CPW is in its second year of a partnership with the Kingston-based nonprofit Place Corps, called the Place Corps Kingston Fellowship. This program aims to empower young individuals who are exploring alternative paths after high school graduation. As in 2023/24, this collaborative initiative in Visual Storytelling and Media is led by esteemed photography educator Lesly Deschler Canossi. Place Corps’ robust, nine-month, gap-year program offers ten fellowships to young people ages 18 – 21.
In alignment with Place Corps’ comprehensive three-part curriculum “Know, Love, Serve,” Fellows will gain tools and techniques for storytelling in various media, primarily visual. Students work with Deschler Canossi to learn how to apply these skills to their own projects and communities, fostering personal and creative growth. CPW’s facilities serve as a creative hub for the Fellows, providing access to a dedicated classroom, studio space, and state-of-the-art digital media lab.
Additionally, Fellows have the unique opportunity to interact with visiting artists at CPW, to further enrich their learning experience. CPW is one of eight curriculum partners collaborating with Place Corps to create an integrative learning year for these ten young Fellows, who undertake other residencies over the course of their fellowships.
Note: This year, Place Corps is developing a community mentorship program that will run parallel to its Kingston fellowship. If you feel inspired to make a lasting impact in a young person’s life, reach out to Place Corps Executive Director Dawn Breeze to learn more: email dawn@placecorps.org with the subject line: Mentorship Inquiry.
