TOTEM STAR
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Mission Statement
Totem Star supports a diverse community of young recording artists learning music and life skills through mentorship and meaningful relationships. Our work in the studio and on the stage fosters growth in collaboration, leadership, and self-identity. Totem Star envisions a more just society where all young people have access to music learning opportunities and youth voice is championed in support of healthy, engaged, and productive young people using music as a universal language.
About This Cause
Totem Star focuses on engaging aspiring artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs. Since 2010, we have served almost 3,500 Seattle-area youth, ages 14-25 years old. In FY2021, we expect to serve over 1,000 youth artists. Totem Star predominantly serves youth of color from low-income communities with little or no access to arts learning opportunities. Our participants are 38% Black / African, 29% White, 15% Asian / Pacific Islander, 15% Hispanic / Latinx, 2% Native American / Indigenous American, and 1% North African / Middle Eastern. Our youth come from Seattle neighborhoods such as the Central District, South Seattle Park, Southwest Seattle, White Center, and Northgate. Over the last few years, we have experienced an influx of youth from surrounding suburbs including Kent, Federal Way, Tacoma, Issaquah, Lynnwood, Everett, and Marysville, as well as farther communities including Olympia, Elma, and Bellingham. Totem Star goes beyond a tangible service and a music-focused curriculum, and also helps youth develop their own identities through creative exploration, problem solving, and collaboration, maximizing their potential for success and fulfillment in college, career, and life; it is to achieve this outcome that we continue to work towards increasing our reach and impact in the community. Through this comprehensive and rewarding process, Totem Star aims to: 1) Build a community of youth recording artists who contribute to the vibrancy of Seattle’s music scene 2) Equip youth with the 21st century skills they need to lead healthy and productive lives 3) Develop social-emotional awareness in youth to increase positive community participation Our Programs - Totem Star provides year-round arts and cultural access to youth in five core areas: The Studio, The Stage, The Story, Artist Booking, and Totem Star Leadership Collective. The Studio is the creative heart of our programming, where youth book weekly studio sessions with Totem Star producers and collaborate with their peers to record original songs. The Stage is a quarterly series of open mics and youth arts showcases open to the general public where youth perform their original music and learn about show production in the process. The Story is a quarterly talk series with guest panels comprised of culturally relevant touring artists and music industry professionals. Past guests include Rell Be Free, Gabriel Teodros, Clinton Fearon, and Nikkita Oliver. Through our Artist Booking program, Totem Star connects our youth artists to paid performances in the community with organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle Art Museum, NW Folklife Festival, and more. Through artist management, we are able to advocate for and negotiate fair pay for artist and youth work. The Totem Star Leadership Committee, our youth advisory board meets monthly and make recommendations on policies, improving programs, and more. To accommodate the growing number of young people that desire our services, we are currently working to move to our headquarters to King Street Station, which is larger and more accessible by regional transit services.