Bio
Erica Chambers is a freelance photographer and community arts advocate based in Berea, Kentucky. Turning her passion into a career at 30, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from EKU in 2012. Since then, she has served on numerous arts organization boards working to build the arts community, founded several mentorship programs to foster young creatives and works full time as a professional photographer. Erica is committed to working with young artists to help them find their way to honor thier craft and support their journey as professional artists.
Potential Residency Project
Our Place, Our Voice
Our Place, Our Voice is a two-week photography and video residency designed to empower high school students to tell their own stories through imagery while deepening their connection to place. The program introduces photography and video as both an artistic practice and a tool for self-expression, documentation, and community storytelling.
This residency is rooted in the belief that young people—especially those in underserved communities—hold powerful perspectives that deserve to be seen and valued. Through hands-on instruction, guided discussions, and creative exploration, students will learn how images can communicate identity, memory, culture, and belonging.
Program Goals
o Empower students to tell personal and community-based stories through photography
o Build visual literacy and critical thinking skills
o Foster pride and awareness of students' connection to place
o Provide equitable access to arts education and professional-quality equipment
o Encourage confidence, self-expression, and creative agency
Curriculum Framework
The curriculum balances technical skill-building with storytelling, reflection, and creative exploration.
Week One: Foundations of Visual Storytelling
Focus: Seeing, Story, and Place
o Introduction to photography as a storytelling medium
o Basics of camera operation (composition, light, focus, exposure)
o Understanding how images communicate emotion and meaning
o Exploring “place" — home, neighborhood, school, and community as subjects
o Guided photo walks centered on observation and curiosity
o Group discussions on identity, perspective, and representation
Students will begin creating images that reflect who they are and where they come from, learning that their everyday experiences are worthy of documentation.
Week Two: Personal Narratives & Community Stories
Focus: Voice, Intention, and Sharing
o Developing a personal photography project
o Sequencing images to tell a cohesive story
o Ethical considerations: photographing people and public spaces
o Peer critiques that emphasize respect, reflection, and growth
o Writing brief artist statements to accompany photographic work
o Preparation for a culminating exhibition or presentation
The residency concludes with a shared showcase—either a pop-up exhibition, digital gallery, or classroom presentation—celebrating student work and voice.
Accessibility & Equipment
Equitable access is central to this residency. All necessary photography equipment will be provided for students who do not have their own, ensuring that participation is not limited by financial means. Instruction will accommodate a range of learning styles and experience levels, creating a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can succeed.
By removing barriers to entry, the program affirms that creativity and artistic expression are not privileges, but essential tools for communication and empowerment.
Impact on Underserved Communities
Bringing professional arts education into underserved communities is vital. This residency provides students with access to a working artist, creative tools, and a structured space to explore their own narratives—opportunities that are often limited or unavailable.
Through this experience, students gain:
o Validation of their lived experiences
o Exposure to creative career pathways
o Skills that extend beyond photography into communication and self-advocacy
o A sense of belonging within the arts
Artist Approach
Erica Chambers approaches teaching with empathy, curiosity, and respect for student voice. Her practice centers storytelling, place-based work, and community engagement, creating an environment where students feel seen, heard, and encouraged to explore their perspectives without judgment.
Outcomes
By the end of the residency, students will:
o Produce a small body of photographic work centered on personal or place-based storytelling
o Demonstrate basic technical photography skills
o Articulate the story behind their images
o Gain confidence in expressing themselves creatively
o Experience the power of seeing their community reflected through their own lens
BEYOND THE RESIDENCY
Strategies for Continued Learning
1. Storytelling Across Subjects
Strategy: Encourage students to continue using photography as a narrative tool in core classes.
o English / Language Arts
o Photo-inspired personal essays or memoir excerpts
o Visual journaling paired with poetry or short stories
o Image + text projects exploring identity or point of view
o Social Studies:
o Documenting local history through photographs
- Visual timelines of community change
o Photo essays about civic spaces or community landmarks
Teacher Tip: One image can replace a traditional writing prompt and spark deeper engagement.
2. Place-Based Learning Projects
Strategy: Anchor assignments in students' immediate surroundings.
o “My Block / My Bus Stop / My School" visual studies
o Mapping exercises that pair photographs with geography or history
o Seasonal documentation of the same location over time
This reinforces the residency's core message: your place matters.
3. Equipment-Light Adaptations
Strategy: Make photography sustainable without specialized gear.
o Use smartphones or tablets where available
o Share a small classroom camera kit on a rotating basis
o Focus lessons on composition, storytelling, and intention—not technology
Key Reminder: Strong images come from perspective, not expensive equipment.
4. Ongoing Visual Journals
Strategy: Create a long-term photo + reflection practice.
o Monthly or quarterly photo prompts
o Students pair images with short written reflections
o Can be analog (printed photos + notebooks) or digital
This builds observational skills, emotional literacy, and consistency.
5. Critique as a Classroom Tool
Strategy: Continue peer critique in a structured, supportive way.
o Use the “Describe, Interpret, Respond" method
o Encourage curiosity over judgment
o Apply critique language to writing, presentations, and projects
These skills translate directly to collaboration and communication.
6. Cross-Curricular Collaboration
Strategy: Invite collaboration between departments.
o Art + English: Photo essays
o Science + Art: Environmental documentation
o History + Photography: Oral history projects
Residency concepts become a shared language across classrooms.
7. Student-Led Exhibitions
Strategy: Make showcasing work a recurring practice.
o Hallway displays
o Digital slideshows
o Community nights or family events
Public sharing reinforces student voice and pride while strengthening school community-connections.
8. Community Engagement Assignments
Strategy: Encourage students to photograph and interview people they know.
o Family members
o Local workers
o Elders in the community
This deepens empathy and honors lived experience as valid knowledge.
9. Career & Pathway Conversations
Strategy: Connect photography skills to future opportunities.
o Careers in media, marketing, journalism, design, and advocacy
o Discuss storytelling as a transferable life skill
o Invite local creatives or alumni to speak
This helps students see creativity as both meaningful and viable.
10. Reflection as Assessment
Strategy: Shift evaluation from “right or wrong" to growth and intention.
o Artist statements
o Process reflections
o Self-assessment rubrics
This aligns assessment with the residency's values of voice and exploration.
Sustainability & Equity Lens
Teachers are encouraged to:
o Prioritize accessibility in all creative assignments
o Validate diverse experiences and identities
o Center local culture and student knowledge
o Maintain flexibility for different learning styles
IMPACT
Program: Our Place, Our Voice: Storytelling Through Photography
Visiting Artist: Erica Chambers
Program Duration: Two Weeks
Participants: High School Students, Teachers, School Community
Evaluation Purpose
The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the effectiveness, impact, and equity of the two-week photography residency in meeting its stated goals. The evaluation measures student learning outcomes, educator engagement, accessibility, and community impact while centering student voice and lived experience.
Both qualitative and quantitative data are used to ensure a comprehensive understanding of program outcomes.
Evaluation Objectives
The evaluation is designed to measure:
1. Student growth in visual literacy, storytelling, and self-expression
2. Increased student connection to place and community identity
3. Equitable access to arts education and equipment
4. Teacher capacity to integrate residency concepts into future instruction
5. Broader school and community engagement with student work
Evaluation Methods & Data Collection
1. Student Learning Outcomes
Pre- and Post-Residency Reflections
Students complete short written or recorded reflections at the beginning and end of the residency.
Measured Indicators:
o Confidence in self-expression
o Understanding of storytelling through imagery
o Awareness of personal and community identity
Creative Skills Growth Rubric
A non-graded rubric is used to document student progress in:
o Basic photography techniques
o Intentional composition and subject selection
o Ability to articulate meaning behind images
o Creative risk-taking and experimentation
Rubrics are used formatively to measure growth rather than performance.
Student Portfolios
Each student produces a small portfolio of images created during the residency.
Assessment Focus:
o Narrative clarity
o Visual coherence
o Evidence of technical and conceptual growth Students participate in selecting work that best represents their learning.
2. Student Engagement & Participation
Metrics Collected:
o Attendance during residency sessions
o Participation in discussions and critiques
o Completion of assigned projects
High participation levels are used as indicators of engagement and program accessibility.
3. Equity & Accessibility Measures
Equipment Access Tracking
The program documents:
o Number of students utilizing provided cameras or devices
o Equipment sharing and accommodation needs
This ensures participation was not limited by access to technology or financial resources.
Inclusion & Belonging Survey
Anonymous student surveys assess whether students felt supported and represented.
Sample Indicators:
o “I felt my story was valued."
o “I felt included regardless of my experience level."
o “I felt comfortable sharing my work."
4. Teacher Impact Assessment
Teacher Reflection Survey
Teachers complete a survey following the residency and again 6–8 weeks later.
Evaluation Areas:
o Alignment with curriculum goals
o Influence on teaching practice
o Continued use of visual storytelling strategies
o Cross-disciplinary applications
Lesson Integration Documentation
Teachers identify at least one lesson or activity inspired by the residency that was incorporated into future instruction.
5. School & Community Impact
Exhibition / Showcase Feedback
Feedback is collected through comment cards, short surveys, or digital forms from:
o Students
o Teachers
o Administrators
o Families and community members
Measured Outcomes:
o Perceived student growth
o Increased community pride and connection
o Visibility of student voice and local narratives
6. Long-Term Impact Indicators (Optional Follow-Up)
When feasible, additional data may be collected 3–6 months post-residency to assess sustainability.
Indicators Include:
o Continued student engagement in arts learning
o Ongoing use of photography or storytelling in coursework
o Requests for future arts programming Data Analysis & Reporting Data will be analyzed using:
o Comparative review of pre- and post-residency reflections
o Rubric score trends
o Survey response summaries
o Qualitative analysis of student and community feedback
Findings will be compiled into a final evaluation summary including:
o Narrative impact statements
o Student quotes (with consent)
o Representative images of student work
o Quantitative participation and access metrics
Use of Evaluation Results
Evaluation findings will be used to:
o Demonstrate program effectiveness to funders
o Strengthen future residency programming
o Advocate for arts education in underserved communities
o Inform school and district decision-making
Conclusion
This evaluation framework ensures that the residency's impact is measured holistically—honoring creative growth, equity, and community engagement— while providing funders with clear, accountable outcomes supported by meaningful data.