ITAC GHANA INITIATES PASSION+
“Empowering through the Arts” — A Life-Transforming Project inspired by GHATAAC 1
ITAC GHANA initiates PASSION+ Project; an initiative inspired by Antonia Larde Issifu (ITAC Ghana Coordinator) during the 1st Ghana Teaching Artists and Artistes Conference (GHATAAC1); an emergency call on teaching artists and artists in Ghana to be part of a life-transforming project that seeks to empower our communities through the arts.
Speaking on the opening day of the conference, Antonia passionately provoked the participants to take a critical look at the speedy rise of deviance projected in the arts especially movies, tele novellas and music videos. Since arts is all around us, there is therefore the need to deliberately and consistently educate; guard the minds of all especially the younger generation against all forms of deviance.
This is where teaching artists and artistes come in! GHATAAC1, having opened the participants to this alarming reality, engaged teaching artists and artistes in a capacity building workshop on ARTS PEDAGOGY; facilitated by Peter Atsu Adaletey (ITAC Catalyst and manager of ITAC Ghana). The workshop grouped some participants in a pilot/experimental task which grouped artistes into two groups (each group made up of artistes from different arts disciplines). They were challenged to come up with a five minute collaborative performance.
GHATAAC PARTICIPANTS UNITING IDEAS
The outcome was rich, deep and amazing; a perfect reflection of the theme/expectation of GHATAAC1. It is on the backdrop that Antonia Larde Issifu, together with John Kaledzi, Johannes Laryea and Peter Atsu Adaletey are calling on teaching artists and artistes in Ghana to join the movement.
Under the PASSIONPLUS Project, some artistes and teaching artists have already registered their projects:
TALKING IMAGES — Antonia Larde Issifu; Promoting cleanliness through photography
WALKING STARS — John Kaledzi; Inspiring confidence through modeling
VOICES — Peter Atsu Adaletey; Equipping teaching artists and artistes through capacity building workshops
DANCE4LIFE — Paul Forson (VANASTICGH); Empowering communities through dance.
Other teaching artists and artistes are soon sending in theirs. Though each is tasked with a personal project, all are working under one umbrella where they would have to assist each other.
The International Teaching Artists Collaborative (ITAC) became a year round organisation in 2018, as a result of the appetite created by ITAC’s previous biennial international conferences. We are the first international network created by and for teaching artists, and Artists who work in participatory settings, to develop their practice, create connections and develop our field.
The first of our groundbreaking ITAC Conferences took place in Norway in 2012, instigated by Marit Ulvund through Seanse Art Center and involving Eric Booth. Following its success and the needs expressed by the teaching artist delegates, the organisers made a commitment to hold a biennial international conference focussing on the work of teaching artists. The second ITAC was held in Brisbane in 2014, the third in Edinburgh in 2016 and the fourth in New York in 2018. The biennial events aim to be a dynamic platform for:
Sharing practice, learning and research in the field of participatory arts
Showcasing best and next practice for the host and visiting nations
Generating new connections and building a palpable energy towards an international community.
The ITAC Vision Is…
A world where every country has artists working in the heart of communities and learning. Where these artists are continually improving, internationally connected and well supported, and the potential of the practice and its transformative power is visible and valued.
The ITAC Proposed Outcomes Are….
Improved practice
Better international connectivity
Greater understanding of practice in different countries
Increased opportunity for international collaboration
Greater understanding of the value of the practice across sectors
Increased visibility, support and status for the work.
Take a passion-tour on our resourceful website for further information https://itac-collaborative.com
