My name is Sarah Cappo, and I’m the collaborator, convener, and educator you’ve been waiting for.
Let’s build something together.
I’m an arts educator who values building relationships with individuals and communities through inclusive, collaborative, and equity-centered approaches.
A trained visual artist, vocalist, and pianist, I’ve spent the last several years working with young people to create spaces where they feel valued and comfortable, are involved in creating their own experiences, know that their voices have power, and that they have the ability to enact change within their own communities.
pictured here with my favorite artist activists — Freedom Futures Collective
Activism in my educational practice is built around equity-centered community design principles—designing “with, not for”, acknowledging and dismantling power structures within the design field, and making sure every voice has a seat at the table until we can turn over the table.
Whether teaching them to use power tools or to advocate for their communities, I believe in using arts education to equip young people with tools to build the world they want to see.
Engage
Centering communities is at the core of any of my engagement work. I’ve been working with communities around Washington, DC for 4 years using design to improve their public spaces, from a designated teen space at the Mt Pleasant Neighborhood Library to an outdoor basketball court in Oxon Run Park. I believe communities thrive when they’re connected with resources to amplify their power. Check out some of my most recent community engagement work with Ward 7 Speaks.
Create
I’ve always been inspired by the intersection of activism with art and design. Lately, I’ve been exploring that intersection with the Freedom Futures Collective, programming educational and multimedia experiences to support the movement for ALL Black lives. We bring together youth, young adults, and established artists to collaborate, document, interpret, reimagine, and (de)construct policing and organizing work.
Educate
I’m a passionate arts educator with over 8 years of experience in museum education. Most of my work has been with young people ages 13-18, but I’m no stranger to intergenerational learning. I’ve taught 4th graders to redesign Washington, DC centering multimodal public transportation, toddlers how to use hammers, and teenagers how to work with local communities to build a vibrant neighborhood gathering place. Oh, and power tools. I have absolutely taught teenagers to use power tools.
Above all, I believe in giving the participant the tools and confidence to create their own learning experience.
The Design Apprenticeship Program x HOOPS — where the power of basketball meets the spirit of community.