Most children's charities treat physical needs..but what about their emotional needs?

The Australian Children's Music Foundation (ACMF) raises this very important question.

'The ACMF is a not-for-profit organisation that provides music instruments and programs for disadvantaged and Indigenous children and youth in schools, remote communities and juvenile justice centres across Australia. Research has proven that participation in music has a significant impact on a child’s mental health and development.' - ACMF

Just Art for a Just City

An interesting read.....

Just Art for a Just City: Public Art and Social Inclusion in Urban Regeneration

Author: Joanne Sharp, Venda Pollock and Ronan Paddison

Urban Studies, Vol. 42, Nos 5/6, 1001– 1023, May 2005

Desert Pea Media

I was first drawn to Desert Pea Media when I heard about their Hip-Hop program. However upon closer investigation this program is just the tip of the iceberg of the invaluable work this organisation does for remote indigenous communities in Australia.

Desert Pea Media is an incorporated, non-profit association established in 2002 as a tool to bring people of all cultures together in Australia through art and storytelling, with a focus on remote and isolated communities.

'Directed by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, they facilitate media and arts programs in remote communities around Australia and the world.' - Desert Pea Media

Study the art of inclusion in Brighton

At the University of Brighton in the UK you can study a Masters in Inclusive Arts Practice.

'Our Inclusive Arts Practice MA at the University of Brighton is aimed at artists or individuals with an arts background who are working in the arts, health, education or community sector.'

Where the hell is Matt?

This guy will make you want to jump up and start busting a move. He is living proof of how the arts (in this case the art of dance) can rapidly inject such positive energy into a community. Just goes to show that the simplest ideas are often the most effective and profound.

http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/

musica viva - music to inspire

Earlier this year I worked with Karen Kyriakou from musica viva through the 'musician in the classroom program' while working as the Performing Arts Coordinator at Richmond West Primary School, Melbourne.

At Richmond West there are many children that can benefit greatly from a program such as this especially those living in the neighboring housing commission blocks.

I learnt a great deal from Karen about how to make music more accessible for kids especially through body and instrumental percussion. For our grade 3/4 classes the goal was for the children to compose their own percussion piece, I would then record these pieces and use them as the basis for two online videos. Our grade 6 class had the same goal in addition to composing their graduation song with the help of Karen's expertise in composition.

I was inspired to hear of Karen's past teaching experiences, delivering inclusive music programs for children from other lower socioeconomic areas in Melbourne as well children with special needs.

See below two animations I produced based on the percussion pieces the children created with Karen.



Year 5 Percussion Music Video - Musica Viva 2011 from Richmond West PS on Vimeo.


Year 6 Percussion Music Video - Musica Viva from Richmond West PS on Vimeo.

Crocheting recycled bags generates income for Gambian Women

Recycling by crocheting plastic bags lays the foundation for a brilliant community arts project. Not only does such a project promote environmentally sustainable practice but it provides developing communities with entrepreneurial opportunities as demonstrated in this video from Gambia Rising. When searching crocheting plastic bags on Youtube I found a number of examples of non profits using this technique as well as instructional videos to get you started.