Airdrie youth are being asked to photograph places where they feel safe, unsafe, included or excluded as the city gathers input for its Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.
The City of Airdrie has launched Airdrie Through Your Eyes — Youth Photovoice Project, which is open to young people ages 15 to 24 from June 25 to Aug. 7.
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Photos will feed into city safety plan
Through the project, the city is gathering youth perspectives through photography as part of its work on the plan.
Participants are asked to take five to eight photos using any device, with images focused on spaces and places connected to their experiences in Airdrie.
The project asks participants to consider where they spend time with friends, where they have positive memories, where they feel less safe or uncomfortable, where they feel unseen or excluded, and where they go to be alone or recharge.
Each photo must include a caption explaining what is in the image, what the space means to the participant and why they chose it.
Mayor says youth perspectives matter
“Youth are an essential part of our community, and their perspectives help us build a stronger, safer Airdrie,” said Mayor Heather Spearman. “This project is an opportunity for young people to share their experiences in a creative and meaningful way, and to directly influence decisions that will shape our city’s future.”
Photos collected through the project are expected to help identify what is working well in Airdrie, while also highlighting places where young people may feel unsafe, excluded or disconnected, according to the city.
The feedback will be used as part of the city’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan process.
Submissions may be shared confidentially as part of the planning process.
Submissions entered for gift-card prizes
Each submission will be entered to win one of 10 $100 digital gift cards.
Prizes include digital gift cards for Amazon, Walmart and local businesses Glitch! Gaming Lounge and Over The Top Pop Shop, according to the city.
City outlines privacy and safety rules
The project asks participants to focus on spaces and places, rather than photographing themselves or other people as the main subject.
Private property, such as a home or workplace, should only be photographed with permission when it is the main focus of the image.
Permission is not required when photographing a public space, according to the city.
Participants are also being reminded not to put themselves at risk, including by standing in the street, travelling alone to unfamiliar places or taking photos while driving.
Youth who want to document an unsafe location can instead photograph a similar area and explain which location they are referring to.
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