Why this, why now? 

What began as a project to address the dangerous, escalated militarization in the borderlands due to Trump’s politically-motivated falsehoods and oppressive policy, has grown into a project which seeks not only to confront these systemic abuses, but to engage and foster connections between diverse groups of migrant and borderlands youth. Beyond the Wall || Más Alla del Muro empowers young participants and their families to own their culture, personhood, and individuality amidst the complexities and challenges of a rapidly changing North America. 

First person perspectives are often excluded from contemporary conversations around human migration and refugeeism, but artists and young people have honest, critical voices that can change the conversation. Beyond the Wall || Más Allá del Muro amplifies those voices to invite discussion and radical listening through play and positivity. Too often, the borderlands only make the news outside the region when something negative or challenging happens. Through this community-centric project, we offer a space to come together, to celebrate, to listen, and to respond.