In this month’s podcast we introduce you to Arthur ‘Art’ Collins, a poet, educator, and mediator.
A believer in the transformative power of literature, “Art the poet” is a natural sayer and teller of all that is. A restorative justice practitioner with a solid background in Education, Nonprofit Organizations, Youth Development, Coaching, and Crisis Intervention, he is committed to ending the ‘school-to-prison pipeline’ by encouraging solutions that allow more students to remain in school and continue their education. As one who identifies symbols and markers in society his commitment to the agenda of humanity is unwavering. ~ Jane SpokenWord
Boston native Arthur Ray Collins is an educator and spoken word performance poet who believes that there is extraordinary power in words and considers his poetry to be socially conscious as well as entertaining. His brand of poetry motivates action, provokes thought, and stimulates the mind of the listener.
A Co-host of the infamous Lizard Lounge Poetry Slam and member of 2008, 2010, 2016-2020 Lizard Lounge National Poetry Slam Team, he is also a founding member of the National Black College Alliance and L.I.V.E Brothers (Loyal, Intelligent, Victorious, Everlasting,) mentoring club for boys, State of Young Black Boston, and the Brother’s Keeper Poetry Theater Ensemble.
A graduate of Clark Atlanta University and New Hampshire College Graduate School of Business, he holds a B.A in Political Science and a Master of Science degree in Community Economic Development. He facilitates writing workshops and speaks at various forums on youth, education, and community development.
An Educator, counselor, community organizer and youth advocate specializing in youth with social, emotional and developmental needs, Arthur has worked as the Out of Harm’s Way Manager, Student Support Specialist, and a Trauma Specialist in the Boston Public Schools System.
He is certified in Crisis Prevention & Intervention, Communication & Literacy, Preliminary Educator License, Moderate Disabilities in Special Education and District-wide Restorative Justice Practices Coach.
Arthur Collins continues his lifelong commitment to community through his poetry and his work.
Jane SpokenWord
Street poet Jane SpokenWord’s performances represent the spoken word as it is meant to be experienced, raw, uncensored and thought provoking. From solos, to slams, duos, trios, and bands, including a big band performance at The Whitney Museum with Avant-Garde Maestro Cecil Taylor which garnered All About Jazz’s Best of 2016. Other collaborations include: Min Tanaka, Miguel Algarin, Beat Poet John Sinclair, her son HipHop musician/producer, DJ Nastee, and her partner in all things, Albey onBass. Combining the elements of spoken word, music, sound and song “Like those of the Jazz poets, the Beats, The Last Poets, Gil Scott-Heron and others – she is usually accompanied by Albey onBass Balgochian’s moaning, groaning, rumbling contrabass – adding double the gut-punch to her words.” (Raoul daGama) To preserve the cultural heritage of wording to document life, and foster a broader collective community, she brings her poetry and spoken word to a diverse set of venues including museums, festivals, libraries, slam lounges, art galleries, clubs, busking street corners and living rooms everywhere. She has authored two books of poetry with art and music by co-author Albey onBass: Word Against the Machine and Tragically Hip. Publications include: TV Baby A collection of Lower East Side artists – OHWOW, Shadow of The Geode, Bonsia Press, Stars in the Fire and Palabras Luminosas – Rogue Scholars Express and We Are Beat in the National Beat Poetry Anthology.
A special thank you to Albey ‘onBass’ Balgochian for the sound engineering in the prelude and postlude of the audio. Albey’s performances range from the Bowery Poetry Club to the Whitney Museum of American Art, his résumé includes many distinguished artists including Nuyorican Poet Miguel Algarin, Beat Poet John Sinclair, Darryl Jones (Miles Davis, Rolling Stones,) and the Cecil Taylor Trio & Big Band (“Best of ’05, ’09, ’16” All About Jazz) https://albeybalgochian.com/
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