Teens interested in preparing for a career in the arts will find this introductory resource invaluable as it is the first book to guide them long before they apply to college or seek a position in their field. Whether they would like to become actors or filmmakers, artists, architects, dancers, musicians or singers, photographers, or writers, this book will show them how to do so. For each of the arts, an overview of the career, training, and a discussion of related careers is provided, along with lists of books, web sites, and organizations for further information. Sections directed to parents and teachers of the teens, with advice on how to support and encourage teens in their careers, are also included. Teens wanting to gain an edge in their craft by practicing and preparing early will find a wealth of information: advice from experts in each field provide an inside look on what skills are necessary for the twenty-first century. Suggestions for building discipline are provided, such as keeping a writing or sketching journal, and finding the proper trainers in music, dance, and acting. Contests and other opportunities that teens can submit work to or apply for auditions are provided, along with an extensive list of books, trade journals, Web sites, and professional and non-professional organizations. Using the resources in this book will ensure teens are experienced and well-prepared in their art form when they apply to college or other professional training and seek positions in their field.

Provides guidance for teenagers interested in pursuing a career in the arts.

"Drew's experience teaches us to embrace what we are afraid of and be true to ourselves. She uses her passion to change the art world and invites us to join her."--Janelle Monáe, award-winning singer, actress, and producer "Powerful and compelling, this book gives us the courage to discover our own journeys into art."--Hans Ulrich Obrist, artistic director of the Serpentine Galleries in Kensington Gardens, and co-editor of the Cahiers d'Art review "This deeply personal and boldly political offering inspires and ignites."-- Kirkus Reviews, starred review In this powerful and hopeful account, arts writer, curator, and activist Kimberly Drew reminds us that the art world has space not just for the elite, but for everyone. Pocket Change Collective is a series of small books with big ideas from today's leading activists and artists. In this installment, arts writer and co-editor of Black Futures Kimberly Drew shows us that art and protest are inextricably linked. Drawing on her personal experience through art toward activism, Drew challenges us to create space for the change that we want to see in the world. Because there really is so much more space than we think.

Coping with life's stresses is difficult for everybody, but can be especially challenging for teenagers, who often feel isolated and misunderstood. Creative expression through art, craft, and writing is a natural and effective way of helping young people to explore and communicate personal identity. This book is bursting with art and journal activities, creative challenges, and miniature projects for bedrooms and other personal spaces, all of which help teenagers to understand and express who they are and what is important to them. These fun ideas can be tailored to suit the individual, and require minimal equipment and even less artistic know-how, so can be enjoyed by all. The book concludes with a useful section for counselors and other professionals who work with young people, which explains how these activities can be incorporated into treatment goals. This imaginative and insightful book is a useful resource for all therapists, social workers, and counselors who wish to encourage self-expression in teenagers.

Calling all teenagers—quit the moaning and start loving life! Don't be a cliché. Don't stay in your bedroom grunting and grumbling. How about getting motivated, energized and start making a difference?! The Art of Being A Brilliant Teenager teaches you how to become your very best self—and how to figure out who that is, exactly. The bestselling authors of The Art of Being Brilliant and Be Brilliant Everyday are experts in the art of happiness and positive psychology and, with this new book, you'll find your way to becoming brilliant at school, work, and life in general. Stay cool under all the pressures you're facing, and plot a map for the future that takes you wherever it is you want to go. Become proactive, determined, successful and most importantly: happy! Fact: your life span is about four thousand weeks. It seems like a lot, but it's not. Complaining about life, homework, parents, and relationships may be normal now, but don't let it become your defining trait. When you're forty years old and still moaning, a big chunk of your four thousand weeks have slipped by, and you're no closer to happiness than you were as a teen. This book is a guide to starting the journey to your ideal life now, instead of wasting time being a drip. Discover the real you, and what you want out of life Stop moaning and get moving now, while there's plenty of time Lose your bad habits before they become your personality Figure out how you want to contribute, and find a way to do it The bottom line is this: it's easy to be the average version of yourself, but is that really all you want? Don't you want to achieve something? Get started now. The Art of Being A Brilliant Teenager helps you figure out where you want to go, and how to get there. So, whether you're an ambitious teenager, a parent or teacher desperate to turn a down-beat teenager into a ray of positivity and delight, How to Be a Brilliant Teenager is here to help.

Learning to play an instrument can be fun and, at times, frustrating. This lively, accessible book helps young people cope with the difficulties involved in learning a new instrument and remaining dedicated to playing and practicing. Teens from renowned music programs - including the Juilliard School's Pre-College Program and Boston University's Tanglewood Institute - join pro musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Paula Robison, and James Galway in offering practical answers to questions from what instrument to play to where the musical road may lead. In this revised and expanded edition, Amy Nathan has updated the book to address today's more technologically-minded young musician. Expanded sections cover the various ways students can use technology to assist in mastering an instrument and in making practice time more productive, from using the Internet to download pieces to be learned and playing along with downloaded tunes to practicing with computer-based practice programs, CDs, and videos/DVDs of musical performances. She also addresses concerns of young composers and conductors, two groups not mentioned in the original edition. The book's updated Resource Guide suggests where to get additional help, both online and off.

Do you procrastinate? And if so, what’s your procrastination type? In this fun and illustrated guide, author Jennifer Shannon blends acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive behavioral strategies to help you recognize your procrastination habits, discover the strengths of your unique procrastination type, and find the motivation you need to meet important deadlines and reach your highest goals. In the midst of modern-day distractions like smartphones, social media, and endless hours of movie and television streaming, it’s no wonder you procrastinate! But despite what you may have heard, procrastination doesn’t make you a bad or lazy person. In fact, procrastination may even work for you sometimes—creating a sense of urgency that can help you focus. But if procrastination doesn’t work for you, it can get in the way of meeting your full potential—in high school, college, your career, and life. So, how can you get things done and be your very best? In A Teen’s Guide to Getting Stuff Done, you’ll discover your procrastination type—warrior, pleaser, perfectionist, or rebel—as well as the unique strengths inherent in each type. If you’re a warrior, you love a good challenge, but may not be able to complete tasks you find uninteresting. If you’re a pleaser, you may be so concerned about disappointing others that you postpone doing something. If you’re a perfectionist, you may put things off because you’re worried about your work being judged by teachers, parents, or peers. And finally, if you’re a rebel, you’re driven by a strong sense of independence. By understanding your type and using the practical strategies laid out in each chapter of this book, you’ll be able to break the cycle of procrastination once and for all. This isn’t a manual on how to please your parents, teachers, professors, or friends. This is a book to help you understand why you procrastinate, whether or not procrastination works for you, and if not, how to improve your work habits and really get things done. By helping you uncover your own unique strengths, this book will help you master your to-do list—and your life! This book has been selected as an Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Self-Help Book Recommendation—an honor bestowed on outstanding self-help books that are consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and that incorporate scientifically tested strategies for overcoming mental health difficulties. Used alone or in conjunction with therapy, our books offer powerful tools readers can use to jump-start changes in their lives.