Launched in 2020, Generator Z is a teen-led initiative to reimagine the future of afterschool programs. . More than 1,000 ‘Generators’ from across southeast Michigan and Western New York shared their afterschool experience and insight online. Afterschool program providers stepped up with ideas to turn that teen insight into action. More than 90 providers across both regions received $4 million to bring their ideas to life in the next year and Jamestown’s Infinity Visual and Performing Arts is one of them.

Generator Z is driven by teens and powered by Lakeshore Connections with support from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. Learn more at www.generator-z.org.

Infinity read the Generator Z ideas from teens across Western New York, and listened to own students at the Infinity Center to develop a program. The grant award will allow teens at the Infinity Center to create original music, theater, dance and artworks through “Originals Labs” with their completed original works becoming final products such as original albums, books, framed displays and videos.

Funding will also provide area teens with opportunities to develop portfolios, attend student-driven discussion groups to talk about topics that are important to them, attend performance workshops to learn skills such as performance technique, stage/equipment troubleshooting, MC skills, participate in performance events and opportunities, and help to plan field trips and special workshops.

From left are Asher Daniels, Kaylee Gabalski, June Winters, Annabella Prieto

“This was my favorite grant that I have ever worked on,” said Shane Hawkins, Infinity executive director. “I love that youth voice was the driver, and that we were able to incorporate every creative and advanced performance idea we’ve always dreamed of being able to offer to Infinity Students. The funder’s approach was incredibly unique and impressively visionary. We are so excited to follow the students’ lead and watch this unfold.”

Along with all of the new learning and performance opportunities that will be available at the Infinity Center with the support of the grant funding, Infinity has hired a new full-time artistic director, Jamie Lee Bonfiglio-Davis, to implement the program, connect students and their families with opportunities, and strengthen Infinity’s performance and talent-showcasing experiences for students.

“We are kicking off our new program year in a big way, and a big part of that is adding Jamie Lee to our full-time staff,” Hawkins said. “She has been a popular Infinity instructor for many years, and brings a unique set of skills to the program and performance team. Our instruction team is so strong, and this grant will allow us to add new instructors, too. We are thrilled to watch this year unfold, and so excited for the students who will benefit in unprecedented ways at Infinity because of this outstanding grant award! If a student is interested in performance and collaborative creativity, this is the year to join Infinity.”

“There is so much we can do with this grant and I’m just waiting to hear from our youth to find out what it is they want to do,” Bonfiglio-Davis said. “Infinity plans on setting up a few days in September to get together with local teens and see exactly what type of programming they want to see at Infinity this year and then I’ll do my best to make it happen! So, if you’re an Infinity teen you may be hearing from me soon! Also, if you’re a parent who thinks their child would like to be part of this process, please contact Infinity at 716-664-0991! The more minds the merrier. We’re hoping for an eclectic think tank of excited youth to help grow arts in our community through Infinity. How awesome is that? To say I am merely excited seems like an understatement. I’m bursting with enthusiasm being part of it all.”

For more information, call the Infinity Office at 664-0991 to learn about dates and times or visit www.infinityperformingarts.org/register to complete registration for the upcoming program year. Scholarships are also available for students and families who need financial support.