Sheroes/Heroes of the African Diaspora (Dance & Music)
Through cultural arts education including Afro-Haitian drumming, Afro-Puerto Rican Dance, and Capoeira Martial Arts, students learn about different cultural and historical icons that contributed to advancing the social, political, and cultural life of African Descendants throughout the Americas. All programs are tailored to fit the needs and cultures of each school community, including which countries to focus on and which art forms to be explored.
African By Legacy: __________ By Birth (Visual Arts)
Using the exhibition African By Legacy/Mexican By Birth that opens at the Caribbean Cultural Center in January of 2006, students will explore their personal identity as African descendants. The programs will target building linkages and solidarity between communities divided along historical, racial, geographic or other lines. Building bridges between the past, present, and future realities of all people will be prioritized through cultural arts with a strong emphasis on media. Examples of communities building bridges are Mexican-Puerto Rican, Haitian-Dominican, African-American-African, etc. Art forms highlighted will include photographic or painted portraits, mural making, t-shirt and print-making, etc.
A+ = Arts & Academics
Students will learn about cultural arts of the African Diaspora while simultaneously reinforcing the academic subjects taught in the classroom. Incorporating the Learning Standards of the Department of Education, students will learn concepts in science, english language arts, foreign language, mathematics, or history through dance, music, literacy, and visual arts. Common explorations can be Hip Hop Poetry and English Language Arts, Physics and Capoeira, Biology and Praying Mantis Martial Art, Arithmetic and Drumming, History and Dance, Chemistry and Herbal Medicine making, etc.
The Arts of Resistance
Designed to make social justice organizing and leadership development fun for youth, students will learn and practice 1-3 cultural arts to strengthen their individual and community participation in social justice movements. Highlighting art forms that build self-esteem, skills, individual and community power, participants will use these art forms to address and dismantle the systems of oppression (Sexism, Racism, Classism, Ageism, Homophobia, etc.) Special attention will be paid to cultural arts that foster teamwork, build discipline and self-defense, articulate socially just behavior and standards, and positively benefit the community. Common art forms explored can be the revolutionary songs of Haiti and Dominican Republic, African derived martial arts, the political poet and MC, dances of female empowerment, etc.
Oral Traditions Literacy Program: Anthology or CD
Drawing upon the rich heritage of African-based oral traditions such as storytelling, proverbs, metaphoric constructions and language improvisations, our oral literacy program incorporates traditions that make learning reading and writing skills exciting and enjoyable. Students are exposed to Diaspora storytelling and song workshops as well as to community-based writers and poets. Additionally, students are drawn into learning using their own frame of reference ie. Positive word play from Hip-Hop culture (Rap music). The program’s central project is the completion and production of student anthologies or CD audio recordings.
In-Class International Museum Project
Transforming the classroom into a “museum,” students embark on a hands-on global experience by creating multiple visual arts projects. through workshops such as instrument making, mask making, traditional dress making, calligraphy, contemporary wood sculpture, students experience the history and culture of three global communities A wonderful collection of cultural artifacts is created for the classroom “museum,” and parents and teachers celebrate student accomplishments during the “museum opening celebration”. Language arts are incorporated into the program with students writing experience based “museum” reports on the artifacts they create.
