2017-463-E Arts - Renzo Ortega - 2017-18 Arts Grant Agreement

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DocuSign Envelope ID:DDA1623E-FEA2-4FED-A473-17044A283D43 Artist Project Grant Proposal by Renzo Ortega My Artist Project Grant Proposal is to teach Art Classes in Spanish,for Spanish speaking adults and youth, especially immigrants. The goal is for the artistic expression of the participants to contribute and be part of Orange County's local culture and in turn, represent and highlight the cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking population. This is an opportunity for workers interested in art, to have access to an artistic practice, especially learning techniques of drawing and painting - knowledge that can be applied in daily activities and at work. The classes will include 5 sessions. I will teach drawing, painting, composition and their application to communicate ideas. In each class, a different topic will be developed. The workshops will be a seminar style, encouraging dialogue and exchange through critical commentary, artistic appreciation of works made in class, as well as images of the history of art presented in a slide show. At the end of the program, there will be a presentation of the works, where a certificate of participation will be given. For this reason, a commitment to attend all sessions is required. The classes will be held at the Arts Center in Carrboro. The vision of the Arts Center is to create an educational environment that provides opportunities, inspiration, and tools to all. That is why it is an excellent platform to encourage cultural exchange between the established community and the Hispanic population of Orange County, a growing demographic group and active participant of the local economy. The Arts Center provides excellent facilities to teach art and its location is convenient and accessible to public transportation. This activity will be also the beginning of an ongoing art program in Spanish that I am interested in creating at The Arts Center. As an immigrant artist, I have the responsibility and commitment to facilitate spaces for artistic expression, within our communities. During the 17 years I have lived in the United States, I have noticed that our artistic expressions are not always considered representative of the country's contemporary life. When mainstream society depicts our culture, it commonly shows the past and the exotic, rarely our present experience. This contradicts the impact of our participation in the local economy and community. I believe that if we encourage the art made by members of minority groups, such as the immigrant population that speaks Spanish, we can finally speak of a diverse and equal Orange County. This is a reason why art classes in Spanish are necessary.