On March 22, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., artist, educator, and KAOS Network founder and director, Ben Caldwell will give a keynote address at the first annual Creative Long Beach Internship Program fundraiser, “Interns in the Arts.” The event will take place at The Reef Restaurant.
The Arts Council is honored to host Mr. Caldwell as keynote speaker. As founder of KAOS Network, his work demonstrates the tremendous impact a community arts center can have on a neighborhood. By offering training on digital arts, multi-media and performing arts, his work has empowered the youth of Leimert Park and beyond. Furthermore, Professor Caldwell’s approach to arts and culture as a vehicle of transformation is aligned to the Arts Council’s vision on helping students transform their careers, and lives, in order to foster creativity and culture.
Ben Caldwell grew up assisting his grandfather, who projected movies at a small theater in New Mexico. His passion for visual arts lead him to study film at UCLA and reside in the neighborhood of Leimert Park. After teaching film and video at Howard University in Washington, D.C. from 1981–84, Caldwell returned to Leimert Park and created an independent studio for video production and experimentation that later became the KAOS Network. Its legendary Project Blowed is a weekly open-mic workshop that gave birth to rappers and rap groups such as Aceyalone, Medusa, Busdriver, Freestyle Fellowship and Jurassic Five. Caldwell’s films, Eyewitness: Reflections of Malcolm X & the O.A.A.U. (2006) and La Buena Vida (The Good Life) (2008), trace historical and cultural connections. Currently, Professor Caldwell is using design research to preserve culture and build sustainable business with the local phone booth project. The project is a collaboration between USC media technologists, local artists, and the cultural businesses of Leimert Park.
The luncheon will be held at The Reef Restaurant, 880 South Harbor Scenic Drive Long Beach, CA 90802.
For more information about the event visit https://clblunch.eventbrite.com. If you are interested in learning more about how to support our interns, please contact Laura Nelson at (562) 435-2787 or Laura.Nelson@artslb.org.