UCLA will launch a photographic exhibition with an RSVP-only opening reception on Monday, Jan. 22, in Kerckhoff Grand Salon.
“Fostering Photovoice (2023)” is a group exhibition of photographs reflecting the lives and experiences of former foster youth and their views on how involvement in the child welfare system impacted them. The exhibition will be on display Jan. 22-26 in Kerckhoff Art Gallery on the UCLA campus.
The project was conceived by a Photovoice Collective that included the six featured artists — all former foster youth between the ages of 18 and 25 residing in Los Angeles County. The collective also involves several UCLA undergraduate and graduate students with expertise in photography and using the arts-based empowerment method called Photovoice in relation to social policy and research, as well as lived expertise from foster care involvement.
The collective came together over seven weeks in summer 2023. The project began by developing questions to guide the artists’ self-exploration, including:
- How did involvement in the child welfare system change you and your family connections?
- What changes to the system would you like to see as a result of your experience?
The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on what they believe about foster youth and the foster care system, including any biases they may have. The gallery showing encourages attendees to consider how best to support these young people who enter state care through no fault of their own — both as children and when they transition to adulthood. Does the system do everything it can to preserve sibling and family relationships whenever possible? If not, what more can be done?
For additional information, please contact:
- Kate Watson, principal investigator
- Abigail Rubtsova, member of core project team
- Angelica Sac Tzep, member of artist collective
