On August 5, DEYA produced a youth stage at the Concert of Colors; the first ever in the Concert’s 29-year history. The DEYA Youth Stage took place outdoors at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Sosnick court. Performances included featured poetry from InsideOut Literary Arts Project’s Citywide Poets, youth drummers and dancers of Heritage Works performing in the West African tradition, the teen Mosaic Singers from Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, a youth string quartet from the DSO’s Civic Youth Ensembles, as well as the winners of the first-ever DEYA Launch Awards for solo performance.
The Concert of Colors DEYA Youth Stage was generously funded by the Skillman Foundation, with additional support from the Children’s Foundation, the DSO and the Motown Museum.
“It was incredible seeing Detroit’s talented young people take center stage at the Concert of Colors,” said Rick Sperling, founder of DEYA. “It exemplified everything we are trying to do at DEYA — showcasing Detroit phenomenal youth arts organizations and young artists, while supporting their development and growth. All performers were paid, making it the first professional performance of their careers. These young artists are tremendous ambassadors for Detroit and the power of youth arts.”
DEYA, a Children’s Foundation Initiative, is a citywide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative focused on breaking down the barriers preventing Detroit youth from benefiting from the many award-winning youth arts programs in Detroit. DEYA is also focused on providing resources to develop a sustainable Detroit youth arts ecosystem made up of funders, arts organizations, schools, health providers and creative youth development organizations.
To learn more about DEYA, click here.
