“ARTPORT_MAKING WAVES BUILDS BRIDGES NOT ONLY BETWEEN DIFFERENT CULTURES, BUT BETWEEN THE ARTS, SCIENCE, AND POLITICS. I AM DELIGHTED TO BE PART OF SUCH A VISIONARY PROJECT.”

—SANTIAGO CALATRAVA

ARTPORT_making waves is an international art and sustainability project that raises awareness about climate change through theme-oriented exhibitions, residency programs, and artists collaborations.  ARTPORT_making waves was founded in 2006 by two international curators, Corinne Erni and Anne-Marie Melster. In 2009, curator and art historian Oliver Orest Tschirky joined the team. ARTPORT_making waves is based in Valencia, Spain, New York City, and Zurich, Switzerland.

Cancun: 2 Degrees of Separation-Nov 29-Dec 10, 2010

Engaging art where it matters—at the heart of the most important climate conference in the world!

In this comprehensive art project in conjunction with COP16 in Mexico, the program spans contemporary video art; recent film productions; interactive public art performances and interventions by renowned international artists; and panel discussions with artists, scientists and politicians on the impact of art in a political environment.

The project title emphasizes the importance of reducing the increase of global temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius, in order to avoid catastrophic natural disasters. It also refers to the famous term “Six degrees of Separation,” which explores the existential premise that everyone in the world is connected to everyone else by a chain of no more than six acquaintances, thus all of mankind is interconnected and needs to take care of each other.

PARTICIPATE IN THE MOBILE VIDEO CONTEST!

Send in 20 seconds of YOUR VISION OF A SOLUTION for the planet. Learn more at www.my20sec.org

DONATE!

Learn more about the groundbreaking live art performance, La Isla Hundida (The Drowned Island) by artist Javier Velasco with hundreds of school children during the UN climate conference in Cancun… and help make this happen through Kickstarter! Even a small contribution can go a long way. http://kck.st/92oUXD

ARTPORT_(Re-) Cycles of Paradise-Nov 11-Jan 16, 2011(First presented at COP15 in Copenhagen, Dec 2009)

In (Re-) Cycles of Paradise, a group of international artists present thought-provoking and interactive art installations focused on women as agents of climate change solutions. The exhibition originates from the hypothesis that the world is, by necessity, the only possible paradise that we can create and conserve. Through video installations, photography, drawings, and large-scale sculptures, the artists explore links between the destruction of nature and the suffering of women, revealing hidden or unknown aspects of the interrelation of gender and climate change. Gender issues are scrutinized as part of a process to reverse climate change. “Paradise” is no longer a long-lost ideal world but can be recreated as a contemporary, more sustainable place on earth.

Artists participating in Copenhagen: Kim Abeles (USA), Subhankar Banerjee (India/USA), Charley Case/masalla (Spain/Belgium), Meschac Gaba (Benin/NL), Anita Glesta (USA), Nnenna Okore (Nigeria/USA) Frances Whitehead (USA), Insa Winkler (Germany).

Additional artists for Mexico: Ander Azpiri (Spain), Yolanda Gutiérrez (Mexico), Perla Krauze (Mexico), Betsabee Romero (Mexico), Javier Velasco (Spain).

For more info please visit: WWW.ARTPORT-PROJECT.ORG

“The hope for our world is in these young children who come to us, because they will make the future good and wonderful….That’s what it is all about.”  - Carol Henriquez, O.C., cofounder of Arts Umbrella, honorary chair of the Arts Umbrella board of directors.

The Story of Arts Umbrella

Arts Umbrella began as a dream of a woman named Carol Henriquez. Together with her friend Gloria Schwartz, they had a dream to instill in all children, a love of the arts, inspiring them to become confident, productive, creative and healthy citizens.  It was a dream to build a centre that would awaken the artistic potential of young people in a way that hadn’t been done before.  In 1979, United Nations’ International Year of the Child, Arts Umbrella opened its doors to 45 children. The need for children’s arts education in the community was clearly evident, and Arts Umbrella took off instantly.  From those early days, Arts Umbrella has flourished with a strong vision and an unwavering focus on inspiring kids for life through the arts by providing the highest quality visual and performing arts education to children, regardless of their financial circumstances.

At Arts Umbrella, children experience the joy of creation and discover their own creative potential.  Most important, through arts education, children gain self confidence, independent thinking, technical skills, discipline, and even improved academic results and specific career direction.  Each year, more than 13,000 young people who may face geographical, cultural or financial barriers to accessing arts education, participate in Arts Umbrella programs free of charge or at a reduced rate through bursaries, scholarships and outreach programs.  Outreach programs harness the Arts Umbrella magic and deliver free-of-charge programs to students in vulnerable communities.

“I dreamed about opening a music school for inner city youth for a long time. The success of this project lies in seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces while they play and seeing how proud they feel from their accomplishments.”  - Sarah McLachlan

Sara McLachlan Music Outreach Project

photos by Kyoko Fierro (SMMO year-end performance, award winners with Sarah McLachlan)

Based on Arts Umbrella’s longstanding reputation in the community and extensive experience in delivering arts education, when international recording artist Sarah McLachlan wanted to realize her dream of creating a music school, she turned to Arts Umbrella.

Since 2002, Arts Umbrella has partnered with Sarah McLachlan to offer free, high-quality instruction to youth in grades 4 to 12, from inner-city schools. Students receive high quality music instruction, with a foundation in classical practices and techniques, in guitar, piano, percussion and choir, led by professional musician instructors. Students have the opportunity to explore their creative process through songwriting, playing in an ensemble and recording their own original work.  Public performances allow students to develop their musical skills, foster pride and reach out to the community.

East Vancouver is home to Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach Project and where young people can explore their creative potential and develop positive peer connections that will inspire them to succeed in life, in addition to building a life-long love of music and enthusiasm for learning.  The program is supported by the Sarah McLachlan Foundation.

To learn how you can support the program please visit:

http://www.artsumbrella.com/support