New WORLD Theater’s youth initiative, Project 2050, is a multiyear exploration of the midcentury demographic shift, when it is projected that people of color will become the majority in the U.S. Addressing issues compelled by these changing demographics, the project engages youth communities, professional artists, scholars, and community activists in civic dialogue and artistic creation. The project promotes creative imagining of a near future, when it will become imperative not only to address issues such as race construction, ethnic balkanization, social inequity, and power imbalance, but to move beyond these traditionally disempowering institutional frameworks. This case study is compiled by Chris Rohmann from New WORLD Theater's reports and evaluation materials. It recaps the history and evolution of this ongoing initiative that is blurring the lines between intergenerational art, activism, politics, and culture. It explores the philosophical underpinnings of the program, the challenges of designing dialogue for and with youth, and its outcomes, including how and why Project 2050 has become a core program for New WORLD Theater and inspired the creation of a youth action community coalition.

New WORLD Theater’s youth initiative, Project 2050, is a multiyear exploration of the midcentury demographic shift, when it is projected that people of color will become the majority in the U.S. Addressing issues compelled by these changing demographics, the project engages youth communities, professional artists, scholars, and community activists in civic dialogue and artistic creation. The project promotes creative imagining of a near future, when it will become imperative not only to address issues such as race construction, ethnic balkanization, social inequity, and power imbalance, but to move beyond these traditionally disempowering institutional frameworks. This case study is compiled by Chris Rohmann from New WORLD Theater's reports and evaluation materials. It recaps the history and evolution of this ongoing initiative that is blurring the lines between intergenerational art, activism, politics, and culture. It explores the philosophical underpinnings of the program, the challenges of designing dialogue for and with youth, and its outcomes, including how and why Project 2050 has become a core program for New WORLD Theater and inspired the creation of a youth action community coalition.