About

Form and Function

Mission

 

Form and Function focuses on underpriviledged youth in grades 6-12, giving them exposure to creative arts that are not available in public schools.  We enable them to express themselves and tell their stories using the latest technology. 

 

Form and Function also promotes those who use their voice to encourage involvement in the search for resolutions to social and environmental issues, and creates a platform for emerging non-profits, aiding with capacity building.

Everyone should have the chance to find a way to freely express themselves.

Our fiscal sponsoring agent is the 501(c)(3) non-profit Allied Cultures Against Discrimination.  Together, we endeavor to make creative arts accessible to everyone, regardless of their race or socio-economic status.

You can send your tax deductible donation online. Please add note “Form and Function”.

 

——————————–

Many people know that if you’re born rich, it helps you succeed in creative fields.  It helps if your family members have connections, pr you can afford a publicist.  There are many non-profits that foster talent in those who do not have certain advantages and resources with which to express themselves.  An expressive society is a more peaceful society.

 

It takes money to enter film festivals, make demos, etc..  Beneficiaries of arts non-profits do not have money when they are worrying about putting food on the table.  Many do not have their own computers or means with which to fill out applications vying for spots at known film and music festivals.  What they do have is drive.  Form and Function will help put ground level talent in front of those looking for something fresh, not pre-fabricated, through the use of technological advances in communications and creative delivery modes.

 

 

We will also encourage those who are already helping to steer the future in positive manners through artistic expression, and those who want to do so.

We endeavor to have a fund to gift money to those who will use it to create art that encourages others to get involved with social issues that affect us all.

 

by NAS

 “I Can”

Be, B-Boys and girls, listen up
You can be anything in the world, in God we trust
An architect, doctor, maybe an actress
But nothing comes easy it takes much practice
Like, I met a woman who’s becoming a star
She was very beautiful, leaving people in awe
Singing songs, Lina Horn, but the younger version
Hung with the wrong person
Gotta astrung when I heard when
Cocaine, sniffing up drugs, all in her nose
Coulda died, so young, no looks ugly and old
No fun cause when she reaches for hugs people hold they breath
Cause she smells of corrosion and death
Watch the company you keep and the crowd you bring
Cause they came to do drugs and you came to sing
So if you gonna be the best, I’ma tell you how

 

Be, B-Boys and girls, listen again
This is for grown looking girls who’s only ten
The ones who watch videos and do what they see
As cute as can be, up in the club with fake ID
Careful, ‘fore you meet a man with HIV
You can host the TV like Oprah Winfrey
Whatever you decide, be careful, some men be
Rapists, so act your age, don’t pretend to be
Older than you are, give yourself time to grow
You thinking he can give you wealth, but so
Young boys, you can use a lot of help, you know
You thinkin life’s all about smokin weed and ice
You don’t wanna be my age and can’t read and right
Begging different women for a place to sleep at night
Smart boys turn to men and do whatever they wish
If you believe you can achieve, then say it like this

 

Be, be, ‘fore we came to this country
We were kings and queens, never porch monkeys
It was empires in Africa called Kush
Timbuktu, where every race came to get books
To learn from black teachers who taught Greeks and Romans
Asian Arabs and gave them gold when
Gold was converted to money it all changed
Money then became empowerment for Europeans
The Persian military invaded
They learned about the gold, the teachings and everything sacred
Africa was almost robbed naked
Slavery was money, so they began making slave ships
Egypt was the place that Alexander the Great went
He was so shocked at the mountains with black faces
Shot up they nose to impose what basically
Still goes on today, you see?
If the truth is told, the youth can grow
They learn to survive until they gain control
Nobody says you have to be gangstas, hoes
Read more learn more, change the globe
Ghetto children, do your thing
Hold your head up, little man, you’re a king
Young Prince thats when you get your wedding ring
Your man is saying “She’s my queen”

A portion of the ticket sales of the festival will go to establishing The Form and Function Foundation.