Culture in Community Contexts

Where:  Guatemala

When: July 20-August 3, 2008

What:  Cultural and Community Contexts for Art-Making is an intensive 14-day overseas travel residency course that introduces the student/participant to the meaning and function of artistic expressions within the communities of the host country.  Participants will gain first hand knowledge of the local cultural world-view, explore models of arts-based mission and service among the poor, the role of the arts in community, and the relationship between culture, art and transformation.  Specific attention will be given to cross-cultural skills and the dynamic of culture in community development.   Participants will lead a five-day arts camp for children in a slum with local Guatemalan artists.

Who:  University graduate course, visitors welcome for non-credit participation.

How Much:  $1,679.00,  excluding airfare.  Includes ALL in-country costs of food, housing and transportation, site visits, insurance. This is for 14 full days. Deadline for Deposit: $250 non-refundable deposit by May 10, 2008 

Serving at Thanksgiving in Guatemala

Where: Guatemala City, Guatemala

When:  November 22^nd to 29^th, 2008

What: For those who have a lot to be thankful for, BuildaBridge is recruiting a team of volunteers to give back to Guatemala City's impoverished children through a week long art camp. Artists will bring art to about 200 children, from ages 5 to 15, by instructing two classes a day focused on a different art form. The artists will use art-based activities, education, and therapy during Art Camp and be expected to write a curriculum for the classes they will hold during the service week.  There will also be a program held separately at a city prison working with young imprisoned gang members. The artists will help groups of 10 to 15 young prisoners to express themselves through visual art. The artists will live together in a clean and proper house. Work with improverished and at-risk youth can be very stressful to the artist and poverty and crime in Guatemala City can increase the risk of traveling in the city.  The group nature of this trip decreases this possible risk greatly.  

Who: BuildaBridge International requires artists to meet Level Two and preferably Level Three certifications (Description of Artist Certifications). Artists must be prepared to teach and guide the inmates. Proficiency in Spanish and experience working with at-risk youth is also preferred.

How much: Artists are responsible for the cost of the trip: $1500 with a non-refundable down payment of $250 due September 14^th, 2008.
 

Community Development Project for an artist in residence

When: Four month engagement (until project’s completion on September 30, 2008)

What: Artists will lead a women’s artisan cooperative and a youth after-school drama program in the small town of Panabaj that has suffered from mudslides. The Evangelical Mennonite Church of Guatemala (IEMG) wants to help the region build up tourism by designing a new jewelry (of stones and beads) and weaving products for the women’s artisan cooperative to make and sell to tourists.  The artist will also develop drama/theatre presentations with youth in the “after-school” program.  These presentations will focus on the historical cultural traditions of the native Tzutihil Mayan people and be preformed to visiting tourists. Finally, the artists will plan the exterior and interior decoration of 10 small houses that will serve as lodging for visiting tourist groups. The volunteer artist will stay in a simple, comfortable concrete block house that includes a bathroom and running water.

Who: BuildaBridge International requires artists to meet Level Two and preferably Level Three certifications (Description of Artist Certifications). The artist must be a flexible and creative person, proficient in Spanish, with experience working with marginalized communities through the arts. An educational background in the arts would be ideal, but not a necessity.

How much: IEMG will provide for the daily work costs such as local transportation, food, and lodging. The artist will be responsible for payment of the flight and additional personal travel/recreational costs.

 Music and Drama Institute

Where: Limon, Costa Rica

When: June 30^th to July 6^th, 2008

What: A team of artists will direct a week of workshops in music and theatre. Asociación Centro Teológico Bautista del Caribe is sponsoring the Christian based training and will supervise the program. There will be two sessions each day. A three hour morning program for children and a three hour evening program for teenagers and adults will have lessons in liturgical drama, dance, voice, violin, piano, guitar, saxophone, and/or drums. At the end of the week, the artists will conduct a performance featuring the Institute students. Artists will reside in comfortable hotels and home-stays.

Who: BuildaBridge International requires artists to meet Level Two certifications (Description of Artist Certifications). Artists must be prepared to serve as teachers. Proficiency in Spanish is also preferred. A Christian background is greatly appreciated, but not essential.

Cross-Cultural Discovery Tour

Where: Jaguar Creek, Belize    

When: January 3 - 13, 2008

What: BuildaBridge International invites anyone interested in discovering the culture and history of Belize while serving the local population on its upcoming  trip to the region.  Participants will volunteer, attend conferences with local leaders, and visit Mayan sites to learn about the ancient civilization. 

Who: Anyone who wants to travel and open his or her self up to a new cultural experience..

How much: Participants are responsible for the cost of the trip: $2000 with a non-refundable down payment of $250 due August 31, 2008.