Youth Artivism: Exploring an International Magazine at the Frontiers of Art and Activism
by Sena Chang
Category: Community project
Abstract – The issues regarding youth empowerment have risen to international pertinence as youth voter turnout rates and civic engagement reach an all-time low worldwide. This paper first examines possible solutions to low civic engagement across the globe by reviewing the literature concerning this topic, then closely documents the development of a youth-led initiative to empower youth through creative expression. The paper subsequently discusses this project's outcomes and proposes a solution that combats the issues at the core of this issue. This project and the initiative's internal structure were modeled off of other literary magazines that work towards amplifying the voices of youth worldwide. Results imply that humanities-based efforts to drive civic engagement and empower youth voices may instill a sense of importance amongst the youth, as extrapolated through qualitative research methods. Efforts to expand and replicate this project are ongoing, as evidenced by the addition of the magazine's blog and collaborations with other literary magazines. This study contributes to understanding the constructs and solutions linked to youth empowerment and high civic engagement.