Story Project
Are you ready to uncover a co-op mystery?
The United Nations has declared 2012 The Year of Co-operatives and to help celebrate, BCCA and The YES are looking for young people full of curiosity, passion, creativity and detective skills. You’ll uncover amazing stories, interview suspects, work together and share what you learn. Your sleuthing skills will be used to reveal hidden co-op stories.
British Columbia has a rich and fascinating co-operative history and most people don’t know anything about it. But with The Co-operative Youth Story Project and a little sleuthing you can change that.
Did you know that VanCity started because people living east of Main Street in Vancouver couldn’t get mortgages? Did you know that there were at one time 14 apple-growing co-operatives in the Okanagan? Or that in 1928 the Prince Rupert Fisherman’s Co-op worked shoulder to shoulder with Japanese fishers to stop their exploitation? BC’s co-op history is fascinating, inspiring and radical and you can help uncover it. But like any good detective you probably have a few questions…
Who?
Young people aged 13-25. You can live anywhere in BC and you don’t need to be a member of a co-op – you just need to be curious about how co-ops past and present have contributed to your community.
What?
There are 3 parts to this project.
1) Register and sniff out your story!
Find a group and register online by March 23, 2012. As a group, decide what co-op story you want to investigate… but don’t worry if you’re having trouble finding one or choosing between all the awesome co-ops out there. You can always call the co-ordinator and get help. And if you’re having problems finding a group the co-ordinator can help you with that too.
2) Come to the Arts Retreat Weekend!
With your group find out as much as you can about your chosen co-op. Talk to members, employees, and founders. Head to the library and look into your community’s archives. Get ready for the Arts Retreat Weekend April 20 -22, 2012 where you’ll meet with other groups of young people doing projects like yours all over the province. At the retreat, artists from a variety of disciplines will help you take your story and transform it into a painting, a play, a piece of poetry, or some other form of art.
3) Get ready for the 2012 Co-operative Youth Art Show!
Go home and finish your art piece with the new skills learned at the Arts Retreat. You’ll also have learned about recording and interviewing techniques so you can get your co-op story on record. These stories will be archived at The University of Victoria and some will be broadcast on the radio. With the hard work done it’s time for the celebrations! The Co-operative Youth Art Show will tour Nanaimo, Nelson and Vancouver in the Fall of 2012. So everyone will get to see your art, hear your co-op story, and celebrate the International Year of Co-operatives.
Why?
There are so many reasons to sign up for The Co-operative Youth Story Project but if you need a few more:
- It’s free! That’s right… this awesome project is being offered at no cost. Your costs for the arts weekend, supplies for your project, training and more are being supported by BC’s co-ops and credit unions who want to help you celebrate the International Year of Co-ops.
- You’ll get to find out and uncover a fascinating part of your community’s history.
- Your group’s art piece will tour in a show and get all the media coverage and prestige your work deserves.
- You’ll get to meet youth from all over the province and work with talented artists.
- YOU COULD WIN MONEY! As if all this wasn’t enough there will be a draw for scholarships and you could win $1000 to put towards your education.
How?
Register today. Make sure you register before March 23 so that you can guarantee your spot. You will need a group, a co-op, and a story but if you need help or have questions contact:
Sarah Hyde
Co-operative Youth Stories Project Manager
T: 604 662 3906
F: 604 662 3968
sarah_hyde@bcca.coop
