Auschwitz – this word represents so much. Not a travel destination, but the acts of cruelty, for the injustice, for the suffering that the NS-regime and its supporters caused so many people in Europe.
5.6 to 6.3 million Jewish people alone were killed, and in addition members of other minorities, political opponents, resisters and people who were sick or handicapped.
As of 1940, Auschwitz I, a former military base, had been used as concentration camp. Initially for incarcerated soldiers, political opponents and criminals.
However, soon Jews from all over Europe were brought here. Since the Nazis destroyed a lot of evidence prior to their departure and the liberation of the camps Auschwitz I and Auschwitz-Birkenau, one can only estimate how many people were killed here. Today, the available material suggests that a total of 1.1 – 1.5 million people were murdered here. Testimonies of witnesses, the evaluation of evidence found on site and other indicators and documents saved prior to the destruction suggest for this number to be accurate.
In October 1941 then, the construction of the second camp, the death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, a mere 3km away from the first camp, began. At this time, experiments with the murder of humans using gas in Auschwitz I already took place. In 1942 then, one began with the industrial and systematic killing of mostly Jewish people.
1944, after Nazi-Germany invaded Hungary, additional railroad tracks were placed, now leading right into the camp. The construction assured the capacity to transport up to 17.000 Jews from Hungary into the camp, most of whom were sent to the gas chambers immediately.

Thus far the facts. But there is so much more behind those numbers and dates: People, who were first denied their rights and dignity through words. Later, they were systematically deprived, literally, of their perspectives, their possessions, families, human-dignity and ultimately of their lives.
And, of course, there were other humans who did this, with unimaginable cruelties. The first step that led towards the escalation and the genocide of millions of people, were: words.
This realization leads us to the here and now, to today, and reminds us to choose our words carefully: phrases and jokes, made without thinking about their consequences, made by public figures and politicians, for instance in order to gain support and votes in the upcoming election. So, the horrible memories of Auschwitz remind us, more than ever, to not stop to confront ourselves with the history of our country. They remind us to raise our voices and to become active, to position ourselves against exclusion and discrimination, against the dehumanization of humans, independently of their origins or their religion. A relativization, or repetition (even when carrying a different mask) of the crimes conducted during the Third Reich in Germany, cannot ever – not on German ground nor anywhere else in the world – happen again. Renate Weseloh-Klages

How is art used in development programs? Can it serve as ‘agency’, and is it a culturally sound approach towards development? And how can we define ’empowerment’? Especially since it is a term so commonly used, that it runs risk of loosing its meaning. Those are some of the questions that we discussed during the discussion following our presentation at the Artistic Cultural Diplomacy Forum at the ICD – Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin.

Of course there is no one single answer to such complex questions. However, it is our aim to raise questions, to critically reflect our own work and to constantly improve it. Only by doing so can we continue to deliver our work, and bring about social change through art and artistic expression.

THE ROLE OF ART
IN UGANDA’S CIVIL
SOCIETY

February 27^th – March 1^st, 2019
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Art Gallery,
Makerere University, Uganda

For conference registration, please follow the link below:

https://goo.gl/forms/pHmmiB7kqrS5G7ul1

We want to thank our friends, partners, colleagues and guests who came from near and far to Inspiration Interdisciplinary Center for Art and Social Change second International Conference, at Makerere University Kampala. We hope we were successful in our mission to deliver you a meaningful, informative and relevant conference, with our partners at the African Studies Gallery in Tel Aviv. We are thrilled to host this one-day conference on The Future of Contemporary Art in Africa in a Globalized Art World.
A special Thank you to all the fascinating and interesting speakers of the conference who created a stimulating dialogue. 
The first Seat focused on Globalization in Relation to Local Roots and the presenters included Assoc. Prof. George Kyeyune, Idit Toledano, Nuwa Wamala Nnyanzi and @Angelo Kakande. In the second Seat about The Dichotomy of Usable and Fine Arts in the 21st Century, we heard from Dr. @David Goss, @Joan Kekimuli, Alon Razgour and Dr. @Eran Erlich. The concluding third Seat presented the issue of Community Engagement, Governmental Involvement and its Influences upon the Development of Contemporary African Art. In this seat participated @Erik Blome, Bruno Sserunkuuma, @Michal Shamir and Dr. Justine Nabagala.

NOVEMBER 16, 2017

8:30am-5:30pm

College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) Conference Hall

Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

On behalf of the Inspiration Interdisciplinary Center for Art and Social Change and the African Studies Gallery, we are honored to cordially invite you to the second international conference that will examine the rising interest in African art within the Western art market and its effect on the Eastern African art scene and identity.

The Interdisciplinary Center for Art and Social Change at Makerere University is a collaboration of Makerere University and Inspiration Arts for Humanity and aims to promote the professional development of artists, social activists, students, development professionals and volunteers participating in its conferences, courses, workshops and seminars.

Registration Form 

Conference seats:

First Seat           Globalization in Relation to Local Roots.

Second Seat     The Dichotomy of Usable and Fine Arts in the 21^st Century.

Third Seat         Community Engagement, Governmental Involvement and its Influences upon the Development of Contemporary African Art.

Conference registration form – click here

Inspiration Interdisciplinary Center for Art and Social Change, Makerere University, Kampala

2^nd International Conference

November 16^th 2017

The Future of Contemporary Art in Africa in a Globalized Art World

Background

In 2016, Makerere University and Inspiration Arts for Humanity collaborated in order to establish a new interdisciplinary center for art and social change at Makerere University. Through this initiative, the partnering agencies aim towards the advancement of the professional development of artists, social activists, students and volunteers participating in its conferences, courses, workshops and seminars. The activities of the center emphasize on some of the largest core issues of international development through the implementation of its strategy of artistic, creative, social and ethical leadership. Through its activities, the center challenges the current limits of interdisciplinary work in the areas of art, culture, social sciences, international relations and -development and related fields. 

About The Conference

The curatorial project of the 56^th Biennale in 2015 was assigned to Okwui Enwezor, the Biennale’s first curator of African descent. Under the title, All the World’s Futures, Enwezor’s curatorial project was devoted to the complex phenomenon of globalization in relation to local roots. This was an opportunity for Enwezor to push many artists from African origin to the foreground, but what made their art ‘African‘? Is there any importance for ‘local roots’ in a universal art world that creates an illusion of “placeless” artistic values? And, how free are African artists to create ‘African’ artistic futures based on their own roots when they are confined mainly to the Western art market and other Western art institutions?

Since the early days of interest in African artworks, all actors of the Western art world had an important role in the construction of knowledge and the development of a ‘taste’ for African art. Furthermore, today’s art world, which focuses on the institutional contexts in which the arts are created, sponsored, exhibited, interpreted, taught, criticized and so forth, overlooks numerous artistic expressions around the continent. These artistic expressions proclaim their own importance in the lives of large numbers of African people, but are considered to be “lower” forms of art, often related to as tourist or popular arts. That is to say that the Western bound art world has the power to decide the value of an artwork and who is the artist worthy of entering the ‘gates’ of the global contemporary art world.

What is the impact of these asymmetrical power structures on the artistic creativity in Africa? Can African artists produce sustainable art for their own societies and what impact does the interest in African Contemporary Art have on the self-esteem of the artists, artists-communities and the local citizens?

 Finally, how can the current interest be used to promote social issues, and perhaps even stimulate social change? Is the interest of the global art world, at the end of the day, even an opportunity to change the Global North’s single story narrative of Africa? 

Submission of Proposals

Proposals should not exceed 300 words; include a short bio of 100 words maximum and be sent to: anna-lisa@insp.memorialine.com         
By: Sunday, October 8^th 2017  
Please note that speakers will not receive any funds. Accommodation and transportation to and from the conference can be provided at cost for foreign speakers.

About the Partners

Inspiration Arts for Humanity

Built on the foundations of artistic excellence, social activism and community engagement, Inspiration develops a strategy that emphasizes on some of the largest core issues of contemporary international development through a unique strategy of artistic, creative, social and ethical leadership. Its vision is deep-rooted in the universal language of art, which expands and deepens our capacity for growth, supports progress in conflict-resolution, empowers individuals and addresses social issues while providing new opportunities for expression and dialogue.

Guided by values of artistic excellence, social responsibility and humanism, Inspiration is a unique institution, the epicenter of the working knowledge incorporated into a movement of individuals, groups, organizations and businesses around the world working together to promote art as the lifeblood of a more collaborative, understanding and peaceful world.

Makerere University Kampala

Established in 1922 as a humble technical school, Makerere University is one of the oldest and most prestigious Universities in Africa. Over the years, Makerere University has been growing both in student numbers to over 35,000 (45% of whom are female). Makerere University has repositioned herself as a research-led university where research and teaching/learning are mutually reinforced. Research is strategically emphasized as a mechanism through which Makerere University has become a locus of scientific innovations and discoveries.

It is currently ranked third in Africa in research, and aspires to be the leading institution for academic excellence and innovations in Africa, with a mission to provide innovative teaching learning, research and services responsive to national and global needs.

Guest Partner – The African Studies Gallery

The African Studies Gallery is an innovative and unique exhibition space. Located in the heart of Tel Aviv, the gallery strives to stimulate critical thinking and to challenge our conventional understanding of Africa as a cultural entity. Through exhibitions and cultural events we shall be seeking to present to the public the rich and varied cultures of Africa in the hope that the gallery and its activities will bridge people and cultures. The African Studies Gallery is not a commercial gallery, focusing instead on examining art, cultures and the way we view cultures that are different to our own, encouraging discussions, inquisitiveness and understanding. Each exhibition takes on a slightly different format, and often includes more than one artist focusing around a central theme or idea. The curatorship of the gallery aims to allow the public, and not only those with extensive knowledge of African art and culture, an opportunity to access and be exposed to such wonderful heritages.

This summer, Inspiration Arts had the great pleasure of hosting our esteemed partners and friends, Dr. Venny Nakazibwe and Dr. Kizito Maria Kasule. Dr. Nakazibwe is the Deputy Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT) at Makerere University, and Dr. Kasule is the Dean of the Margaret Towell School of Fine Arts (MTSFA) at Makerere University, as well as the Founding Director of the Nagenda International Academy of Art and Design (NIAAD).

During their time here, we have taken them to some of Israel’s most vibrant artistic sites, and we have met with many current and future partners. 

Below is an overview of their memorable visit to Israel. 

Day 1

 Tel Aviv University International Program in Crisis and Trauma

Bright and early on Monday morning, we drove to Tel Aviv University and learned about the International Program in Crisis and Trauma, a program offered by the School of Social Work.

Massivit 3D

After a quick lunch on the way, we visited Massivit 3D, a Print Factor in Lod. It is the first of its kind in Israel

Eretz Israel Museum

Later in the day, we visited Eretz Israel Museum, where we enjoyed a private tour and had the opportunity to visit the exhibition “On the Edge – Israeli Paper,” which portrays Israeli artistic and design work on paper. Here is a post-lunch photo with Dr. Debby Hershman, the Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the museum.

Day 2 

Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design

On Tuesday, we began the day at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, a prestigious school of art in Jerusalem. There, we toured the Ceramic and Glass Design department with the Head of the department, Dr. Eran Ehrlich.

Glocal International Development

As part of our visit to Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, we were joined by a representative from the Glocal International Development program, a MA program of Social Sciences at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Israel Museum

Our final destination was the Israel Museum, Israel’s national museum. It hosts some of Israel’s holiest antiquities and artworks. There, we saw contemporary art exhibitions alongside archeological exhibitions.

Day 3 

Technion-Institute of Technology

After briefly stopping by the Deir Al-Mukraqa Carmelite Monastery, we visited Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, a research university nestled in Haifa

Haifa University

Soon after, we visited the Department of Fine Arts of Haifa University, a public university located on the top of Mount Carmel. There, we had a great dialogue with the new Department Head, Assi Meshullam, and we look forward to seeing what collaborations this dialogue will bring.

Day 4

Shenkar College of Engineering and Design

Thursday morning, we were hosted at the Textile Design Department of Shenkar College. There, we were impressed by the incredible technological designs we saw.

Maskit Fashion House

We later visited Maskit Fashion House, where we enjoyed learning more about this top-notch brand and seeing its socially sensitive approach to fashion. Maskit is a brand that is based on traditional local textile design craft, and its efforts help preserve crafts that are now slowly disappearing from the world.

Beit Binyamini Contemporary Ceramics Center

Later in the day, we had a lovely time visiting the Beit Binyamini Contemporary Ceramics Center, located in Tel Aviv. There, we met the Center’s artists in residency, who help operate the facility.

Event at Karen’s House

Thursday evening, we saw many of you in Karen’s house, a exquisite house in Jaffa that belongs to Arlin Kremerman. Thank you to everyone who joined us in honor our Ugandan guests. 

Below are a few photos from the evening.

Here is a link to a Facebook album of the photos:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/artsforhumanity/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1428427077244311

Day 5

Sapir Graduate Show

Friday morning, we visited Chelouche Gallery, a contemporary art gallery in Tel Aviv. There, we had the pleasure of seeing the Sapir Graduate Show.

Day 6 and 7 

Jerusalem Tour

On Saturday we spent the day touring Nazareth, and finally, on Sunday we toured Jerusalem with our dear friend Eli Wimfheilmer. How could a tour in Israel be complete without a visit to one of the holiest cities in the world?

Gallery Opening

We ended the evening at a wonderful Gallery Opening in the African Studies Gallery in Tel Aviv. There, we had the opportunity to play video games influenced by African aesthetic elements, African myths, as well as Western and Eastern designs.

Inspiration Arts recognizes that all great endeavors require the efforts and cooperation of many different people, and we are so grateful to everyone who has shared and propelled our vision to cultivate art art a catalyst for effective social change.

We look forward to many meaningful projects and collaborations to come. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Thursday evening 29 July 2017 , in honor our Ugandan guests Dr Venny Nakazibwe – Deputy Principal at CEDAT and Dr Kizito Maria Kasule – Dean of the Art School at Makerere University, Kampala. It was a memorable evening, filled with a community of people dedicated to social action and art,  passionate about inspiring and supporting artistic excellence, social activism, and community engagement. This gathering stood as part of our future vision to launch Karen’s House as a place that will perpetuate the social and cultural spirit of its late owner, Karen Hendler-Kremerman. We hope that we will be able to use Karen’s House as a place where Inspiration Arts can nurture leadership and strengthen communities by engaging Israel’s philanthropists who will support meaningful causes through collective giving. 

Many people attended Karen’s exquisitely renovated house, an inspiring house in Jaffa belonging to Arlin Kremerman. The house is adorned with Karen’s artifacts that express her impeccable and discriminating taste, and it serves as an inspiring art gallery for her guests. 

Below is the Save the Date of the gathering:

SAVE THE DATE

We are proud to be part of the Jewish service coalition of organizations partners of Olam. It was inspiring and fun.

We are proud to participate in The International Symposia on Cultural Diplomacy, a 10-year project taking place from 2008-2017 and is conducted by the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy in cooperation with global governance organizations, national governments, international corporations and leading academic institutions.

The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in Germany 2017

I am a God fearing, self-driven person and a hardworking man.

In my free time I like singing and dancing, being with people and friends from far and near. I guess you can say I am a people’s person and I sincerely enjoy spending time with others. I am at ease whenever there are people around me.

I came from South Sudan a few years ago and became a member of the Become True project. Become True is an initiative that targets children and adolescents who were, together with their parents, deported from Israel to South Sudan its independence. In South Sudan they were “left detached from their friends, having no schools to go to” (become-world website).

 “I do not want for my family to suffer the way my parents suffered”

My aim is to study and become a better person in the future. I do not want for my family to suffer the way my parents suffered. Instead, I want to help those in need, the way we are being helped right now. In February 2017 I began studying Fashion Design in the interdisciplinary program of Muse-International. Here I am being given the opportunity to give back through community outreach projects and volunteering.
My dream is to become a fashion designer. I like designing and already imagine people wearing the most beautiful clothes I’ll create. Already I enjoy admiring fashion in the markets. My dream is that one day I’ll be famous for my art, being able to show people the fusion of African design and patterns with new styles from various parts of the world.

Alternatively I want to become a news anchor. I love it with all of my heart. Truly digging into a topic by doing in-depth reading about issues that interest me and what I like to know more of;

but also and especially those things that need to be read because they are important, critical, disturbing or fascinating. The word that needs to be spread. The information that needs to be passed on.

The dreams I stopped dreaming

Well, what can I say. Today I would describe me as a girl who cannot reach the dreams I have and I wish to have. My life story so far has been hard and difficult. When I was still a little girl I used to dream that one day I will become a doctor. I imagined how I would treat people and make them healthy again. I saw myself living with my family, but life had other plans for me.

Many things changed for me and because of the conflict in my home country South Sudan (back then it had not declared its independence from Sudan) me and my family were forced to leave. We kept moving from one country to another country because of the war. 

 Come True Project

After a long period in transition we arrived in Israel when I was 11 years old. I thought that I will be able to stay and make my dream come true there. But after six years I was told that all South Sudanese people should go back to their country. I felt bad and I just lost hope after having had to leave again. However, I only stayed in South Sudan for a short period of time. I was invited to study in Uganda thanks to and with the support of the Come True project. This project was established by Israelis who wanted to ensure that the South Sudanese children deported from Israel would continue to be able to go to school. With the help of this program I was able to finish school.

 Professional studies at Muse

Now I am in the Muse-International program and I want to study very hard to be a better person. I want a better life without any future suffering.

By the way, my name is Viola Philip. I am from South Sudan and God is my beginning and my end. With God everything is possible. Generally speaking I’m a happy and life-loving person. I like to make friends and help people who are in need of help. I like dancing most and swimming.

Inspiration is collaborating in a series of lectures, conversations and training in the field of design.

Design takes up most of the public and private space of our times, it is no longer a means of decoration but a charged visual expression. A symbol that refers beyond the signified.

This social cultural arena puts in its center the detail and the subject for which the act of design is fulfilled.

This series of lectures, talks and workshops in various design fields, is aiming to develop the interface between design and the potential it holds for social change and cultural thrive.

Come and visit Inspiration’s stand at this years’ Berlin Chanukah Bazar at the Jewish Community Center in the Fasanenstraße.This upcoming Sunday, Dec. 4th between 11:00 – 18:00 we will inform about Inspiration’s work, meet and mingle and sell Ugandan handicrafts in order to support our ongoing projects and projects in planning.

 https://www.facebook.com/ChanukkaBasar/?fref=ts

We are proud to present a summary report of the First International two day conference for Art, Volunteering and Social Change, held at the College of Engineering Design Art and Technology, Makerere University. The Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art (MTSIFA) Makerere University, the Nagenda International Academy of Art and Design (NIAAD), Inspiration Arts for Humanity and the Israeli Volunteer Association collaborated to deliver an introduction to the fusion of the arts, volunteering and social change. This opening conference of the emerging Interdisciplinary Center, a joint initiative by Inspiration Arts, Makerere University and NIAAD, is the first milestone on our journey towards delivering knowledge, advancing professionalism and insights of the arts and its contributions towards social change.

We thank you for your constructive contribution to the great success of the conference. Together with your joint efforts, professional knowledge and personal motivation we will walk many more miles together, climb mountains and deliver positive social change with and through art.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Venny Nakazibwe, Deputy Principal CEDAT Makerere University

Dr. Kizito Maria Kasule, Dean of MTSFA Makerere Uni. & Founding Director NIAAD

Tamar Dekel, Executive Director Inspiration Arts for Humanity

Conference Booklet

עברית العربية ↓

We are proud of Rana Choir for receiving the International Hrant Dink Award for 2016 in the category of “inspirations”, along with courageous and inspiring people from around the world. The award is granted every year to those considered as people who work for a world free of discrimination, racism and violence, who through their initiatives inspire and encourage others to support their cause and ideals.
You are invited to watch the video that was screened at the ceremony which took place in Istanbul on September 22 (we are at min. 08:00).

Link to Hrant Dink Foundation’s website
http://www.hrantdinkodulu.org/en/index.php?p=anasayfa

גאים במקהלת ראנה זכייתם בפרס הראנט דינק לשנת 2016 בקטגורית ‘השראה’, בשורה אחת עם אנשים אמיצים ומעוררי השראה מרחבי העולם. הפרס מוענק מידי שנה למי שמוגדרים כאנשים הפועלים למען עולם חפשי מאפליה, גזענות ואלימות, שבעשייתם מעוררים השראה ומעודדים אחרים להאבק למען הרעיונות בהם הם מאמינים.
אתן/ם מוזמנות/ים לצפות בסרטון שהוקרן בטקס שהתקיים באיסטנבול ב 22.9 (המקהלה בדקה 08:00).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pdV5rdY5T8
קישור לאתר קרן הראנט דינק
http://www.hrantdinkodulu.org/en/index.php?p=anasayfa

Inspiration Arts’s Executive Director was invited to speak at the Social Innovation in Africa Symposium, by the Israeli Academic Center for Social Enterprise at the Social Work School, Tel Aviv University.  We used the stage to present our international collaboration with Brit Olam, the Israeli Volunteers Association, IGI and TAG – and now with the Jewish Agency’s Project TEN as well – in Uganda.

Over the summer, our wonderful volunteers helped PCCP prepare for the upcoming school year. Providing materials such as notebooks for the students, helping build and repair the school itself, and painting new blackboards for the students and teachers are only a few of the necessities the volunteers helped to provide.

Inspiration Arts for Humanity introduced itself to young German visionaries at the z2x festival in Berlin. For two hours brilliant minds discussed Muse-International – one of our international projects in development, in partnership with NIAAD and Brit Olam. We literally rocked the boat!

Facebook Post

We are delighted to invite you to Creative Connections end-of-year event, Monday 30 May 2016 , Alliance House (Machne Yehuda Market), Jerusalem

Facebook Event Page

Event schedule:
5:30 pm Reception
6:00 pm Greetings and main performance
6:45 pm Art performances, talks and activities throughout the building

Creative Connections produces encounters between different sectors and cultures in Israeli society through creativity, dialogue and mutual art learning. The program brings together religious, secular, traditional, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Urban, Kibbutz, new immigrates, Sabras….

During the event you will have the chance to view the artistic products of youngsters and youth that participated in the program.

creative connections event

Art Volunteering and Social Change conference program

Art and culture are the heart of a society. It is a means of (non-)verbal communication and it can bridge between conflicting parties, because it displays not only what is but also what could be, art can be a driving factor in social change. Art can be perceived as the ultimate expression of human civilization, and following that notion, artists have a central social role whether they acknowledge this or not.

Artistic expression may lead to unconventional results in challenging situations. It can be used to empower individuals and communities and to make them sustainable economically. It can raise awareness and it can be used as a therapeutic tool.

Unlike the use of art for social change, national and international volunteerism has a long tradition in development. Documentations of independent intl. volunteer work date back to post-World War I short-term work-camps for reconstruction and “relief and emergency assistance in India and other developing countries in the 1930s and 1940s”[1]. Today it is considered as a powerful transformative tool that can successfully tackle challenges related to social change. The United Nations recognizes the importance of national and international volunteerism with regard to the realization of the 17 sustainable development goals[2]. Volunteers can help others to acquire skills and discover new perspectives and vice versa. Volunteerism is thus a two-way street, and, if done well, empowers both the volunteer and the beneficent. It has been argued that these acts of that solidarity and mutual learning are “some of the key ingredients of long-term international volunteering for effective development work”[3] and social change.

Art and international volunteerism are both important motors for social change. Taking the position of social formative leadership, while combining it with international and community volunteerism, brings the relationship between art and the society to its peak.

About the Partners

 Inspiration Arts for Humanity

Inspiration, built on the foundations of artistic excellence, social activism and community engagement, is developing a strategy that emphasizes on some of the largest core issues of contemporary international development through a unique strategy of artistic, creative, social and ethical leadership.

Its vision is deep-rooted in the universal language of art, which expands and deepens our capacity for growth, supports progress in conflict-resolution, empowers individuals and addresses social issues while providing new opportunities for expression and dialogue.

Guided by values of excellence, artistry, social responsibility and humanism, Inspiration is a unique institution, the epicenter of the working knowledge incorporated into a movement of individuals, groups, organizations and businesses around the world working together to promote art as the lifeblood of a more collaborative, understanding and peaceful world. Inspiration’s Vision is to cultivate art as a catalyst for effective social change. Our Mission is to instill artists with the tools needed to translate their talent into measurable impact to the world’s most pressing social challenges. By establishing the Inspiration Global School, an international academy, we will be training artists to be activists and social entrepreneurs that will strive to lead change with art.

Makerere University Kampala

Established in 1922 as a humble technical school, Makerere University is one of the oldest and most prestigious Universities in Africa. Over the years, Makerere University has been growing both in student numbers to over 35,000 (45% of whom are female). Makerere University has repositioned herself as a research-led university where research and teaching/learning are mutually reinforced. Research is strategically emphasized as a mechanism through which Makerere University has become a locus of scientific innovations and discoveries.

It is currently ranked third in Africa in research, and aspires to be the leading institution for academic excellence and innovations in Africa, with a mission to provide innovative teaching learning, research and services responsive to national and global needs.

Makerere University is operating a collegiate mode of governance with ten Constituent Colleges  including: College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES); College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS); College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS); College of Education and External Studies (CEES); College of Engineering Design Art and Technology (CEDAT); College of Health Sciences (CHS); College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS); College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS); College of Veterinary Medicne Animal Science and Bio-Security (CoVAB), and School of Law (SLAW).

Nagenda International Academy for Art and Design (NIAAD)

With a mission to be a Centre of Art and Design excellence, NIAAD aims at training art and design graduates who can meet challenges of the changing times.

NIAAD is a private Institution licensed by the national council for Higher education of Uganda and is located on the edge of Lake Victoria, 12 miles off Kampala Entebbe High way, along Lutembe beach Road. It was founded in 2009. The Institution is committed to providing qualitative and flexible Art and Design programs in respect to national development goals.

Besides offering formal art and design education, NIAAD with local communities initiates and develops sustainable community based programs that aim at reducing poverty and hardships in society.

The Israeli Volunteer Association

The Israel Volunteer Association (IVA), the largest volunteering organization in Israel for the past 40 years, operates among all sectors and populations in Israel: Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, Bedouins, religious, secular, men, women, children, youth, seniors, people with disabilities, youth at-risk, migrants and international citizens.

The IVA perceives volunteering as a manner to form a meaningful social change and create better mutual future for all the groups and citizens of Israel. Offering a wide scope of volunteering programs, the IVA aspires to reduce social-economic gaps, provide a stepping stone for marginalized and disadvantaged groups, fighting against racism and prejudice and promote a more equal and tolerant society with solidarity and mutual goals and prospects.

Program

Monday, May 2, 2016

18.00 – 20.30              Reception dinner

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

8.30 – 9.00                 Registration

9.00 – 9.20                 Welcome and Greetings

9.20 – 10.30              First Seat:

Dr. Sara Lev: Art to HeART – Program for Psycho-social Facilitators through Creative Arts for teachers in the Deaf School in Tanzania
Mr. Ofir Peleg: The contribution of International Volunteerism to Social Change
Dr. Venny Nakazibwe: Design, Art, Volunteerism and Development Work: A New Unity in Building Resilient Communities and Creating Social Change in Northern Uganda
Mr. Bruno Sserunkumua: Design, Health and Community: An integrated approach to design and Health issues through socially responsive art, design solutions and entrepreneurial activities in Africa

10.30 – 11.00              Speakers Panel discussion.

11.00 – 11.15              Break

11.15 – 12.35              Second Seat:

Dr. Kizito Maria Kasule: The artists as a social entrepreneur
Ms. Tamar Dekel: Artists make history: How art influenced social changes
Dr. Philip Kwesiga: Volunteering and artistic development to minority communities: A case study of Hounslow – London
Associate Prof. Dr. Sylvia Nannyonga-Tamusuza: Performing Arts as Tools Social Change: Contribution of the Department of Performing Arts and Film at Makerere University

12.35 – 13.00              Speakers Panel discussion.

13.00 – 14.00              Lunch break

14.00 – 15.00              Third Seat:

Ms. Joan Kekimuri: Art for social change? Art done for art’s sake not identity’s sake
Associate Prof. Dr. George Kyeyune: Art Volunteerism and Social leadership
Associate Prof. Dr. Andrew Yiga: The role of art in national development

15.00 – 15.30              Speakers Panel discussion.

15.30 – 15.45              Break

15.45 – 16.30              Closing Seat.

Workshops:                 Music (Mr. Idan Toledano)

Nature Art (Ms. Zehavit Carmel)

Featured speakers

Zehavit Carmel
Artist and environmental activist

Her B.F.A is in Theatre Design, from Tel-Aviv University, and she worked as set and costume designer in different productions, mainly of film and television in Israel. She attained her Master’s degree from the Empire State College in fine art and liberal studies in 2005.Since 2006 she has been working as an illustrator, with her latest exhibition being a mini retrospective of her book illustrations in “the library of foreign languages” in Moscow, Russia.
During her 2012 travels to Southern Africa, she was exposed to the plight of wildlife and wilderness in Africa. As a result she is trying to establish “Wilderness A.I.R” artist in residence which is aimed at nature conservation, seeking partnerships in tourism, conservation and the art world.

Tamar Dekel
Executive Director, Inspiration Arts for Humanity

Tamar is the Executive Director of Inspiration Arts (since 2014). Tamar lives and works in Tel Aviv and has been active in the fields of art and art education for over 15 years. Tamar holds a BA in the History of Art and General History from Tel Aviv University and an MA in the History of Art from the joint program of Christie’s and the University of Glasgow. She is the founder and former executive director of Picnic Magazine Art & Music Distribution (NPO) (2012-2014). Tamar formerly served as organizational director of the Ascola-Meimad College of Art and Design; academic director of the Avni Institute of Art and Design; project director at the Braverman Gallery; and intern in the European Union’s Central Registry of Information on Looted Cultural Property, London. Tamar also works as an independent international art producer.

Joan Kekimuri
Kyamboggo University

A former head of the Department of Industrial Art and Design, Kyambogo University in Uganda, Joan Kekimuli holds a Master’s degree in Fine Art from Makerere University. For the previous 17 years she has been teaching fine art at Kyambogo University. She has travelled and taught in different Scandinavian countries and exhibited globally. She was key instrumental in setting up the master of Vocational Pedagogy degree program at Kyambogo University, which is supported by the Norwegian Government. Currently, she is doing her Ph.D. in Visual Arts at Makerere University.

Kizito Maria Kazule (Ph.D.)
Makerere University

Kizito Maria Kasule is the founding director of NIAAD (2009), a private art Institution which offers diplomas and certificates in Art and Design, and currently the Dean of the Margret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art, Makerere University. A graduate of Makerere University, Kizito holds a PhD in Art History and MAFA in Sculpture (Makerere University) and an MFA in painting from the Burren College of Art, National University of Ireland Galway. From 2010-2014, Kizito was the Chair Department of Fine Art at Makerere University. His teaching career extends to over 20 years.
Kizito has attended several artists in residence programs worldwide. He sits on several Educational boards of Governs and is the founder of Dembe primary school in Masaka. He has exhibited widely in Africa, Europe, North America and also in Israel. His mission is to transform lives of the disadvantaged youth, single mothers and children through Art and Design Education

George Kyeyune (Ph.D.)
Makerere University

George Kyeyune is an Associate Professor at the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts, Makerere University. He is also the Director of the Institute of Heritage Conservation and Restoration, Makerere University. In 2003, he completed his PhD in African Art at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, where he examined trends in Uganda’s Contemporary Art. George Kyeyune is also a practicing artist with several monuments in Uganda to his credit. In 2005, he became Head of the Department of Sculpture and in 2006, he was appointed as Dean at the Margaret Trowell School of Industry and Fine Arts. He was awarded a post-doctoral Fulbright Fellowship in 2012-2013 and a Commonwealth Fellowship in 2013-2014.
George is involved in the VW Foundation funded project; African Art History and the formation of a modern aesthetic as a core member. He is documenting the Uganda’s modern art in the Frankfurt Museum, acquired by  Mr. Schneider a German collector in Uganda, during the 70s 80 and 90s. He is interested in analyzing a link between the Frankfurt collection and the Makerere

Philip Kwesiga (Ph.D.)
Makerere University

Philip Kwesiga, is a Ugandan born artist, designer and educator, trained in ceramics and graphics, Kampala (1985) a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (1986) and Masters of Arts, Fine Art (1988) in Makerere University. He received his PhD in Art and Design at Middlesex University, London.
His career spans from 1985 (Teaching Assistant) to the present Associate Professor since 2007. Worked as designer in the local media houses and exhibited works (paintings, ceramics) in both local and international spaces. His research in pottery and ceramics focuses on local pottery and ceramic practices in western Uganda to expand the appreciation of pottery. He introduced the visual communication design department in Makerere University and later the promotion of e-Content as an aspect in the African Universities – supported by the PHEA-ETI.

Sara Lev (Ph.D.)

Dr. Sara Lev, C.E.O. of Lev TurnAround, is an expert in the intersection between Business, Technology and Academia; Highly experienced in leading and teaching entreprene urship and innovation processes in Israel and worldwide; Holds B.Sc. in Computer Science, M.A. and Ph.D. in Business Strategy and Entrepreneurship (Technion, Israel).

Venny Nakazibwe (Ph.D.)

Makerere University

Dr. Venny Nakazibwe is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Industrial Arts and Applied Design, and the Deputy Principal of the College of Engineering Design Art and Technology (CEDAT), at Makerere University. Venny Nakazibwe served as Dean of the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts, one of the three Schools in CEDAT. She holds an MA in Textile Design and a PhD in Art History. She has carried out extensive research in the history of African textiles focusing on indigenous fabric design and decorative techniques, as well as the contemporary use of these materials in art and design practice.
Additional research on Design Effect and Value Addition in Uganda’s Industrial and Service Sector as well as Knowledge Transfer in Design Education for Creative Enterprises in East Africa. She currently serves as a mentor on the Uniwash UNICEF-Academia Private Sector Partnership for Human Rights-Based WASH Innovations for Ugandan School Children Project.

Associate Prof. Sylvia Nannyonga-Tamusuza (Ph.D.)
Makerere University

Sylvia Nannyonga-Tamusuza has published on popular music, school music competitions, dance as music, sexuality in music and dance, politics and gender in music, the interface between ethnomusicology and music education, and identities in diasporic music, music repatriation and archiving.
Her publications include the book Baakisimba: Gender in Music and Dance of the Baganda People of Uganda (Routledge, 2005), as well as many articles in journals and edited volumes. She is co-editor of Ethnomusicology in East Africa: Perspectives from Uganda and Beyond (Fountain 2012). Her most recent publications are two chapters: “Written Documentation of the Klaus Wachsmann Music Collection: Repatriating the Past to Present Indigenous Users in Uganda” in a book entitled: African Music in Context Institutions, Culture, Identity (Fountain 2015) and “Performing Baakisimba during Mass: Negotiating, Contesting and Politicizing the ‘Sacred’ in the Roman Catholic Church in Uganda” in Re-Finding African Local Assets and City Environments: Governance, Research and Reflexivity, edited by Wakana Shiino et al. (2016).

Ophir Peleg
Supervising Consultant, TARA Strategic Consulting

Ophir is a consultant and team leader at TARA, a strategic consulting firm specializing in regulatory processes. He graduated Tel Aviv University Law Faculty and is a member of the Israeli BAR. His career path is focused on providing individuals and organizations with the tools to change public discourse and promote social activism. Ophir helps some of Israel’s largest and most influential nonprofits acquire innovative work methods that promote regulatory processes and social change. He has been working together with the IVA in the last 3 years in strengthening its inter-cultural approach and developing its international outreach.

Bruno Sserunkuuma
Makerere University

Bruno Sserunkuuma graduated with B.A (F.A), M.A(F.A) and PGDE, Makerere University and currently lecturing ceramics in the Department of the Industrial Art and Applied Design, Makerere University.
He has been involved in a number of research and projects promoting crafts, including; GAD Small Project, Artist in Development UNESCO project, NORAD collaborative project, the British Council EPA and EAP projects, the Art in Medicine Training Project with the University of Florida, USA and the Decolonizing Art Education:  NIAAD – IAE staff and curriculum development project.
He has participated in many national and international solo and group since 1993.  A studio ceramic artist and designer, Bruno has won various pottery and ceramics prizes including UNESCO crafts prize for Africa. Member of NIAAD Governing Council; the skills sector for culture and tourism of the skilling Uganda programme; Uganda Visual Artist and Designers Association (UVADA) and the National Association of Cultural Crafts o Uganda (NACCAU).

Idan Toledano
Educator & Musician

Idan is an educator, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and musical producer. Between 2008 and 2015 he was the Musical Director of The Arab Jewish Center in Jaffa, where he conducted the mixed youth choir “Voices of Peace” and directed the Greek music school. Idan taught music in the Bilingual School “Bridge Over the Wadi” in Kfar Kara, and founded a bilingual choir.  Composes and performs music for theater, artistic director of The Arab Jewish Woman Choir – RANA, and the musical director of QUARTETOUKAN Ensemble. Idan is working for many years in outreach intercultural mediation through music. He plays and tours with different music ensembles in Israel and abroad.
Idan holds a BA in Western & Eastern Music and Education from the University of Haifa, and a graduate degree of moderating dialogue groups of Oranim Academic College, Graduate program “Peace through the Arts” of the US State Department and specialized in playing flamenco guitar in Seville, Spain.

Eli Wimpfheimer
Deputy Director General Strategic Development at the Israeli Volunteer Association

Eli has a BA in Education, during his various jobs at the Israel Volunteer Association he started and developed new programs for integrating youth with the Civil Service framework. Today, Eli is in charge of a variety of different volunteer programs in Israel with an emphasis on places that have a strong and significant social impact which strengthens the civil society. In addition he started the International Department at the IVA and still manages it.

Associate Prof. Andrew Yiga (Ph.D.)
Dean of Nakumba University

Andrew P. Yiga is an Associate Professor of Art Education at Nkumba University and Dean School of commercial Industrial Art and Design at the same university. He holds a PhD in Fine Art from Makerere University. He is a seasoned educationist with experience from Goteborgs University in Sweden, State University of New York, Makerere University and National Teachers’ college Kyambogo. He has also contributed to the field of art through national and international exhibitions. He has supervised students on Ph.D. and Masters Programs and served on a number of university committees.

Credits

Anna-Lisa Klages, Inspiration Arts – Conference academic coordinator.

All illustrations presented in this program are from Zehavit Carmel, pencil and wash on paper (2013-14) and were published in: Krylov Fables (2015). Carmel Publishing House, Jerusalem, Israel

[1] P. Devereux (2008). International volunteering for development and sustainability: outdate paternalism or radical response to globalization?

[2] http://www.unv.org/en/what-we-do/mdgspost-2015/doc/achieving-the-global-goals.html

[3] P. Devereux (2008). International volunteering for development and sustainability: outdate paternalism or radical response to globalization?

Art, Volunteering & Social Change Conference

May 2 – 3, 2016

Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

For its first global event, Inspiration Arts for Humanity has partnered with Makerere University, the Nagenda International Academy for Art and Design (NIAAD) and the Israeli Volunteer Association (IVA), to deliver to you an interesting and thought-provoking conference.

Art and culture are the heart of a society. It is a means of (non-)verbal communication and it can bridge between conflicting parties, because it displays not only what is but also what could be, art can be a driving factor in social change. Art can be perceived as the ultimate expression of human civilization, and following that notion, artists have a central social role, though not always acknowledged by neither artists themselves nor society as a whole.

Unlike the use of art for social change, national- and international volunteerism have a long tradition in development. Today international volunteerism is considered as a powerful transformative tool that can successfully tackle social challenges. Volunteers may help others to acquire skills and discover new perspectives. Likewise they learn from the hosting community, leaving both sides with more knowledge, deepened inter-cultural understanding and -sensitivity.

Art and international volunteerism are both important motors for social change. There is a plentitude of empirical literature on the strengths and pitfalls of past international volunteerism and a growing interest of NGOs, governments, stakeholders and scholars on art for social change. Taking the position of social formative leadership, while combining it with international and community volunteerism, brings the relationship between art and the society to its peak.

The two-day conference will unfold the relations and strengths of art, volunteerism and social change, propose methodologies and expand the expertise in the field of international development.

For further information please contact us info@insp.memorialine.com

www.jewcer.com/cc

Creative Connections addresses the issues of racism, violent discourse and lack of dialogue between the different sectors of society in Israel, by using the language and experience of art. A creative-artistic learning process as a platform for encounter between youth from different sectors is what stands at the base of the program. The heterogenic groups will work on an artistic product (exhibition, concert, theater play, book, etc.) which will be shared with both communities.
The “Creative Connections” Program has been proven to reduce prejudice and stereotypes by interacting youth from different sectors and communities in the Israeli society using art workshops.
An example for some of the workshops and communities:
Theatre class for secular & religious women in Jerusalem
Music workshop for all ethnic and religious groups in Ramla
Film workshop for Kibutz and city youth from Tiberias & Jordan valley Kibutz’
Graffiti workshop for Jews and Bedouins in Be’er-Sheva

Inspiration Arts was proud to participate and lead a panel discussion at the Israel Volunteer Association first international conference: Volunteering Makes a Difference

The conference took place on 6^th-7^th of April 2016, Hacienda Hotel, Maalot-Tarschicha, Israel, and focused on issues of Bridging social gaps, including minority groups, integrating refugees –How can the societies in Israel and Europe promote disadvantaged populations and work to increase equality in multicultural countries?

Inspiration Arts was proud to participate in Focal Point: The 1st Annual Gathering of OLAM Coalition Partners, as a partner in the coalition.
We were invited to attend Focal Point, the first annual gathering of our 41 OLAM coalition partners – Jewish and Israeli organizations working to meet the needs of vulnerable populations in the developing world. The conference took place in Washington DC.

On April 25, 2015 the earth shook in Nepal.
Over 10,000 were buried under the rubble, tens of thousands were injured and hundreds of thousands were left with no roof over their heads.

Inspiration Arts (NGO) joined the NATAN coalition for international humanitarian aid to aid the Nepalese nation. We are sending group of volunteers that includes: medical teams, psychological teams and community workers , as we did in other disasters in the past: in Sri-Lanka, Georgia, Haiti,, The Philippines etc. In addition to the medical aid that is crucial, our focus is on mental health, psych-social help and community rebuilding, from the disaster.

Israel is a country that is familiar, with disaster, trauma, stress and the feeling of insecurity, and from this ongoing situation Israel created ,working models ,rich with knowledge of how to deal with post trauma, rebuilding communities strength, national and personal strength. Doctors, beside engineers, besides, social workers beside artists, bring hope and change around the world.

On June 15, 2015 at 20:30 we are having a fund raising vent for the Nepalese people in the BARBI club in Tel Aviv, with an array of outstanding musicians and performers.

https://www.tixwise.co.il/he/nepal

לרכישת כרטיסים!

בתאריך 07.10.2015 בשעה 20:30 יתקיים ערב רביעי בסדרת האירועים של אינספריישן.

בתכנית: אנסמבל אנ”ת – קבוצת מחול יוצרת
כרוניקה >> יוצרת: אלינהר מאנץ’ בינשטוק <<
סולו אורח >> יוצרת: רותם גרינברג , מבצעת: קורנליה טרומפר <<
פוליטיקה חדשה למתחילים >> יוצרת: דניאל סו קינד <<

מופע המחול יתמוך בפרויקט חינוך לאמנות בפריפריה הצפונית של ישראל: ‘הכל חיבורים’ – קורסי אמנות מקצועיים בכל התחומים המפגישים בני נוער מסקטורים שונים בחברה הישראלית, מטבריה, בית-שאן, יבנאל, וקיבוצי עמק הירדן, ומקדמים הידברות, סובלנות וחיזוק המרקם החברתי בישראל.

קהילת אנ”ת היא קהילה של אמנים מכל התחומים, העוסקת בשילוב אמנות בחינוך ובחברה. לקהילת אנ”ת גרעין שנת שירות של אמנים צעירים, היוצאים לשנת עשייה חברתית-אמנותית בתנועת הצופים כבר 12 שנים.
מתוך חיבור אידיאולוגי חזק, החליטה קהילת אנ”ת להצטרף לפעילות אינספריישן – כקהילת בוגרים ואף לפתוח שנת שירות משותפת עם אינספריישן.

שנת השירות אנ”ת באינספריישן – ‘הכל חיבורים’, בשיתוף תנועת הצופים והאגודה להתנדבות, התחילה לפעול לפני כחודש בטבריה, קיבוצי עמק הירדן, יבנאל ובית-שאן.
קומונת שנת השירות עובדת בבתי ספר, ברחובות, בשבטי צופים במטרה לתת מענה לבעיית השיח האלים הגזענות וחוסר ההכרות בין מגזרים ושכבות שונות בחברה באמצעות שפת החוויה והאמנות.

חברות האנסמבל המשתתפות בערב זה: רותם גרינברג, עדן פיי קרמר, שירה בדיוק סנדיק, נועה דיסקו בר, דניאל סו קינד, אלינהר מאנץ’ בינשטוק, נוי קלמנט, שרון ולבסקי, אוריין פיץ’ רוזן.

Join ArtCamp#2

As part of Inspiration’s belief in the power of the artist to express, create and influence communities with his work, we host a gathering of artists, an encounter interpersonal and social issues, collaborative creation space, art workshops and exposing social projects and initiatives. For three days and two nights,ArtCamp provides a platform for connections between artists, between artists and the Jordan Valley and artists and Inspiration ideas. The first meeting was held on Sukkot 2014 and the second is scheduled for Passover 2015.

Art Installation at The Artists House in Tel Aviv, documenting an artistic encounter with South Sudanese refugees deported from Israel, living in Uganda.
This project is an initiative of artist Raffael Lomas and the Agricultural Center for the Research of Creativity with photographer Barak Brinker in collaboration with Come True, Inspiration International – Arts for Humanity,Brit Olam – International Volunteering and Development , NIAAD and Trinity Academy.

Photos by Barak Brinker

Thank you for joining Inspiration Arts in our vision to promote social change and leadership with artistic tools

as we bring to you our second music concert from Inspiration events Series.

Join us 1 March 2015 at Jaffa Theater

A3

MA art partnership in collaboration with Inspiration -Art, Leadership and Social Change are happy to invite you to an art event at Inspiration center in Bik’at Kinnerot, on Thursday, 18 Decembet 2014, 8pm.

The Event will examine, from different perspectives, voluntary transition between identities, the moment when a person is left devoid of identity.

Free entry. Please join us.

Thank you to everyone that came out to our fantastic music event featuring The Angelcy, this past Monday, 24th November 2014 at Beit Hayotzer. We hope you enjoyed the show as much as we did, and were able to meet other like-minded individuals dedicated to making this world a better, safer place. We can’t express how amazing it was to see so many people coming together from different backgrounds to celebrate art and social change. Inspiration Arts looks forward to bringing you more events and ways to be artistically involved in your local, national, and global communities. If you would like more information on our upcoming events and ways to get involved, please reach out to us. If you would like to help us reach our fundraising goals this year you can donate at the dunation link.

אנו שמחים להזמינך לאירוע תמיכה מוסיקלי מבית אינספיריישן, הראשון מבין סדרת אירועים אמנותיים שנועדו לסייע לנו להוציא אל הפועל את חזוננו המשותף לקידום מנהיגות ושינוי חברתי בכלים אמנותיים.

אינספיריישן הינה יוזמה חדשנית תרבותית-חברתית המבוססת על עקרונות המצוינות האמנותית, אקטיביזם חברתי ומעורבות קהילתית, תוך אמונה בכוחה של השפה האוניברסאלית של האמנות להפוך את העולם למקום טוב יותר.

נקיים מדי מספר שבועות התכנסות אמנותית בתחום שונה (מוסיקה, אמנות פלסטית, מחול, אופנה…) ובה ניתן במה ליוצרים מתוך שאיפה להרחיב את מעגל השפעתנו ותומכינו.

 הארוע יתקיים בתאריך 24 נובמבר 2014 החל משעה 20:00, בבית היוצר בנמל תל אביב ועלות כרטיס תמיכה הינה 150-300 ש”ח.

יתקיימו הופעות של להקת דה-אנג’לסי, מהלהקות החדשות והמצליחות בישראל לאחרונה, ושל יעל זלינגר – מוזיקאית צעירה בתחילת דרכה, ויוגשו משקאות וכיבוד קל.

 ניתן לרכוש כרטיסים במספר אופנים המפורטים בדף האירוע באתר שלנו:

http://insp.memorialine.com/en/events_music1

A first-of-its-kind social initiative in the Jordan Valley, where social, community, educational projects met in order to help advance each other’s ideas by creating connections between organizations, local activists and individuals.

After advertising the event in the local media and via alternative media, 14 entrepreneurs came together for a 12 hour marathon event. Held in the local council’s cultural center, ideas were presented, researched, worked on, analyzed, and set in motion.

A few of the ideas that were developed in the Hackathon:

• Parents for Diverse Education in the Jordan.
• A Jordan River Rehabilitation Festival – A Public event aimed to gain the local community’s cooperation in the preservation and rehabilitation of the Jordan River.
• Knitting Grandmother – Developing local projects via knitting tools.

Inside View, Tiberius – Tours based on dialogue, in cooperation with the department of tourism and culture in Tiberius. The project hopes to tell the rich history and stories of the homes of Tiberius.

The Israeli Center regularly joins forces with organizations and artists who work with art in the community. International artist Max Levin ,from Artolution – Community Based Public Art, directed a workshop for volunteers from the ANAT movement, and The Young Leadership Group. The purpose of this workshop was to materialize his and Inspiration’s shared vision of using art as a leadership tool. The workshop discussed the subject of leadership, art and social change and culminated in the creation of a free-style mural.

As a young aspiring, artistic, globetrotting, do-gooding grassroots activist I have to say I think I have found a place to call home.  This past weekend I was fortunate enough to participate in a small art festival in northern Israel near Kibbutz Beit Zera, this is where I found Inspiration Arts. 

While I was only one of two native English speakers I don’t think I’ve ever come across a place that felt more like paradise.  Artists from across Israel came together to create a space where persons young and old could express their artistic desire and solidify a little direction for their next project. 

Everyone there had a passion to not only create art, but to change the world with art.  Of the many conversations that took place over the weekend one really stuck out to me, “What is art?”  Opinions varied from person to person, some saying that art need to inspire, others that art needed to come from within, or that art need to be public, or that art needed to be private and personal, or even that art was a vessel of changing perspectives.  Everyone seemed to agree that art requires action and that it should have a message .  If that is the definition of art, Inspiration Arts could be the perfect home and creative incubator for me. 

Examples of art inspiring and changing the world are common, and Inspiration’s sole mission is to cultivate such projects.  It  encourages people to synergize their efforts and create something beautiful.  As an informal educator in civic action and community development, this is a dream come true fore me.  Having observed and participated in numerous initiatives, I have always hoped for more conversation around what it takes to begin a progam and how to communicate its goals.  At Inspiration, this conversation is happening.  

While this was only Inspiration Art’s first event, the potential of the organization is growing.  It is evident to me that Inspiration could truly be a place where artists and community leaders from around the world come to further develop their skills.

 — Wiley Jackson

The Israeli center for Art, Community and Environment works in cooperation with the Come True project which aims at bringing South Sudanese children who were raised in Israel until 2012, back to school (The project includes 120 children who were brought from South Sudan to study at the Trinity Academy, a boarding school in Kampala, Uganda). Other partners in this program are The Agricultural Center for the Research of Creativity, Brit Olam, NIAAD and Trinity School. The project focuses on art activities with the children mostly during their breaks from school, in order to strengthen their self assurance and confidence in a developing world community.

The Young Leadership Group focus is to develop the connection between leadership and art among teenagers in the Jordan Valley. Consisting of youth from the regional high school, Beit –Yerah, youth between the 9th and12th grades gather weekly for organized artistic activities. These gathering are meant to reinforce leadership and activism using artists tools. Each member of the group has a chance to formulate his or her own personal vision of society and tries to materialize it in the framework of the group’s activity. Simultaneously, the teens attend a training course in the hopes of developing future activities for the growing arts and leadership youth movement.

A main branch of activity of the Arts, Community and Environment Center includes practicing artists who come to the Jordan Valley to advance the center’s vision, while also working on their own personal projects.  The artists lead different projects in cooperation with local communities, and partake in an artistic process that includes the whole community and thusly promotes social change. Two of these artists are Alon Rotem, a screenplay writer; and Maya Arbel – a performance and plastic artist.

Interactive Sculpting

Maya Arbel led creative workshops In cooperation with Life Skills College, an education center for young people with special needs, with the intention of helping them develop special and personal skills through sculpting and movement. Thanks to this project Inspiration and Life Skills now have a shared understanding of how important the need for integration in society is for those with special needs.

Creative Writing Workshops

Alon Rotem directed a weekly writing workshop with the residents of the local Kibbutzes in the Jordan Valley.  The aim was to explore and strengthen personal and communal identities.  This was accomplished by the participants exploration of the question “what is the Kibbutz’s role in the individual’s life today and the past.”  A number of the stories where published and distributed to the local communities.

Following the relief operation in the Philippines in 2013, Brit Olam, as the operational body of Natan (The Israeli Coalition for Disaster Relief), together with Inspiration Arts and Operation Blessing, set up a community center in the village of Pagnamitan in the town of Guiuan. Together with a local partner organization and volunteers, Brit Olam and Inspiration are running a multi-faceted arts program for the benefit of the local community.

The Art, Community and Environment Center works in cooperation with the Anat (Art Gives Contribution) movement, which was founded by Danielle Natalle Kind, who also serves as the Center’s activity manager.  ANAT movement has been working with the Scouts Movement for the past 12 years, and has now expanded their work to include Inspiration.  Former ANAT participants who had just finished a year of civil service, were hosted at the center.  These young activists worked and promoted artistic activities in collaboration with local communities, educational institutions, and individuals from the area. Together with these groups the ANAT members helped put on a Hanukah play with the Kindergarten children of Beit Zera, built a tree house on Inspiration’s property, and hosted an open stage for young artists.

Art as a learning and expressive tool

The Scouts Movement’s “Service Year” volunteers, who live in a commune in Nazareth Illit, held routine activities with Inspiration in the schools of the Jordan Valley.  In collaboration with the regional school Shahaf for special needs education, and Degania, the two organizations worked in tandem to advance art and leadership. The members led workshops on acting, visual art, and music along with education classes and one-on-one tutoring sessions with the children of the valley.

take a look at some pictures…

In September 2014 The Israeli Center for Art, Community and Environment launched at Bikat Kinrot in the Jordan Valley. The center leads activities and projects of community, environmental and activist art, in northern Israel. Aiming to lead social change through art, empower communities and create an egalitarian discourse, and with the belief in the power of community and environment art center, become an agent in promoting art, universal values ​​and improving the quality of life for the entire community. The center will operate in three main branches; Public local and regional art center; Israeli Networking Center for community and environment art; knowledge center promoting training programs, professional and mutual learning in the arts community.

Artistic enterprises in disadvantaged communities will be the main emphasis of the center, thus applying the core Humanitarian value of Inspiration and promoting the power of art and creativity to make a difference for every child and adult in the short and long term. Local talents will integrate in developing projects in the fields of art and education, welfare and community.

Young activist artists lead the projects, together with local communities, in creating artistic processes of social change while including all of the community regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or nationality. These young artists reside at Bikat Kinrot and use it as a base for their regional activities.

Goals

Establishing the first regional center for art, community and environment of its kind in Israel, locating artists on the spearhead of social change and training them to become Inspirational leaders.

Developing and applying models of communal, environmental and active art projects in order to promote a universal cultural approach that believes in the ability of art to create a humanitarian society that advocates peace

Establishing an information and networking center, to promote social-communal art and development, encourage social, employment and economic infrastructure, and assist weak communities in disadvantaged areas around the world.

Creating an Inspiration discourse in the Galilee, through public cooperation and communication between individuals and communities.

Building an infrastructure of teachers, partners and friends as the basis for The International Academy for Arts and Leadership.

Partners of the Program

Bikaat Kinarot NGO, Kibbutz Beit Zera, Kibutz Shaar Hagolan, Anat (Arts as a giving tool) and the Scouts Youth Movements.

Inspiration is accompanied by a volunteering public board, which includes key people in the fields of education, art, business, community and environment.