New Krma Media will pilot Cultural Innovators, a 5 week artist-led program serving system-impacted youth in Alameda County, presented in collaboration with SoleSpace Lab. The program centers storytelling, visual art, and sustainable design as core artistic practices. Participants will create original narrative and design works, including customized footwear and storytelling pieces, through structured workshops led by teaching artists with lived experience.

CAC grant funds will support artist and facilitator fees, curriculum development, participant materials, and guest artist honoraria, as well as a culminating public showcase where participants present their work. The project harnesses the dynamism of sneaker culture to expand access to culturally grounded arts programming while strengthening participants’ creative skills, communication, and collaboration through hands-on artistic practice.