Investigating Where We Live - Registration opens April 1!

 Created by the National Building Museum in 1996, Investigating Where We Live (IWWL) is a summer outreach program designed for middle school and high school students ages 12-16 who are interested in using creative writing and photography as a means of understanding and describing D.C. neighborhoods. At the end of the program, participants have an opportunity to show what they have learned by creating a museum exhibition that features their insights and work.

In IWWL, participants will:

Develop photography, writing, and design skills;

Define neighborhoods and examine what influences their appearances;

Learn neighborhood histories;

Collaborate with peers and staff as part of a team; and

Create a museum exhibition.

In addition to developing these skills, IWWL participants enjoy a number of other benefits, including:

Receiving a digital camera;

Developing relationships with professional photographers, designers, museum staff, and fellow participants;

Keeping their photographs for use in future projects, portfolios, or high school and college applications; and

Fulfilling community service requirements for school.

IWWL is a 12 session summer program that takes place from 9am to 2pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for four (4) weeks. Up to 30 participants are selected each summer. Two optional work sessions are offered to provide participants the chance to work directly in the gallery space. The exhibition, which is planned and produced by the students, is on display for six to nine months. This year’s exhibition, Investigating Where We Live: Capturing Colorful Communities, explores Bloomingdale, H Street NE, and Mt. Pleasant, and is open until June 10, 2012.

Applications will be available on the Investigating Where We Live website from April 1 – April 30. Notifications of application status will begin May 14. Please contact outreach@nbm.org if you have any questions.