About

Artists4Aid is an initiative of Mobile Art School in Kenya (MASK). 

Artists4Aid is designed to bring an international base of volunteer artists to Kenya to give art workshops to children in schools and put on exhibitions of children's work in local communities. 

Aims

The main purpose of Artists4Aid is not to raise professional artists - although it can be a by-product - but to nourish and develop children's creative skills.  We wish to give African children an opportunity to be exposed to new ways of seeing and to fresh ideas about the nature of materials and functions of art. 

Artist4Aid aims are:

• enhance, develop and nurture children's talents

• expand their world view by exposing them to new ideas

• encourage traditional and individual art

• promote children's contemporary arts in the communities

• give them the possibility of communicating through their art

• establishing a connection between Western and African contemporary art practices

•  furthering the careers of the most talented children as African professional artists

We also aim:

• To establish MASK Art Studio in Kenya.  There are currently no art schools in Kenya.  MASK plans to build a permanent well-equipped art studio in Kenya, which will be a cradle for art studies and cultural exchange.  A group of 40 children from all ethnic groups, particularly from those who are at conflict with each other, will be invited to the MASK Studio for 2-3 weeks during school holidays to live at the Studio (residential dormitories) and study and participate in daily painting, sculpting, printing and drama workshops, local excursions for live drawing, and the Final Exhibition.

• To set up MASK Award (long-term plan).  Children demonstrating a special talent for art will be eligible for the MASK Award, offering them a chance to study art at leading international art schools.  

Where:

At the moment, Artists4Aid works in two centres in Kenya, and we have plans to expand into other African countries.

Centre 1            Sipili, a traditional village in West Laikipia in northern Kenya.  You will be residing in Olivia Court Hotel, a very simple, but friendly local hotel.  The Olivia is situated within a walking distance from the schools where you will be working. 

Centre 2            Naivasha (details are to be added)

Artists:

The artists of Artists4Aid include those working in visual arts, i.e.:

painting, sculpture, photography, installation,

performance, conceptual & multimedia arts, and contemporary music, and

experimental dance and theatre.

As a volunteer you will:

• Fund your own trip.  Estimated cost of the trip £2,000 for 2-3 weeks. This includes: return economy flights, transfers within Kenya, hotel and food.  You will have to arrange: your own travel insurance, required vaccinations, visa (bought on arrival), any extra travel and entertainment, and any minor medical costs in country.

MASK can help you to fundraise for your trip, both with ideas and in practical terms.  We will create you an Appeal page on MASK's JustGiving website which you can use to fundraise with your family and friends.

• Donate some of your artwork to MASK.  These can be pieces resulting from your work in Kenya during the trip, and/or your other artwork.  Your artwork will be auctioned at our regular annual fundraising event in order to support MASK's Award and a permanent MASK Studio in Kenya.  If you are a mucisian, dancer or involved in theatre you will be asked to perform at our regular annual fundraising event.

• Give daily art workshop to a groups of 20 schoolchildren in their school.  MASK's Kenyan staff will look after you.  They will introduce you to the schools' Headmasters, local settings and assist you at the workshops.  The duration of your trip could be anything from one week and must be undertaken during Kenyan academic year, but not during Kenyan schools holidays in January, April and August.

• Organise exhibitions of children's work in schools and in the local community.  The community exhibition can be indoor or outdoor, and held in local shops, churches, at markets, or can even be a 'walking' exhibition in a village.

• Write your blog for MASK's website during or after you have returned.

What volunteers will get out of participating:

This is a great initiative for you, even if you never taught art to children before.  Sharing with them your knowledge and inspiration, you will be offering children a life-changing experience, transforming their self-confidence and motivation.  They will reward you with great abilities to grasp new ideas, a desire to learn, and certainly with evidence of their talents.  These children will no doubt touch your heart! 

You will also have the time of your life.  Africa is magnificent!  The experience will no doubt inspire you and your own art.  Not only you will travel through stunningly beautiful Kenyan landscapes and its exotic wildlife, you will experience a different world living and working among Kenyan people.  Although some things (such as poverty and need) may be difficult to deal with, you will have a unique experience, see extraordinary lives and make life-long friends.

How ARTISTS4AID works:

1.       Fill in MASK Artists4Aid Application Form and post it to MASK together with two written references from people who have known you for some time but are not friends or family.  To download click Application Form or fill in online (this is in process of being set up).  We will arrange a meeting with you if you are successful.  You will need to complete a Standard Disclosure Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check form, which costs £30.

You must read Artists4Aid Terms & Conditions,  but please do not return the Terms and Conditions with your Application Form.

2.       We will give you basic training regarding MASK's workshops, an induction on our Child Protection policy, cultural and local customs.  You will have a chance to talk through the programme with MASK directors and trustees, and get an idea about what to expect, and what the programme expects from you.  We will brief you on health, security and accommodation and give you advice on what you’ll need to take with you and things you might need to sort out before you go.  We’ll have someone at the airport in London to meet you and help you with any last minute queries before you board the flight.  You’ll need to have your valid passport, and buy a visa to Kenya at your arrival in Nairobi.  In Kenya you’ll be met at the airport by a MASK representative and transportated to Sipili or Naivasha. 

3.       You will have to sign up to and abide by MASK Terms and Conditions, MASK Code of Conduct, Child Protection Code of Conduct and Child Protection Policy. 

 Artists4Aid Terms & Conditions