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Innovation Lab 

OMG Studios Innovation Lab is an interactive and evolving music, art and literature immersion project that will function as a cultural content creator hub. Participants will create a wide array of multimedia, inspired by the Twin Cities’ rich music and art culture.

Mission Statement

To provide a creative outlet for youth for music, art and literary expression, development, and education.

OMG Studios Cultural Sustainability Promise 

Our work is centered around building cultural sustainability and community, where music and art are essential to human survival and development. We are driven by love for humanity and a desire to empower, nurture, and improve the health and wellness of youth and families in under-invested communities.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Supporting partners include:

MN Humanities Center, MN Black Collective, City of St. Paul and Live4Love Charities.

 

Innovation Lab Year In Review

Innovation Lab Programming

Innovation Lab Session: Kip Blackshire 060924
About Kip Blackshire Kip Blackshire (Keyboards & Lead Vocals) Tours with Prince: Hit N Run Tour (2000 - 2001) Albums with Prince: Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic, Musicology Kip Blackshire was a member of the NPG (keyboards and singer) from 1999 until 2002, and then returned to play in Judith Hill’s band in 2015. His musical heritage come from four generations of gospel singers who lived in the same area of Arkansas where Morris Hayes was raised.
Innovation Lab Session: DJ Lenka Paris & Art of Dance Founder Linda Green 04.21.24
Students learned about OMG Studios' enlightenment through an immersive experience  that centered on love of humanity.

Juneteenth Reckoning With Slavery: MN African American History 04.05.24

Students were immersed into a day of filming OMG Studios' 5th Juneteenth story that will screen on June 19th with a powerful ending featuring the youth.

Innovation Lab Session: Nunnabove 03.09.24

Family music sensation Nunnabove shared their stories of successes, failures and life in the entertainment industry. Their session included how they ideate a song.

Innovation Lab Session with Monique Linder 04.15.24

Students were introduced to experiential learning by introducing events that they will be immersed in alongside OMG Studios' engineers, videographers and event coordinators.

Innovation Lab Session: Jevetta Steele & Monique Linder 03.23.24

Jevetta Steele of the legendary Steeles singing family talked to the youth about Intellectual Poverty and protecting their brand and literary work.

Innovation Lab Session: Andre Cymone 10.03.23

Students learned about the life of a musician from the man himself, Andre Simone. He talked about his life becoming an artist alongside his best friend Prince, who lived with Andre under the guidance of his mother, Mrs. Bernardette, who was best known for supporting aspiring musicians in North Minneapolis. Unbeknownst to Mr. Cymone, she laid the foundation for the Minneapolis Sound.

Registation Criteria:

This project will serve pre-teen and teenage youth (12-24) living in marginalized communities in the Twin Cities (MSP) metropolitan and throughout Great Minnesota online. These programs target children who need after-school activities and compensate for the lack of music and art education in many public schools. This project also addresses the arts’ succession crisis, specifically the deficit of mastery knowledge that should be passed down from generation-to- generation.

We have a few positions open for youth creative coaches (18-25) that will support and encourage youth throughout their creative journey.

Register for the Innovation Lab Today!

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