Early Childhood Dance and Theatre Arts

What the project is
Artistes in residence and Performing Arts after School Activities (AIR & PAASA) Early Childhood Dance and Theatre Arts (ECDTA) include a selection of schools in Kingston and St. Andrew that generally enjoy the challenge and excitement of preparing their students to have a holistic education. Participants are trained in preparation for involvement in school programs and also in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Dance Festivals and other areas of the arts depending on the program being delivered.

Now In its second year, AIR & PAASA has two groups of early childhood dance theatre programs in Kingston. Over the summer many of the children between the ages of 2 to 13 years, worked with project coordinator Kofi Walker in dance and will continue to do so over the academic year. The aim is to bring high quality performances into the venues and provide opportunities for children, staff and families to participate in creative activities and experiences .The project also offers training for artists and early years’ practitioners. This year, AIR & PAASA will continue to deliver unique arts opportunities to early childhood programs and also develop the network to reach new groups of children and families.

This academic year is underway, plans are for a school parade in west rural St. Andrew. On December 3rd, 2011 revelers from the Mt. James All Age School will March from Mt. Prospect to Mt. Airy where a performance will ensue. December 7th, Rosedale Basic School will be having their end of term Christmas concert and the Jamaica House Basic School date will be confirmed later. We hope to involve all schools in these events. Parents please complete the slip on page 2 to receive regular update by email.

More about the AIR & PAASA ECDTA
Due to challenges faced by this association, our team is supporting two of the three schools we are currently networking with. AIR & PAASA engage independent artistes to work in our existing arts program in Kingston and west rural St. Andrew, they are required to make recommendations on how to further develop and improve this practice. My report highlighted the enormous potential for the arts to enhance the quality of life for rural communities. Despite this report and numerous grant applications, I have not procured funding to enhance our rural arts program for our activities for this academic year.

Strengthen, Sustain, Expand
The main objective is to strengthen, expand and to help sustain arts activity within rural and urban communities; with a focus on west rural St. Andrew that has little or no building based arts infrastructure. To provide a programme of professional arts activities (e.g. performances, workshops, training) and to support the communities involved in developing structured arts activities. The ECDTA is one of few similar schemes operating nationally. The ECDTA is run by AIR & PAASA Foundation, a registered company of Jamaica. Currently the schools that are a part of our forum are:
Jamaica House Basic School
Rosedale Basic School
Happy Hearts Prep School
Mt. James Primary School
Stony Hill Prep & Learning Center
YMCA - Kingston

I anticipate two new partners in the coming months. Also the JCDC dance workshops are coming up in Port Maria and Portland so check with your JCDC local offices for info re the workshops.

Mini Theatre Arts Network
AIR & PAASA hopes to develop a Mini Theatre Arts Network of early years schools who come together to deliver theatre, dance and music performances and workshops for very young children. The Mini Theatre Arts Network is a new idea, hence I would like parents to assist with the production of this to ensure the best outcome. Through AIR & PAASA the Network has 3 schools 1 in west rural St. Andrew and 2 in Kingston. As we expand this program we hope to involve early year's departments of schools, children's centres, nurseries, child minders and play groups. The performances and activities are specifically created for children aged between 2 - 6 years. The Mini Theatre Arts Network will deliver performances twice a year. As this program develop, we hope to include a festival of early year's theatre and at least one piece of work from an artist or company from culturally diverse background.

One day from each residency is set aside as an inset training day. The visiting company / artiste deliver a day’s training to early years staff and practitioners to help explore and develop skills in using performing arts within their own programmes of early years work.

Rural Youth Project
The rural youth project in Golden Spring is at a halt. Relations with centre coordinators soured after stolen items belonging to AIR & PAASA were not returned as promised; in addition to this, there were a number of other safety issues. This is unfortunate as the youth group ‘Progressive Dancers’ were beginning to attract interests among other youngsters in the community. The younger children will have to wait for January to see the revival of this particular activity.

Artists in the ECDTA
AIR & PAASA is in the process of creating new partnerships with independent arts workers and organizations with an interest in arts education. We are looking to work with musician, writers and youth workers, who will assist us in delivering theatre, music, dance and live literature. Companies and individuals wishing to submit an interest in joining this network should contact me on the numbers or email address below. Joining our team this year are dance teachers Mr. Verman Thomas and Ms. Maxine Buntam both are based at the Jamaica House Basic School, Tamika Coke will join the Team at Rosedale Basic School.

Mentoring Project
AIR & PAASA ECDTA is introducing a mentorship scheme in partnership with Dunoon Technical High School; one or two students from Dunoon Technical who have been participating in our rural dance theater programs will be given an opportunity to work with our early childhood dance and theatre arts program. Tamika Coke is selected as the current mentee for AIR & PAASA 2011/12 activities.

Contact Details
To contact us about the program or related projects please contact Kofi Walker or +876 405-2800 or email airpaasa@yahoo.com

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