Wednesday, August 12, 2009
COOPERATIVE ARTISTS INSTITUTE EVENTS/SCHEDULE - August 2009
CAI News Notes August, 2009
Events & Announcements:
• SAVE THE DATE: CAI's Annual Yard Sale Fundraiser,
Saturday, September 26, 10:00AM-4:00PM (Rain date 9/27)
• Hear Curtis Jones talking about Tribal Rhythms®
with Michael Koran on BlipTV (http://michaelkoran.blip.tv/2377516/)
News:
Tribal Rhythms®:
Tribal Rhythms was recently awarded a BPS Arts Expansion Grant to work at the Charles Taylor School in Dorchester for the coming school year. The Partnership for Whole School Change has worked with the Taylor School for the past three years, and this project will allow CAI to build on that foundation.
This project will focus on students in grades 1 and 2 and provide dance and drumming experiences that enhance hands-on learning in language, social studies, math, science and physical development. Children will work with artists who are highly skilled in African, Afro-Caribbean, and African American dance and drumming, and they will learn about the cultural heritage of the art forms.
Curtis Jones, Wyoma, and Cornell Coley will be the primary artists offering instruction to the students. The BPS Expansion Arts Fund is sponsored by: the Barr Foundation, The Boston Foundation, EdVestors, the Hunt Alternatives Fund and the Klarman Family Foundation. for more information about the project, contact Curtis at 617-524-6378.
During the last school year, Tribal Rhythms Touring and Residency Programs served over 12,000 children in schools and at community sites throughout Eastern MA, reaching into communities as diverse as Worcester, Lowell, Wareham, and Wilbraham. For the 2010 school year, programs are already scheduled for the Tribal Rhythms Celebration and The Story of The Weakest and The Strongest. Our touring programs help schools and after-school programs strengthen their sense of community and help children learn the values of caring, cooperation and respect. Activities use the Arts to help schools address a range of issues from bullying and cliques to empowering children with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Tribal Rhythms is FUN, but it is also one of CAI's key tools for addressing some of today's most urgent problems created by family and community fragmentation. To learn more, call CAI at 617-524-6378, or go to http://www.tribal-rhythms.org.
CAI's Tribal Rhythms Creative Schools Project with the Doran School in Fall River will be resuming in the fall. This project is funded under the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Creative Schools Program.
Tribal Rhythms Community Partnership:
The Tribal Rhythms Community Partnership provides professional development, curriculum workshops, and residency programs to 11 Boston area OST programs. The project helps after-school staff use the Tribal Rhythms curriculum as a thematic framework for organizing activities and techniques that help children develop positive behavior. The project provides an early intervention violence prevention strategy that helps children build self-esteem and confidence, resolve conflicts peacefully, develop leadership and critical-thinking skills, and learn to express themselves through performing and visual arts. Recent workshops at Hawthorne Youth & Community Center in Roxbury helped to strengthen community-building and Peace-making skills for HYCC children ages 5-12. Staff Training and summer camp sessions at For Kids Only this summer also provided Tribal Rhythms arts and group building experiences for children in Winthrop and Revere. For more information about TRCP, call CAI at 617-524-6378 or go to http://www.tribal-rhythms.org/trcp.html.
The Partnership to Achieve Whole School Change:
The Summer Institute of Peaceable Schools and Communities (PS&C) in July offered a powerful conference entitled: Connecting Across Generations. CAI maintains a close relationship with PS&C through our Partnership for Whole School Change, as both organizations share a mutual desire to help schools create just and peaceful learning communities. Curtis Jones, Partnership Director, and CAI Co-founder, also serves as an Adjunct Board member of PS&C where he works with other Board members to design and produce the Summer Institute with Lesley University. Through his programmatic offerings, CAI provided transformational drama and music experiences that helped participants from different generations connect in meaningful ways.
The Obama election campaign demonstrated the power of cross-generational organizing for change, and inspired Peaceable Schools to make connecting across different generations a core idea of this year's summer institute. The event drew a record number of youths who, together with participants of all ages, took part in empowering workshops, inspiring keynotes, and intimacy-building reflection and connection groups. Using Open Space Technology, participants chose and examined their own issues and topics inspired by the institute and their own life experiences.
The Peace Drum Project:
Last year's Peace Drum Project wrapped up with a flurry of creative activity from our annual awards and celebration of the Elder's stories, to an exhibit of drums and banners at the Jamaica Plain branch of the Boston Public Library, to the teens artwork being part of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum's Community Creations exhibit Now, after this very exciting year, we are looking forward to celebrating our Tenth Anniversary of the Peace Drum Project in the 2009-2010 school year. We are planning a number of special events around the anniversary, so look for news and bulletins from us in the coming months! We will be looking for all kinds of volunteer help from publicizing project activities to working with the teens and elders, so if you're interested in volunteering, contact Susan at 617-524-6378. There are still a couple of program slots open for next year, so Boston teens interested in applying to the project can fill out an application at http://www.tribal-rhythms.org/drum_teen./application.htm.
Check out photos of last year's drums and the new elder's stories at
http://www.tribal-rhythms.org/drum_exhibit.html.
To see the Dancing Drums banner made by the teens and program artists last year on AminahsWorld website. The banner was exhibited at the Gardner Museum but was inspired by the work of Aminah Brenda Robinson of Columbus, Ohio.
http://aminahsworld.org/teach/responses.php.
Thanks to our 2009 funders including: The Janey Fund, Alice Willard Dorr Foundation, Boston Cultural Council, the John H. and H. Naomi Tomfohrde Foundation, and many generous individual donors.
Memorial for Charley:
As many of you know, we have been discussing the creation of a Memorial Tree Grove in Franklin Park as a way to remember Charley’s life and work, and to honor his memory in a way he would have loved. We have established a scholarship for The Peace Drum Project, but this is a broader way of remembering Charley’s connection to the Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and Dorchester communities. He spent a lot of time appreciating and enjoy the beauty of our incredible park during his lifetime, and this will be a lovely way to remember his creative and energetic presence among us still. The planning process has been slow, because it is a public park, but the process is moving forward and we have chosen a site for plantings and a sitting area. We will keep you posted about the memorial so you can join us for the dedication ceremony if you would like to be there.
Board of Directors:
We have been working with a wonderful new Intern from Boston College's Carroll School of Management this year, and we've invited Robert J. Choi to join the Board of Directors. In addition to his service on the Board, Robbie will be continuing his Internship as Susan's assistant, and as Special Projects Assistant working with Board member Patricia Nassau and others.
CommunityWorks:
CAI is part of CommunityWorks, a cooperative fundraising effort among 32 grass roots organizations committed to finding immediate and long-range solutions to social problems. Supporting CW through workplace payroll contributions is like investing in a whole portfolio of organizations committed to social justice and economic change. And now, you can help CommunityWorks when you make purchases at Amazon.com. It's easy! Just go to CW's website, click on the Amazon button, and begin your shopping from there. http://www.communityworks.com
Volunteer Opportunities & Internships:
CAI needs volunteers to help with office administration, grants development, and program support. If you have a few hours, or a day a week, and you would like to help out with long or short term tasks such as on-line research, data entry, program mailings or phone calls, give us a call at 617-524-6378. CAI Internships offer college and graduate students and opportunity to learn and develop their skills in marketing, public relations, grants development, management, and program development. Check out Internships on our website at http://www.tribal-rhythms.org/intern.html. or call Susan at 617-524-6378.
Events & Announcements:
• SAVE THE DATE: CAI's Annual Yard Sale Fundraiser,
Saturday, September 26, 10:00AM-4:00PM (Rain date 9/27)
• Hear Curtis Jones talking about Tribal Rhythms®
with Michael Koran on BlipTV (http://michaelkoran.blip.tv/2377516/)
News:
Tribal Rhythms®:
Tribal Rhythms was recently awarded a BPS Arts Expansion Grant to work at the Charles Taylor School in Dorchester for the coming school year. The Partnership for Whole School Change has worked with the Taylor School for the past three years, and this project will allow CAI to build on that foundation.
This project will focus on students in grades 1 and 2 and provide dance and drumming experiences that enhance hands-on learning in language, social studies, math, science and physical development. Children will work with artists who are highly skilled in African, Afro-Caribbean, and African American dance and drumming, and they will learn about the cultural heritage of the art forms.
Curtis Jones, Wyoma, and Cornell Coley will be the primary artists offering instruction to the students. The BPS Expansion Arts Fund is sponsored by: the Barr Foundation, The Boston Foundation, EdVestors, the Hunt Alternatives Fund and the Klarman Family Foundation. for more information about the project, contact Curtis at 617-524-6378.
During the last school year, Tribal Rhythms Touring and Residency Programs served over 12,000 children in schools and at community sites throughout Eastern MA, reaching into communities as diverse as Worcester, Lowell, Wareham, and Wilbraham. For the 2010 school year, programs are already scheduled for the Tribal Rhythms Celebration and The Story of The Weakest and The Strongest. Our touring programs help schools and after-school programs strengthen their sense of community and help children learn the values of caring, cooperation and respect. Activities use the Arts to help schools address a range of issues from bullying and cliques to empowering children with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Tribal Rhythms is FUN, but it is also one of CAI's key tools for addressing some of today's most urgent problems created by family and community fragmentation. To learn more, call CAI at 617-524-6378, or go to http://www.tribal-rhythms.org.
CAI's Tribal Rhythms Creative Schools Project with the Doran School in Fall River will be resuming in the fall. This project is funded under the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Creative Schools Program.
Tribal Rhythms Community Partnership:
The Tribal Rhythms Community Partnership provides professional development, curriculum workshops, and residency programs to 11 Boston area OST programs. The project helps after-school staff use the Tribal Rhythms curriculum as a thematic framework for organizing activities and techniques that help children develop positive behavior. The project provides an early intervention violence prevention strategy that helps children build self-esteem and confidence, resolve conflicts peacefully, develop leadership and critical-thinking skills, and learn to express themselves through performing and visual arts. Recent workshops at Hawthorne Youth & Community Center in Roxbury helped to strengthen community-building and Peace-making skills for HYCC children ages 5-12. Staff Training and summer camp sessions at For Kids Only this summer also provided Tribal Rhythms arts and group building experiences for children in Winthrop and Revere. For more information about TRCP, call CAI at 617-524-6378 or go to http://www.tribal-rhythms.org/trcp.html.
The Partnership to Achieve Whole School Change:
The Summer Institute of Peaceable Schools and Communities (PS&C) in July offered a powerful conference entitled: Connecting Across Generations. CAI maintains a close relationship with PS&C through our Partnership for Whole School Change, as both organizations share a mutual desire to help schools create just and peaceful learning communities. Curtis Jones, Partnership Director, and CAI Co-founder, also serves as an Adjunct Board member of PS&C where he works with other Board members to design and produce the Summer Institute with Lesley University. Through his programmatic offerings, CAI provided transformational drama and music experiences that helped participants from different generations connect in meaningful ways.
The Obama election campaign demonstrated the power of cross-generational organizing for change, and inspired Peaceable Schools to make connecting across different generations a core idea of this year's summer institute. The event drew a record number of youths who, together with participants of all ages, took part in empowering workshops, inspiring keynotes, and intimacy-building reflection and connection groups. Using Open Space Technology, participants chose and examined their own issues and topics inspired by the institute and their own life experiences.
The Peace Drum Project:
Last year's Peace Drum Project wrapped up with a flurry of creative activity from our annual awards and celebration of the Elder's stories, to an exhibit of drums and banners at the Jamaica Plain branch of the Boston Public Library, to the teens artwork being part of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum's Community Creations exhibit Now, after this very exciting year, we are looking forward to celebrating our Tenth Anniversary of the Peace Drum Project in the 2009-2010 school year. We are planning a number of special events around the anniversary, so look for news and bulletins from us in the coming months! We will be looking for all kinds of volunteer help from publicizing project activities to working with the teens and elders, so if you're interested in volunteering, contact Susan at 617-524-6378. There are still a couple of program slots open for next year, so Boston teens interested in applying to the project can fill out an application at http://www.tribal-rhythms.org/drum_teen./application.htm.
Check out photos of last year's drums and the new elder's stories at
http://www.tribal-rhythms.org/drum_exhibit.html.
To see the Dancing Drums banner made by the teens and program artists last year on AminahsWorld website. The banner was exhibited at the Gardner Museum but was inspired by the work of Aminah Brenda Robinson of Columbus, Ohio.
http://aminahsworld.org/teach/responses.php.
Thanks to our 2009 funders including: The Janey Fund, Alice Willard Dorr Foundation, Boston Cultural Council, the John H. and H. Naomi Tomfohrde Foundation, and many generous individual donors.
Memorial for Charley:
As many of you know, we have been discussing the creation of a Memorial Tree Grove in Franklin Park as a way to remember Charley’s life and work, and to honor his memory in a way he would have loved. We have established a scholarship for The Peace Drum Project, but this is a broader way of remembering Charley’s connection to the Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and Dorchester communities. He spent a lot of time appreciating and enjoy the beauty of our incredible park during his lifetime, and this will be a lovely way to remember his creative and energetic presence among us still. The planning process has been slow, because it is a public park, but the process is moving forward and we have chosen a site for plantings and a sitting area. We will keep you posted about the memorial so you can join us for the dedication ceremony if you would like to be there.
Board of Directors:
We have been working with a wonderful new Intern from Boston College's Carroll School of Management this year, and we've invited Robert J. Choi to join the Board of Directors. In addition to his service on the Board, Robbie will be continuing his Internship as Susan's assistant, and as Special Projects Assistant working with Board member Patricia Nassau and others.
CommunityWorks:
CAI is part of CommunityWorks, a cooperative fundraising effort among 32 grass roots organizations committed to finding immediate and long-range solutions to social problems. Supporting CW through workplace payroll contributions is like investing in a whole portfolio of organizations committed to social justice and economic change. And now, you can help CommunityWorks when you make purchases at Amazon.com. It's easy! Just go to CW's website, click on the Amazon button, and begin your shopping from there. http://www.communityworks.com
Volunteer Opportunities & Internships:
CAI needs volunteers to help with office administration, grants development, and program support. If you have a few hours, or a day a week, and you would like to help out with long or short term tasks such as on-line research, data entry, program mailings or phone calls, give us a call at 617-524-6378. CAI Internships offer college and graduate students and opportunity to learn and develop their skills in marketing, public relations, grants development, management, and program development. Check out Internships on our website at http://www.tribal-rhythms.org/intern.html. or call Susan at 617-524-6378.
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