Art Projects
Carnegie Community Centre has provided social, educational, cultural and recreational activities for the benefit of the people of the Downtown Eastside since its opening in 1980. We have many areas of programming to meet the diverse needs of our patrons and volunteers but over the years we have put a strong emphasis on community arts as an important tool for individual and group expression, skill and community building, and increasing neighbourhood pride. Ongoing programs such as the music jams, jazz band, theatre & dance workshops, and cultural sharing have engaged and developed the skills and talents of many participants over the years.
Our partnership with local arts and community organizations in large scale projects, such as Walls of Change, Carnegie 100th Anniversary Community Arts Celebration, DTES Community Play and the Heart of the City Festival, has provided avenues for creative development, addressing issues relevant to the community, and working with professional artists to further increase skills and capacity in individuals and in the community.
In addition to the various arts programs and projects that we offer throughout the year in the Centre and at Oppenheimer Park, we are also programming partners in annual events such as the Chinatown Arts & Cultural Festival and the DTES Heart of the City Festival.
Over the past four years we have worked on the following major projects:
Condemned, a Community Opera
On the theme of homelessness, written & composed by Earle Peach with community writers. Performed by community actors and musicians. Original production in October 2006 directed by Susanna Uchatius at Carnegie Community Centre. Remount at Firehall Arts Centre in June 2007 staged by John Cooper.
Carnegie Village Project carnegievillage.blogspot.com
Vancouver Park Board Artist in Residence project with Beverly Dobrinsky and intern Murray Black. Song collecting, voice training and choir development workshops for local residents over 10 months culminated in two public performances in February 2010. The choir will have several performances in this year’s Heart of the City Festival, including a remount of their show on November 5th.
Downtown Eastside Small Arts Grants dtessmallartsgrants.blogspot.com/
In partnership with Vancouver Foundation, 67 arts grants of up to $1000 were awarded to individual DTES artists culminating in an gala at Centre A on June 29, 2010.
First Nations/Chinese Opera
From June 2007 to May 2008, Renae Morriseau and three community writers developed a script based on the historical relationship between First Nations and Chinese communities in Vancouver. Development of the libretto will begin in fall 2010 in partnership with Firehall Arts Centre.
Explore the links in the right margin for more on some of the projects / events.
Rika Uto
Arts & Education Programmer
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