youth ages 8 to 14.