Multi-year program engages Scarborough children with a broad range of arts disciplines
“Kaleidoscope: Intercultural Arts Program launched this fall and is now concluding the first of five placements in Scarborough elementary schools. For the past 6 weeks, Kaleidoscope staff and guest artists have been working 2 days a week with Ms. Rotas’ grade 3 class at Warden Avenue PS. During each three hour class, the students have explored a range of artistic forms including visual arts, drama, music, creative movement/dance and digital arts. Classes are led by professional artists, including Marvin Ismael, Canadian actor and playwright, and Dancer/Dj Sheldon Forde.
The Warden Avenue PS showcase, scheduled for Wednesday December 19th, will feature the retelling of a Native American folk tale and will incorporate many of the art forms explored through the program.
Kaleidoscope is a five-year program created by Scarborough Arts, serving under-served communities in Scarborough. The program was developed after a year-long needs and capacity building study which found that, despite the fact that Scarborough contains some of the most diverse neighbourhoods and schools in Canada, arts and cultural programs are limited, particularly for newcomers, youth and culturally-diverse communities. In response, Kaleidiscope integrates arts disciplines to expose children to different ways of life and creative expression. Each session highlight stories and experiences of coming to Canada and emphasize intercultural dialogue and exchange.
In 2012-13, Kaleidscope will be working with the following schools: Warden Woods Public School, Silver Springs Public School, Military Trail Public School, St. Dunstan Catholic School, and St. Boniface Catholic School.
Steering Committee & Advisory Committee Members: Scarborough Arts, Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, Catholic Cross Cultural Services, Harmony Movement, Diaspora Dialogues, Mural Routes.
Kaleidoscope is made possible by a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
About Scarborough Arts
Scarborough Arts is a not-for-profit community arts organization with the mandate to serve Scarborough and east Toronto. SA provides programs and services to promote and encourage development and involvement in the arts, for the benefit of artists and the community. www.scarborougharts.com
-submitted by Tim Whalley, Executive Director, Scarborough Arts
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