The Project’s name VIA originates from Latin meaning: ‘Way’. Simultaneously, VIA stands for Values, Identity, Art meaning that by addressing deep values, students can re-identify themselves through art and furthermore in their lives.

Context
Symbolically simple face of communities hinders knowledge of symbolically diverse inner dynamic, as well as creating an indifference, apathy and judgement to interact with others shown by those within community (both from CEE and Vienna) and outside community.

Aims
To effect subtle cultural shifts between students by having a strong focus on art and creativity in education. It’s potential to improve academic performance and cross-curricular understanding through these methods. To bring students up to be curious about their own countries history and the links to their contemporary context and to respect the variety of cultures co existing within as well as beyond their habitat.

Mission Statement
This project is allowing teenagers to create their own narratives, and to represent themselves based on their interests, instead of self-imposed trends that are often set-up in contemporary Media for Youth. Mostly, this kind of Youth Media is ‘dumbing-down’ for teenagers, patronising and negates their responsibility causing aggression, hyperactivity and/or irresponsibility that often leads into adult life. Therefore, this project is intervening at a crucial age to awaken freedom through wise choices and responsibilities. Furthermore, this project allows the space to be different, and yet still be part of a community. This project encourages young people not to be afraid of rejection based on difference. That there are boundaries, and these boundaries enable us to form a certain community, however, within those boundaries, there are differentiating factors that should allow you to express yourself and that does not mean that you must relinquish your community because of your difference.