Vision
The First Wave Spoken Word and Urban Arts Learning Community is a cutting-edge multicultural artistic program for incoming students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Bringing together young artists and leaders from across the U.S., the First Wave offers students the opportunity to live, study, and create together in a close-knit, dynamic campus community. Administered by the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives (OMAI), the First Wave Learning Community is the first university program in the country centered on spoken word and hip-hop culture.
"This is more than a program. The First Wave is a family, a community, a movement."
–Willie Ney, First Wave Executive Director
Program Overview
With the support of affiliated faculty, staff, and artists, First Wave students:
•develop their craft as part of a high-level artistic community alongside faculty, staff, and nationally renowned spoken word and hip hop artists
•pursue their academic and career goals by studying fields that merge their artistic interests with professional development
•engage the community in creative service-learning projects that combine multicultural arts and activism
•showcase their talents around the campus, city, and country as part of the First Wave Multicultural Arts Ensemble
First Wave participants live together in a campus residence hall, establishing a distinctive and supportive community. This environment benefits students academically, socially, and artistically, with study sessions and open mic’s taking place right in the dorms. First Wave students bring their diverse experiences and talents to the table, learning from each other and creating artistic works that cross disciplines.
“Having a small community within a big school like UW really helps me stay focused on my studies. And since we’re all artists, we vibe with each other really naturally." - Kelsey Van Ert, First Wave student from St. Paul, MN.
First Wave students get a head start on their UW-Madison careers by taking part in the Summer College Experience (SCE), a summer bridge program designed to help incoming students make a successful transition to college. Participants attend two classes during the summer session, meet a diverse group of fellow incoming students, get adjusted to the college academic and social environment, and enjoy fun trips and cultural activities, including an opening First Wave Welcome Block Party. In addition, First Wave students begin to work with each other and visiting artists to create their ensemble pieces. The cost of tuition, books, and room and board in a residence hall is covered for all participants.
Once on campus in the fall, First Wave students are supported by affiliated faculty and advisors to take courses that stimulate their creativity to the highest potential. Students choose their own major to match their personal interests and life goals, while also having the opportunity to take classes exclusively geared for First Wave. During their first semester, participants enroll in the First Wave Integrated Arts Workshop, taught by Professor Chris Walker of the School of Dance and member of the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica.
“In my First Wave workshop, we pull all the students’ artistic elements together to create a production of hip-hop theater. It is a process of joy, struggle, and sweat.” - Professor Chris Walker
First Wave students receive three credits their freshman year in a unique service-learning course. Students are placed in internships with community organizations that are designed to tap into their creative strengths. Additionally, they reach out to youth while performing at K-12 schools, community centers, and correctional facilities. Later in their college career, students have the opportunity to secure an internship with local and national arts organizations, media companies, and cultural centers.
“The First Wave is about living out the Wisconsin Idea, the UW-Madison tradition that the boundaries of the university are the boundaries of the state, and now the globe,” - Professor Michael Thornton of the Afro-American Studies Department and Director of the Morgridge Center for Public Service. “This is a program committed to social justice and connecting what you are learning in class to issues in the community.”
First Wave students have many opportunities to share their talents with large crowds on campus, in the city, and around the country. These events create an exciting platform for cross-cultural dialogue and a positive social environment for all ages. Annual highlights include:
* Passing the Mic Spoken Word Showcase
* Cinefest Multicultural Film Festival
* Hip Hop as a Movement Week
“We’re showing people what real hip hop is all about: peace, love, unity, and having fun.” – Sofia Snow, First Wave student from Boston, MA
Participants receive training and guidance from visiting artists affiliated with First Wave, including:
•DJ Kool Herc, the founding father of hip-hop (New York, NY)
•Marc Bamuthi Joseph, award-winning hip-hop theater artist and UW-Madison Artist in Residence 2007 (San Francisco, CA)
•Kevin Coval, HBO Def Poet and published author (Chicago, IL)
•Mayda del Valle, actress, b-girl, and National Poetry Slam champion (Los Angeles, CA)
“The First Wave is the next evolution of the culture. This program is the real deal.” – DJ Kool Herc, the father of hip-hop and a First Wave affiliated artist
Scholarships
All First Wave students receive a financial aid package to help meet the costs of college, with the possibility of a four-year, full-tuition scholarship. Students are also able to receive federal, state, and university aid. To be eligible for aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Any applicant to the UW-Madison, namely incoming freshmen and transfer students, may apply to join the First Wave. Students must first be guaranteed admission to UW-Madison before they will be considered for the First Wave. The First Wave admissions committee reviews each application individually and is looking for students who demonstrate strong artistic and academic abilities, as well as leadership, community service, creativity, talent, and enthusiasm. We also consider personal characteristics that will contribute to the strength and diversity of the learning community. For the First Wave class of 2007, the average high school GPA was a 3.4 and the ACT was a 26.
First Wave's commitment to diversity is evident when looking at the membership of Spoken Word in the Scools clubs in Madison schools and at the inaugural First Wave class: the poets and artists represent a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Deadlines
September 15, 2007 – Application Season Begins for UW-Madison and First Wave
January 1, 2008 – FAFSA first day of accepting financial aid applications: www.fafsa.ed.gov
February 1, 2008 - Application Deadline for UW-Madison: www.admissions.wisc.edu
February 15, 2008 - Application Deadline for First Wave: www.omai.wisc.edu/firstwave
More Information
For more information and help with the application process, please contact:
Josh Healey
Program Director
(608) 890-1006
jghealey@wisc.edu
357 Bascom Hall 500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706
