Make do Tell Nepal2018www.artistsincommunity.me Go to our website for details
ARTISTS IN COMMUNITY INTERNATIONAL
LAUNCHES MAKE DO TELL 2018 IN JANUARY 2018 WE WILL BE SPENDING ALL OUR TIME IN NEPAL; RETURNING TO CONTINUE THE WORK WITH SOME FAMILIAR COMMUNITIES AND ORGANISATIONS, AND STARTING UP PROJECTS WITH NEW ONES.WORDPRESS.COM/VIEW/ARTISTSINCOMMUNITY.ME
LAUNCHES MAKE DO TELL 2018 IN JANUARY 2018 WE WILL BE SPENDING ALL OUR TIME IN NEPAL; RETURNING TO CONTINUE THE WORK WITH SOME FAMILIAR COMMUNITIES AND ORGANISATIONS, AND STARTING UP PROJECTS WITH NEW ONES.WORDPRESS.COM/VIEW/ARTISTSINCOMMUNITY.ME
This picture is of a project I co-ran the brick factories in Nepal during January/February 2017. Many of the children here do not attend school and have to work in these very difficult circumstances to help support their families.
Our project has two main purposes. The first is to bring joy and laughter into these children’s lives. The second is to introduce them to a learning environment.
You might be interested in reading more about these project on www.artistsincommunty.me
Our project has two main purposes. The first is to bring joy and laughter into these children’s lives. The second is to introduce them to a learning environment.
You might be interested in reading more about these project on www.artistsincommunty.me
artistsincommunity.me/2017/03/27/a-look-back-make-do-tell-2017-short-video/
CREATING PLAYING AND PERFORMING AT MGIs
LATEST FROM ARTISTS IN COMMUNITY INTERNATIONAL2017
WE HAVE HAD A LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP WITH MGIS STARTING IN 2006, WHEN I RAN DRAMA WORKSHOPS IN COMMEDIA DELL’ARTE AND MASK WITH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. THEY HAVE BEEN STRONG SUPPORTERS OF OUR WORK AND ARE FIRM BELIEVERS IN THE VALUE OF ARTS AND EDUCATION. THIS YEAR ANJU CHAZOT, THE CO-FOUNDER AND INSPIRED TEACHER OF THE SCHOOL, WITH A PASSION FOR THEATRE, WAS KEEN TO USE ROLE-PLAY, MIME AND IMPROVISATION TO CREATE SHORT PLAYS FROM THE COMPLETE PANCHATANTRA, KNOWN AS ONE OF THE OLDEST COLLECTION OF CHILDREN’ STORIES IN THE WORLD. SHE SUGGESTED I RUN A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WITH THE TEACHERS, ENABLING THEM TO USE THE TECHNIQUES TO CREATE WORK WITH THEIR STUDENTS. THESE TECHNIQUES GIVE PERFORMERS THE ABILITY TO JUMP FROM STORYTELLER TO THE CHARACTERS IN THE TALE. WITH THE USE OF PHYSICAL EXPRESSION THEY MAY ALSO BE ABLE TO DESCRIBE THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE TALE USING MIME AND MOVEMENT EXPRESSION. FOR EXAMPLE USING THEIR BODIES TO BECOME A TREE, A LAKE OR RIVER. THIS BRINGS TO LIFE SOME OF THE DETAIL TO THE ORIGINAL STORY. AFTER A FEW WARM UP GAMES THAT GETS THE PARTICIPANTS PHYSICAL AND PLAYFUL, WE STARTED WORK ON THE TALES AT FIRST THEY FOUND IT DIFFICULT, WANTING, JUST TO TELL THE STORY THROUGH WORDS , BUT SLOWLY REALIZED THEIR ABILITY TO USE THEIR BODY. IN THE MIDST OF MUCH JOY AND LAUGHTER THEY WERE ABLE TO PLAY ANIMALS AND BIRDS, AND PORTRAY RIVERS AND LANDSCAPES TURNING TO DROUGHT. THE TEACHERS THEN WONDERED IF THIS WOULD BE TOO DIFFICULT FOR STUDENTS TO PERFORM AND WERE WORRIED THE CHILDREN MAY NOT BE HEARD, AS THEY COULD NOT PROJECT THEIR VOICES. THEY NEED NOT HAVE FEARED. THE STUDENTS TOOK TO THE TECHNIQUES AS QUICKLY AS THE TEACHERS HAD I WAS ABLE TO RECOGNISE ONE YOUNG GIRL WHO HAD A STRONG VOICE AND AN INNATE ABILITY TO JUMP FROM CHARACTER TO CHARACTER. WITH TIME AND SOME REHEARSAL STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO PERFORM THESE STORIES FOR THE WIDER SCHOOL AND THEIR PARENTS. I WAS ALSO ASKED TO RUN CLOWNING AND PHYSICAL COMEDY WORKSHOPS WITH THE OLDER THEATRE STUDENTS. MANY OF WHOM I HAVE HAD IN PREVIOUS YEARS AND THEY UNDERSTOOD THE PHYSICAL AND PLAYFUL NATURE OF MY CLASSES. THIS TIME WE DECIDED TO CREATE SOME SIMPLE CLOWN ROUTINES THAT COULD BE PERFORMED IN THE LOCAL VILLAGES THAT FORM PART OF THE CITY OF AHMEDABAD. IN DEVISING THE ROUTINES I ASKED THE STUDENTS TO BE AWARE OF THE STATUS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEIR CLOWN CHARACTERS. A TOPIC WHICH HAS A LOT OF RELEVANCE HERE. I BASED THE ROUTINES AROUND “THE PARK BENCH” AND AT THE SAME TIME TAUGHT THEM THE SOME BASIC SLAPSTICK WHICH THEY COULD PUT TO GOOD USE IN THEIR ROUTINES. AT FIRST I INSISTED ON NO DIALOGUE IN THE IMPROVISATIONS, AND ENCOURAGED STRONG PHYSICAL GESTURES IN THEIR CLOWN CHARACTERS. THIS GOT THE STUDENTS TO LOSE THEIR INHIBITIONS AND ENJOY PLAYING THE FOOL. I LOVE TELLING STUDENTS THIS IS THE CLASS WHERE IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE SILLY! AS THEY BECAME MORE CONFIDENT IN WHAT THEY WERE DOING, I BROUGHT BACK THE DIALOGUE, IN THEIR MOTHER TONGUE, WHICH FOR MOST OF THEM, IS GUJARATI. THE RESULTS WERE HILARIOUS. I THINK WITH SOME MORE REHEARSAL THEY WILL HAVE SOME FABULOUS PIECES TO PERFORM FOR THE COMMUNITIES THAT LIVE AROUND THEM.
AICI Make Do Tell By Anne Riggs
Well, dear Friends and Supporters, it has been an interesting start to MakeDoTell 2017!
We landed in India a few weeks ago into a situation where there is little cash available through banks and ATMs as the government is trying to de-monetorise the economy. Like last year when we landed in Nepal when there was no fuel, we are seeing how a country is affected when these things we take for granted are not easily available. Long queues form at ATMs and people can spend many hours in search of one that has cash. Unfortunately, our much-loved project in the Saltpans was cancelled at the last minute as our local people were no longer available to help us – particularly with translation. We always work closely with local people as their knowledge and connections make the project meaningful and sustainable; without them, it is just not possible to run a project – especially in these remote rural communities. We rescheduled our program and were made very welcome at the Mahatma Gandhi International School in Ahmedabad, where we have run many arts workshops with students and teachers over the last few years. We had intended to come here later to help them with their community engagement projects, but at this time we are helping teachers develop art and drama skills. MGIS is a very progressive, socially-aware school who collaborate broadly and with very disadvantaged schools and communities, including schools in the salt pans. It may be that in a few weeks we will collaborate with them on one of their projects in the salt pans. We hope so. |
Artists In community international Launching Make do Tell 2017 |
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AICI looking for proposals for 2017
Artists In Community International present a showcase Make Do Tell 3 on Tuesday April 12th Go to
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Artists in Community International
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Make DO Tell at The Sandpit
MELBOURNE, 29 March 2015. : The Sandpit, 148A Barkly Street, St Kilda. 3pmPlease join us for a presentation about MAKE DO TELL, our recent art and drama project tour in India and Nepal.
A community afternoon, beautiful photos, wine, tea and coffee, delicious snacks, a glimpse into the two months we spent working in the Saltpans, the Brick Kilns, with Street Children, Unatti, Mahatma Gandhi International School, Nepal School of Social Work … A conversation about the place artists have in community development. A conversation about the place individuals have in supporting others explore their creativity, learn and feel part of a community.
Make Do Tell supporters will be presented with their gifts of thanks.
See the details in this pdf. Make do Tell invite 2015. All are welcome; we would appreciate you letting us know if you are coming for catering purposes. [email protected]
AICI at Arts Play. 2nd March 2015 5:30pm to 7pm
Art and Trauma: March 2, 5.30 to 7pmArtists in Community International bring art out of traditional art spaces to inspire and educate communities, individuals and leaders.
Visual artist Anne Riggs and actor/director Alex Pinder believe that children have a right to play and learn through fun and creativity. This session will touch on Anne’s research on art and trauma and their ongoing project with vulnerable children in India and Nepal, Make Do Tell.
Visual artist Anne Riggs and actor/director Alex Pinder believe that children have a right to play and learn through fun and creativity. This session will touch on Anne’s research on art and trauma and their ongoing project with vulnerable children in India and Nepal, Make Do Tell.
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Make Do Tell 2 Going Back We are back to Nepal and India working in India For all details see www.artistsincommunity.me
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Teaching art with Anne Riggs and Artists in Community International at The Salt Pans in the Gujarat, India
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We are working with two groups of children, both of whom come from impoverished backgrounds.
The first group live in a girls’ home set up by the Unatti Foundation. The second are street
children. The 18 girls who live at Unatti Home could have expected to be a living a similar hard life on the streets, instead, they have been given a wonderful opportunity for a bright future. Some of the girls had been abandoned by their families, others had lived in over-crowded homes,or were from families who had members with a mental illness or suffered from addiction, some have lost
parents. All lived in extreme poverty.
At Unatti, they are being brought up in a loving and caring environment. There is a major
emphasis on giving the children an education that will ensure the cycle of poverty is broken. They are supported by house-mothers who guide them carefully and gently, one of whom is
currently undertaking a BA in Science. The Unatti Foundation in Nepal is managed
by Ramesh Pradhananga who is passionate about achieving change through
education.
The Unatti Home is located at the edge of the old city. We walk there down narrow pathways; pass
a weaver, a vegie garden and lots of street children. The house is tall, dark and narrow and it seems now the needs of the girls have now outgrown it. It has an energetic and homely feel. The girls can see us approaching the home from the rooftop terrace and we our arrival is heralded by shouts of “Hello brother! Hello sister!” We feel humbled by their daily welcomes.
We remove our shoes and all gather in their dining cum study room. It’s narrow with a number of bookshelves and two low tables with mats around them. It is small space and unsuitable for drama so we have been running the workshops in a shared playground outside. It is small and has a beaten earth ground - rough and uneven, a small slide, some monkey bars and lots of tyres with which neighbourhood children endlessly play.
In drama, we start with games; they help break the ice, develop a sense of a group and trust, as well as affirm the pleasure in learning. The girls already have established a very strong sense of group and appreciation of learning, so this step is mostly
about breaking the ice with us – and encouraging them to relax and have fun. As a result, we have been able to introduce a more complex series of games than I anticipated.
Actors train in Movement to learn how express themselves physically and to understand how the body moves. I introduce a number of training
exercises to open the girls to confidently use their bodies. We build on a gesture and imagination to create forests, rivers and mountains, as well as develop character and express emotion. It can be challenging for those who are not used to thinking and moving in this way, but after a week or so we can see their confidence is emerging.
A major component of drama training is Improvisation.Improvisation is about creating situations on the spot and engaging freely and quickly with others. Through teaching some basic skills in role play we are encouraging the girls to overcome their shyness and uncertainty as well as their propensity to giggle. We are aiming to get them to stand in front of others and perform with confidence.
Although their English is good, they are encouraged they improvise in Nepali so they don’t have the additional concern of translating. At first it was challenging for some to overcome their polite, demure and delightful personalities, and for others to overcome the urge to
giggle; however, by the end of one week, standing in front of others was not so daunting. We see their natural spirit and imagination emerge, and in some we see the spark of something more.
As a group, these girls are so open to what we offer them; they are prepared to try new things even when it is uncomfortable and totally unknown to them. They have been prepared to go on the journey and they are delightful to work with.
We have seen a strong commitment to the work and it will be interesting to see where it leads.
For more about Make Do Tell see www.artistsincommunity.me
The first group live in a girls’ home set up by the Unatti Foundation. The second are street
children. The 18 girls who live at Unatti Home could have expected to be a living a similar hard life on the streets, instead, they have been given a wonderful opportunity for a bright future. Some of the girls had been abandoned by their families, others had lived in over-crowded homes,or were from families who had members with a mental illness or suffered from addiction, some have lost
parents. All lived in extreme poverty.
At Unatti, they are being brought up in a loving and caring environment. There is a major
emphasis on giving the children an education that will ensure the cycle of poverty is broken. They are supported by house-mothers who guide them carefully and gently, one of whom is
currently undertaking a BA in Science. The Unatti Foundation in Nepal is managed
by Ramesh Pradhananga who is passionate about achieving change through
education.
The Unatti Home is located at the edge of the old city. We walk there down narrow pathways; pass
a weaver, a vegie garden and lots of street children. The house is tall, dark and narrow and it seems now the needs of the girls have now outgrown it. It has an energetic and homely feel. The girls can see us approaching the home from the rooftop terrace and we our arrival is heralded by shouts of “Hello brother! Hello sister!” We feel humbled by their daily welcomes.
We remove our shoes and all gather in their dining cum study room. It’s narrow with a number of bookshelves and two low tables with mats around them. It is small space and unsuitable for drama so we have been running the workshops in a shared playground outside. It is small and has a beaten earth ground - rough and uneven, a small slide, some monkey bars and lots of tyres with which neighbourhood children endlessly play.
In drama, we start with games; they help break the ice, develop a sense of a group and trust, as well as affirm the pleasure in learning. The girls already have established a very strong sense of group and appreciation of learning, so this step is mostly
about breaking the ice with us – and encouraging them to relax and have fun. As a result, we have been able to introduce a more complex series of games than I anticipated.
Actors train in Movement to learn how express themselves physically and to understand how the body moves. I introduce a number of training
exercises to open the girls to confidently use their bodies. We build on a gesture and imagination to create forests, rivers and mountains, as well as develop character and express emotion. It can be challenging for those who are not used to thinking and moving in this way, but after a week or so we can see their confidence is emerging.
A major component of drama training is Improvisation.Improvisation is about creating situations on the spot and engaging freely and quickly with others. Through teaching some basic skills in role play we are encouraging the girls to overcome their shyness and uncertainty as well as their propensity to giggle. We are aiming to get them to stand in front of others and perform with confidence.
Although their English is good, they are encouraged they improvise in Nepali so they don’t have the additional concern of translating. At first it was challenging for some to overcome their polite, demure and delightful personalities, and for others to overcome the urge to
giggle; however, by the end of one week, standing in front of others was not so daunting. We see their natural spirit and imagination emerge, and in some we see the spark of something more.
As a group, these girls are so open to what we offer them; they are prepared to try new things even when it is uncomfortable and totally unknown to them. They have been prepared to go on the journey and they are delightful to work with.
We have seen a strong commitment to the work and it will be interesting to see where it leads.
For more about Make Do Tell see www.artistsincommunity.me
Make do Tell
Project with Street Children in Nepal.
In January 2014, we are returning to Nepal to run a six-week art and drama project with street children.
These are the children who participated so enthusiastically in the Art Week we ran last December for which the Australian Government acknowledged us as
Finalists in the Australia Asia Art Award.
We are raising money for this project, which named Make do Tell and we are asking for your donation.
Why Street Children?
We have seen children who have had no access to school; we know this leaves them and their community in a cycle of poverty.
We know children thrive when they play, create and learn. Read more on www.artistsincommunity.me
What is Make Do Tell
It’s a skills based, arts and education project.
Make Do Tell - making art & theatre, making childhood fun.
Make Do Tell : doing drama and art together, learning.
Make Do Tell : being resourceful and adaptable.
Make Do Tell : Creating stories, drama& artwork of participants’ lives.
Make Do Tell : an invitation to participants to share their stories.
Why help Helping feels great.
We donate our arts services. Your donation helps by helping us get to Nepal. Your donation buys the materials. Your donation gives the children
exposure to a wide range of art and drama projects. Your donation nurtures their childhood and helps put in place the self-confidence that will propel
these children forward.
How to help Can you make a donation? Can you ask others to make a donation?
Please donate through our crowd-funding campaign
Please pass this on to others who are interested in art, education and helping children in need.
Please go to our pozible http://pozible.com/artistsincommunity
Thank You.
Anne and Alex.
Crowdfunding is
the collective effort of individuals who network and pool their money to
support efforts initiated by other people or organizations. Crowdfunding
is used in support of a wide variety of activities, including the support
of artists and community projects.
Project with Street Children in Nepal.
In January 2014, we are returning to Nepal to run a six-week art and drama project with street children.
These are the children who participated so enthusiastically in the Art Week we ran last December for which the Australian Government acknowledged us as
Finalists in the Australia Asia Art Award.
We are raising money for this project, which named Make do Tell and we are asking for your donation.
Why Street Children?
We have seen children who have had no access to school; we know this leaves them and their community in a cycle of poverty.
We know children thrive when they play, create and learn. Read more on www.artistsincommunity.me
What is Make Do Tell
It’s a skills based, arts and education project.
Make Do Tell - making art & theatre, making childhood fun.
Make Do Tell : doing drama and art together, learning.
Make Do Tell : being resourceful and adaptable.
Make Do Tell : Creating stories, drama& artwork of participants’ lives.
Make Do Tell : an invitation to participants to share their stories.
Why help Helping feels great.
We donate our arts services. Your donation helps by helping us get to Nepal. Your donation buys the materials. Your donation gives the children
exposure to a wide range of art and drama projects. Your donation nurtures their childhood and helps put in place the self-confidence that will propel
these children forward.
How to help Can you make a donation? Can you ask others to make a donation?
Please donate through our crowd-funding campaign
Please pass this on to others who are interested in art, education and helping children in need.
Please go to our pozible http://pozible.com/artistsincommunity
Thank You.
Anne and Alex.
Crowdfunding is
the collective effort of individuals who network and pool their money to
support efforts initiated by other people or organizations. Crowdfunding
is used in support of a wide variety of activities, including the support
of artists and community projects.
Dear
Friends of Artists in Community International
We are excited to launch our project Make Do
Tell and our fundraising campaign to return to Nepal for 2014.
We are asking you to be a participant in the project by making a financial contribution
to support our art and drama project with the Street Children of Bhaktapur. The project will be a wonderful six
weeks for the children to create, learn and show their work to their local
community – and most importantly, give them a creative space in which to play, explore and enjoy their childhood.
We are aiming to raise $6500 for our airfares, accommodation and art materials. Please contribute through our Make Do Tell Pozible campaign if you are able.
You can see the work we have done with this community in 2012 and the plans for our return trip starting January 2014
here www.artistsincommunity.me.
If we raise more than $6500 we will also run projects with other communities in Nepal and India. All our rewards for the
project will be sourced in Bhaktapur to support the local artisans of that city.
We will be very grateful for any support you are able to contribute and you can be assured
that it will bring much joy and pleasure to these children whose lives are very
hard. Please pass onto your friends and colleagues who may be interested in supporting Make Do Tell.
Thanks and
best wishes
Anne and
Alex
Friends of Artists in Community International
We are excited to launch our project Make Do
Tell and our fundraising campaign to return to Nepal for 2014.
We are asking you to be a participant in the project by making a financial contribution
to support our art and drama project with the Street Children of Bhaktapur. The project will be a wonderful six
weeks for the children to create, learn and show their work to their local
community – and most importantly, give them a creative space in which to play, explore and enjoy their childhood.
We are aiming to raise $6500 for our airfares, accommodation and art materials. Please contribute through our Make Do Tell Pozible campaign if you are able.
You can see the work we have done with this community in 2012 and the plans for our return trip starting January 2014
here www.artistsincommunity.me.
If we raise more than $6500 we will also run projects with other communities in Nepal and India. All our rewards for the
project will be sourced in Bhaktapur to support the local artisans of that city.
We will be very grateful for any support you are able to contribute and you can be assured
that it will bring much joy and pleasure to these children whose lives are very
hard. Please pass onto your friends and colleagues who may be interested in supporting Make Do Tell.
Thanks and
best wishes
Anne and
Alex
30th July2013 Artists in Community International are finalists in Australian Arts in Asia Awards which will be held on the 1st of August at Luna Park in Sydney! It is for our work in Nepal with The UNATTI Foundation www.unattifoundation.org
See our blog at www.artistsincommunity.me YouTube: artincommunity
