Urban Youth Worx (UYW) has evolved since 1998 into an organization that values the creative process as a powerful tool in community development. Inspired by a 1997 lecture from Milenko Matakovic and the Pomegranate Institute, 2 Calgary youth probation officers decided to initiate a program for youth to work off their community service hours in a meaningful way. This led to an art-based community project (YOMAMCO) and open studio in the greater Forest Lawn area that would make up the earliest stages of what is today Urban Youth Worx.
In 2000, the name East Calgary Youth Art Projects (ECYAP) was adopted. In 2003, the open studio was closed and the mobile art concept was introduced in an effort to reduce barriers for youth and increase the community development focus. Over time, and in response to community needs, UYW began to focus not only on bringing art to youth, but engaging communities in a creative process to solve local issues. The Green Box Project of 2003/4 symbolized a significant shift towards grassroots, process-based community development using a creative process.
As it has developed, UYW has been informed by various disciplines and research. Some of the theoretical underpinnings of UYW include: Youth Development through Developmental Assets, Resiliency, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), and tangibility.
In 2005, the name Urban Youth Worx was adopted to better reflect the broader scope of our mandate. Over 30 projects have been completed throughout the city of Calgary. These projects are varied in scope, and range from murals to mosaics to videos to mask-making. One thing they do all have in common, is the vision of growing healthy, engaged and vibrant communities through a creative process. Urban Youth Worx engages with communities who have an issue/ situation they would like to resolve, and our main role is facilitating community development and connection through a creative process, usually involving 5 stages (see the community development process for more information).