Curriculum
Mixplace is a moving conversation where different forms of knowledge are exchanged between individuals and across institutions. The conversation begins with an intensive six-week summer curriculum that engages youth researchers in the construction of narratives, expands through the fall and spring curriculum to include design students in the construction and sharing of tools, and culminates with an exhibition, at which point the cycle begins again. Throughout, a diverse floating faculty of community organizers, designers, researchers, and other professionals contribute to this conversation.
- The summer phase, guided by People's Emergency Center (PEC), draws upon the disciplines of community and economic development. Youth researchers gather the knowledge embedded in their neighborhood and translate this knowledge into neighborhood narratives.
- The fall phase, guided by PennDesign, draws upon the disciplines of design and city planning. Design students engage in dialogue with youth researchers, and collaboratively translate these narratives into tools such as new visualizations and modes of representation.
- The spring phase, guided by Slought, draws upon the disciplines of public culture and the humanities. Curators engage in dialogue with youth researchers and design students, and compile an archive of narratives and tools to mobilize and share with collaborators, partner institutions, and the general public.
The timeframe for these three phases is a single year. At the end of each phase, a public celebration and conferring of certificates by the respective institution takes place.