THE UPBEAT
Art Child a picture of the value of creativity,
The 275 to 300 children who attended this year’s Art Child event Jan. 27 at the Glebe Community Centre were edified by exciting free workshops in dance, card-making, arts and crafts, DJing, film and hairstyling.
In addition, the attendees were thrilled by a fashion show that showcased the stylings of some of Ottawa’s top young designers. The excitement was then elevated by two incredible musical performances by Baiyu and ODmE. Baiyu, a former MTV personality turned pop singer from New York, electrified the audience with her eclectic sound and interactive performance. ODmE, one of Ottawa top rappers, energized the crowd with his inspirational song Dream, the official Art Child theme song.
The message of creativity, self-confidence and individuality advocated in Dream are some of the crucial lessons children are taught through participation in the arts. Given that art plays such a vital role in the development of children, the federal cuts to art spending cannot be ignored. This is why Art Child was created to mitigate the negative impact of reduced art spending on children and, by extension, the negative impact on our society.
A recent Canadian Heritage poll also highlighted the paradox in the importance of art to Canadians and the amount being spent on it by our government. The poll showed that 39 per cent of people say the government should support art a great deal and 48 per cent said art should receive a moderate amount of support. With the unresponsiveness of the government, it is up to us to take the lead in defending youth art and our children’s development. That is why your support for Art Child is so greatly appreciated and necessary.
At Art Child we are committed to continue our efforts to foster the development of art in 2013 and beyond. We are planning on expanding our after-school program at Immaculata High School to include several other schools. Also we have already started scheduling fundraising events for next year’s Art Child so that we can build on this year’s success by making Art Child 2014 a two-day event, with more workshops and serving more children. Despite Art Child’s growing ambition, demand and cost, we are committed to keeping the event free and thus we need your commitment to continue. At Art Child, we are driven and hardworking, but we know we need the support of organizations like yours to be successful.
If you have any questions concerning Art Child or wish to continue your involvement, please email us at artchild@artchildcanada.ca
Art Child would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to city Councillor Mark Taylor, and the City of Ottawa for the crucial role they played. In addition, Art Child would like to recognize the contributions of InDaIndustry, CKCU FM, Impact Dance, Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group, Hair Designs by Paula, DJ 2 Creamz, Carded by Kashani, Models International Management, Aliya Designs, Amy Scarlett, Slaysh, Stella & Dot, L’Hexagone, Mix Salon & Spa, Eperjesy Sound Works, Dream. Love. Grow, RYTEC Printing, Suzette P. Weekes, Independent Filmmakers Co-operative of Ottawa, EH-Team, CTV, Rogers TV, CHUO FM, CHIN FM, DAWG FM, CBC Radio, Ottawa Citizen, Island Flava Restaurant, Dominos, LIUNA Local 527&527A, Kaleidoscope Kids’ Books, Oh So Good Cake & Coffee Bar and all the volunteers.