TO EDUCATE YOU
The United Children of the Arts
Situation
The Panamanian childhood represents one of the most valuable human resources of our nation. When considering the integral education of the children; the educational settings of the public schools, especially those located in the less fortunate areas of country, are lacking a program to prompt the creativity of the individual. This program was designed to help foster the artistic, creative, and cultural weakness that are inherent in the educational system; as well as to instill scientific nature within the infancy and adolescence of the less privileged children in our community. We have selected the Province of Colon in order to bring the privilege of art to the entire community as well as to those across the nation.
Solution
“Educarte”(To Educate you The United Children by the Art) was designed as an educational program, that prompts the integral development of the arts through the educational workshops in which physical, literary, and artificial expression are offered to encourage the children to stimulate the creative potential within them; giving as a direct result, the strengthening of all the areas of learning while at the same time fortifying the values within the human being, which is essential for the integral development of our Panamanian youths.
Objective
To offer equal development opportunities to the Panamanian adolescence and children; to forge individuals with high self-esteem, and respect for their own cultural identity; to generate opportunities of scientific and artistic development; to prevent the social problems inherent in the community; to motivate the participation of the encumbered children; to provide those who suffer from health problem, a place to express themselves; to provide a space which emphasizes the importance of the artistic values instilled within the human being.
Precedent
The children discovered their creative potential as they created magnificent works of art. They fortified the human values that the program imparts, and above all, they applied it to the workshops. They seemed to enjoy the trips to the museum in Panama, as well as to the workshops in Colón. These trips inspired feelings of pride and accomplishment in their final productions, which were presented in the final exhibition of the program. As the program neared its final days, we noticed improvement in the artistic production of the children as well as in the interaction between one another.
Proposal
The Museum of Contemporary Art invites you to participate in the “Educarte” program during the 2007 year. Join us in motivating the Panamanian youth so they may benefit from the developmental opportunities that are offered through the museum, and in utilizing the arts as a valuable vehicle of prevention, elevation of the self-esteem, and expansion in order to awaken the creative potential of the human being. This objective is directed towards groups of children that live together within marginalized environments, problematic areas, or those that suffer from disability complications as well as to the children that face issues of social distress. We have had the satisfaction to see the children of Colón benefit immensely from the program. Additionally, by allowing these artistically talented children, who suffer from social distress, to express themselves within a healthy learning environment; we know that we will be able to help prevent hardships in the future by offering a healthy and educational dose of the arts. It is in this way that we believe that we are helping to shape and mold the Panamanian leaders of tomorrow.
The “Educarte” program
“Educarte” is an educational program directed towards the Panamanian adolescents. Their objective is involved with the integral development of the capacities and dexterities of the Panamanian youth, especially the less fortunate; while at the same time promoting the formation of new talents and ultimately awakening the artistic nature within the individual. The program is designed so that the children can explore and discover their creative potential through a pedagogical and academic program that covers the diverse and various artistic expressions offered such as: Sculpture, ceramics, painting, engraving (monotype), silkscreen, theater, graphics design, and literature.
Emotional development
In the emotional and academic aspect; it has been demonstrated that art prompts the individual to express their feelings and to focus on their problems. This leads to the development of their artistic abilities while promoting their individual growth. An improvement in their communications helps them to identify their areas of conflict while elevating their self-esteem. This ultimately leads to the discovery of the artist within them.
Cultural development
On an educational and cultural level “Educarte” is the opportunity to familiarize the youth with their cultural identities, as well as with the extensive spectrum within the world of art.
Development of Human Values
The Program sensitizes the children to discover the importance, the practice and the strengthening of the human values such as: equity, generosity, and equality of opportunities; harmony, uprightness and respect; to love thy neighbor as thy self, the importance of community work, and the knowledge and appreciation of their cultural identity.
Reach and projection
The program is a sustainable project that is carried out mostly in the capital, as well as within spaces of the Museum. The project also extends to El Valle located in Anton as well as to the province of Colon. We also have planed to expand “Educarte” toward other provinces in the near future.
Calendar
The educational programs and workshops given during the school year help with development of the Museum as well as with the aid of the diverse groups of children who visit weekly.
Groups of 25 children, from marginalized public schools, attend with the objective that all the children will receive the privileges of the “Educarte” program. This, of course, includes the children that face disability or illnesses problems, as well as the children without any distinctions at all. This action is ultimately directed towards the purpose of filling in the gaps and forging excellent citizens for the future.
In June of 2004 we initiated the “Art Therapy” program which was oriented towards those that face illnesses such as cancer. In the following years the program continued utilizing the arts as an important vehicle in “Art Therapy.” This fortified the program in order to benefit those that encounter painful situations, such as the processing of various illnesses; thus the alliance with Casita de Mausi was renewed in the year 2006. They were more than convinced of the extraordinary results in the spiritual improvement, self-esteem and intellectual advancement that were present within the encumbered individuals after forming Art Therapy.
Beneficiaries
The program “Educarte” is focused on offering social, cultural, and educational benefits to the Panamanian community. The children of the Panamanian community as well as the clients that sponsor the young children, whether they are of trivial areas, have problems with disabilities, or face illnesses; are the ones whom receive the opportunities and benefits that the arts offer.
“Educarte” is characterized for being the one called to educate, to Alleviate and to Prevent the social problems of the nation; especially that of the less fortunate. The program has developed a solid base for the teaching and application of diverse techniques and artistic expressions. The program has, in and of itself, transformed into a vehicle of creative, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual expression.