Our mission is to engage, change, and save lives with the performing arts through community engagement and youth programming.
There is a community where arts advocacy, social justice, and youth mentoring connect; where young people are encouraged to take notice of the world around them and engage passionately and with purpose. The Listening, Inc aspires to be that safe place, where young people are engaged to use the performing arts to ask questions, develop answers, perform with purpose and change the world around them.
OUR VISION
the listening, inc. exists to challenge the perception of the performing arts being strictly for entertainment purposes, and connect it to its healing properties.
We seek to confront lethargy, illiteracy, stagnation, and segregation, by building intentional relationships and seeking diversity in our creative expression.We have a bold vision to see our community changed by socially minded artists who have a burden to use their talent, time, and passion to change the world around them, as well as the world inside of them. We believe that the road towards a better tomorrow is best accomplished passionately, creatively, and intentionally - together.
PROGRAMS
Programs like Freedom School and Young, Lit & Free serve the teens of our community. We believe that through literature and the performing arts, the next generation can be empowered to make a difference around them and within themselves.
EVENTS
We've been hosting and facilitating creative events that venture past entertainment and easy conversation. Our hope is to create enough safe and brave spaces for people to be heard, while provoked to say something worth listening to.
BLOG
"Talk That Talk" is our blog page, where we post original articles, official announcements and updates for our community of artists, activists, advocates and allies.
OUR MANIFESTO
(Created by Spencer’s Vanguard - Class of 2016)
The Listening has invited me — a white middle class woman— to learn more about the women, men, youth and elders of my community who do not look like me. Together we are growing community, sharing meals, and doing the small work that can lead to big change. We CAN create a future where all people thrive and The Listening is my local go-to for building Beloved Community.
dori b.
Being back in “The Burg” was a hard transition. Finding The Listening was a great discovery to help keep my inner poet alive. Seeing the great milestones they’ve achieved and the many lives they’ve changed by creating a safe space for people of all walks to share, gave me that extra push to keep writing and sharing. They are seriously Lynchburg’s best kept secret and it’s Time for the world to know! Performing arts now has a deeper meaning because of how they’ve used it to shed light difficult issues.
mele t.
The Listening is an invaluable organization in our community. They provide an outlet for so many to find their voice and be heard. They serve the youth in many of our schools and provide adults with a vehicle to promote positive change in our neighborhoods. Long live THE LISTENING!
dr. d brown
I was there when this whole thing started. To see The Listening grow, evolve, and become so much more than an open mic event in a small cafe has been incredible. The work they are doing in and for their community is invaluable. This is how you run a non-profit. This is how you make a difference.