Arts Help: ‘My HomeCourt’ Turns Basketball Courts into Sanctuaries for Kids and Communities with Art
August 26, 2021
Description
August 26, 2021
When basketball legend Harold Starks was a young boy growing up in Harlem, the neighbourhood court was his sanctuary – a place where dreams were allowed to grow. Thirty-five years later, he and his friend Pete Peterson wonder how they can provide the same kind of nurturing environment to local kids, or in other words, how to give them their own homecourt.
From this conversation, My HomeCourt (MHC) was born. Partnering with Providence College Galleries, curators and artists, the nonprofit has been introducing vibrant contemporary artwork into local communities since 2018 by transforming run-down basketball courts into dynamic works of public art.
As part of its Sustainable Development Goal for Sustainable Cities and Communities, the United Nations has outlined that creating inclusive and accessible public spaces is a key step in building stronger and more welcoming neighbourhoods. Through the efforts of MHC, the revitalized courts provide a striking example of how art and basketball can help build welcoming communities where connections are strong and dreams are born.
Combining the uplifting power of art and the social nature of the neighbourhood basketball court, MHC’s unique mission has been particularly vital during a disheartening and isolating global pandemic.
