The First Steps of International Center for Arts and Music in Ouidah, Benin.

Benin, Africa. The Ouidah International Center for Art and Music (Centre International d'Art et Musique de Ouidah, CIAMO) has opened in Benin, Africa, with a goal of providing art and music education to primary school children and teachers, and to offer professional development seminars to area artists. The first school of its kind in the country, Ouidah International Center for Art and Music will offer music and art classes (folk, traditional and modern) taught by a variety of resident and visiting international professionals, and the school itself will be staffed by American teachers funded by the United States Peace Corps, electric guitarist Leni Stern, and a variety of local artists.
The art and music school will teach 300 children and art and music will be part of the daily curriculum, free to all children. It is similar to the art and music model we have in the US for public school students where children in elementary schools have exposure to art and music as part of their curriculum. The Ouidah International Center for Art and Music will be a collaboration between the community , the teachers of the school, and US-based teachers, teaching a variety of styles including those that are native to Benin. We will also be using the school as a model for primary school teacher training throughout Benin so that teachers throughout the country can improve their arts and music teaching skills.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Ciamo
• Art and Music Center
• Ouidah
• John Mark Feilmeyer
• Sarah DuPont
• Herve Cohen
• Leni Stern

[Loehrke1]

SO great to see all of the happy faces of children and the singing and the dancing.

Plus I loved the sweet Chicago Bulls hat.

This will be an AMAZING landmark for future leaders, both men and women, in Benin.

Congratulations!!!!

[davidludman1]

FELICITATIONS a CIAMO!!!

I am so happy to see this wonderful project taking off and to see the children being encouraged to spread their wings! Great Work Everybody! I can't wait to visit!