Classes
Using Hip Hop as a Guide to City Planning
Ages 18 and up
April 2–23, 2025
6–8pm, Wednesdays
Credit: Park jam in the Bronx (3rd Ave + 144th St), 1970, Henry Chalfant
Instructor
Ivi Lewis
Pricing
$250 (tuition assistance available)
Dates
2 April - 23 April
Since Hip Hop’s inception, its artists have crafted vivid depictions of life in urban communities through music. Using Hip Hop as a Guide to City Planning will take a deep dive into the history of urban planning and how it influenced the creation of one of the most impactful cultures of all time. Learners will analyze hip hop lyrical content, review case studies on music genre influence on social movements, and chat with guest speakers/artists on methods they've taken to implement change in their communities.
This course will be held in person at the Abrons Arts Center. All courses will gather on Wednesday April 30 for a culminating share out.
For a longer course description, please visit The School of Making Thinking’s page.
About Ivi Lewis
Ivi Lewis is an activist, educator, and creative born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Since her youth, she’s always dedicated her free time to contributing to her community. That habit carried over in her years of living in New York City. Today, you can find her packing bags in your local food pantry, conducting a read-aloud with kindergarteners, or advocating for residents as a Board Member in Brooklyn Community Board 16. As a recent Hunter College MUP graduate, she has gained extensive experience in urban planning, community development, facilitation, and research. She looks forward to using her passion for community development and expertise in planning to be an asset to communities across the five boroughs.
Partnership
Using Hip Hop As a Guide to City Planning is curated in partnership with The School of Making Thinking.
This program is supported through a Cultural Development Fund grant awarded to The School of Making Thinking from the New York Department of Cultural Affairs.
Tuition Assistance
Abrons offers tuition assistance to any student whose household makes under $50,000 annually. Through our NYCHA Arts Initiative, classes are FREE for all NYCHA residents living in zip codes 10002, 10003, 10009, and 10038.
For courses offered in partnership with the School of Making Thinking, we also offer a sliding scale for people of color, trans people, and/or disabled people.