EMC arts conference

The Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in collaboration with the National Gallery of Jamaica will host its Inaugural Arts Conference under the theme “The Arts: Catalyst for Caribbean Development” October 13-14, 2011.

The Conference will address a range of critical issues and themes relating to the importance of the arts in nation building and wealth creation in the Caribbean.

The main speakers will include leading thinkers from the region and the diaspora as well as papers, workshops, performances and exhibitions by researchers, educators and practitioners presented in innovative ways.

The purpose of the conference is to create a platform for discourse with practitioners, writers, researchers and arts educators as well as to create interdisciplinary dialogue on the role of the arts in economic development. To create a place for critical exchange, examination and exploration of ideas that make the connection with the arts to society, on the stage, in the studios and theatres, in the classroom, in museums and galleries, in the streets and communities.
The 2011 conference, aims at initiating discourse between artists, artistes, Art Educators, academics and researchers, exhibition participants and organisers, arts writers and critics, arts policymakers and advocates, arts administrators, curators, cultural workers, media specialists, students and faculty in all arts related fields and other business stakeholders, bringing together an international, interdisciplinary audience in order to share knowledge and experience; share research findings on issues related to practitioners and education in dance, drama, visual art, music and other art forms; strengthen the network of researchers on art issues; and encourage research in the fields of the visual and performing arts and in other important but neglected areas in the arts.

Participants are asked to submit written papers before or after the conference for possible publication in the ‘Junkanoo’, the first Journal publication of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

Proposals are invited on any of the sub-themes listed below. Please include in your abstracts the title and a brief outline of the presentation. Abstracts must also be accompanied by a brief biography. This can be sent via email to the following address artsconference2011@emc.edu.jm. Email submissions should have in the subject CALL FOR PROPOSALS.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS December 12, 2010.

Below is a list of possible sub themes. Other related themes are welcomed:
• Art and economic development,
• Art and investment
• Community engagement, empowering people through the arts
• Research in the arts
• Visual arts education in the Caribbean
• CSME facilitating the movement of artistes
• The transformative practice of the arts
• Dancehall and reggae as art
• Legal issues in the arts
• Ethical practices in the arts
• Education in the arts
• Teaching theatre, dance, music and visual arts in the Caribbean
• Art as a best practice
• Art therapy
• Philosophizing the arts
• Gender issues in the arts
• Cultural connections through the arts
• Diverse approaches and contemporary practices in the visual arts
• Caribbean identity in the arts
• The Art industry
• Music industry
• Art and development
• Art management
• Media and development
• Virtual technology
• Teaching in the arts

Enquiries may be made by calling:
Keino Senior (co-chair) or Carol Hamilton (co-chair)
at the Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts:
(876)754-8830-1/4 or by
e-mail:artsconference2011@emc.edu.jm