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?
