People’s L.E.S. Curriculum

Critical Pedagogy, Artists, and the Public Sphere, Fall 2018

In collaboration with our community-based partner Fourth Arts Block (FAB), NYU Art+Education graduate students in the Critical Pedagogy, Artists and the Public Sphere class participated in a semester-long fieldwork project to create a collection of curricula for the People’s Lower East Side website. Inspired by FAB’s mission to strengthen the cultural vitality of the Lower East Side we identified four themes to explore through creative and critical engagement and artistic inquiry: 1) Gardens, Parks and Public Spaces; 2) Immigrant Communities, Language Access and Sanctuary; 3) Urban Planning, Architecture and Preservation; and 4) Housing Affordability and Displacement. Each curriculum was designed to engage LES residents, students and teachers, families and other stakeholders and researchers with relevant historical knowledge, opportunities for personal and collaborative reflection,  and an exploration of current, lived realities of the Lower East Side from diverse perspectives. Students drew from class discussions about critical pedagogy tenets, relevant artist projects and educational examples to inspire others to see and re-see the Lower East Side through these themes. Each curriculum includes a range of discussion prompts to promote critical thinking, creative activities that suggest extensions to action, related resources, and opportunities to learn through different modalities/senses and reimagine a LES that is inclusive and responsive to diverse community perspectives.  

Gardens, Parks And Public Spaces >> “Rooted” In The Lower East Side

Created by Alex Mangus, Juan Pablo Sarmiento, Jennifer Smyczynski, and Jonathan Barry Wolf at the Art, Education, and Community Practice Program at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

“The Lower East Side (LES) in New York City has a rich history and is home to unique public spaces and community gardens. This guide offers various ideas and resources for teaching and learning about social activism in community gardens in the LES as well as suggestions for how to implement these lessons. Whether you are a teacher, a student, a community member, or just curious, there is something in here for you.”

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Immigrant Communities, Language Access & Sanctuary >> Lower East Side: History & Diversity

Created by Prinita Thevarajah, Belen Contreras, Naisha Solomon, Constanza Valenzuela, Sarah Young Eun Sin, Jordyn Smith, and Tong Wang

Urban Planning, Architecture, And Preservation >> What Makes A Place Special?