Arts and Culture Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Project #15455

St. Vincent Teaching Art to Children

by Youlou Arts Foundation Inc.

Summary

The program focuses on teaching children about local traditional art and culture, also providing a broader exposure to art in general, including different media and techniques. This is achieved by collaborating with various artists from different parts of the world. It is aimed at reaching the most economically disadvantaged children who have little or no exposure to a visual arts education.

$30,000
total goal

$8,963
remaining

126
donors

3
monthly donors

11
years

Challenge

Youlou Arts Foundation Inc. was started in 2001 to provide art education to elementary school children and teachers who do not have access to a visual arts education. The arts are a promising place to help boost St. Vincent's newly diversifying economy. This problem is most acute in St. Vincent's rural areas, which are severely underfunded for art education and where the need to find ways to economically diversify is most present. Funding for art education to elementary school children is needed

Solution

Youlou Arts Foundation Inc. provides an art education to elementary school children. It is the only organization on the island which offers an art education. Youlou trains teachers who share their skills throughout the school year. Through access to the arts the children gain confidence in themselves and their ability to generate new ideas.This benefits all their endeavors-educational and otherwise. They learn skills which will allow them to participate in St. Vincent's new diversified economy.

Long-Term Impact

The project addresses the fact that elementary school children in the rural districts of St. Vincent do not have access to an art education. It does this directly in the summers, but since the teachers share their art making skills throughout the year more children are impacted. The arts help children to be motivated, imaginative, and innovative, valuable tools for implementing change in society.They learn vital life skills. Currently we cater for 160 children and 20 teachers.