Director of the Dominica Institute for the Arts (DIFA) Athlene Douglas-Murdock, has called for more youth involvement in the arts.
She made the remarks on Thursday, at the closing ceremony for DIFA programs in the visual and performing arts on Thursday evening.
“I’d like to encourage parents to get your children involved in the arts. Some people think it will distract them, but, on the contrary, that’s not so…,” she stated.
Douglas-Murdock expressed hope for a “time when there will be at least one qualified teacher in visual and performing arts in each Dominican school.”
One hundred and two students were recognized, at the closing ceremony, for completing programs in visual and performing arts with DIFA.
The event was punctuated with performances from the children and adults who had taken part in the various programs offered.
Twelve programs were offered, including art, ballet, children’s vocal coaching, contemporary dance, drumming, hand drumming, guitar, keyboard, music theory, steel pan, salsa, and woodcarving.
Meantime, Douglas-Murdock revealed that plans are underway with the University of the West Indies (UWI) to provide courses in the arts from summer 2016 and beyond.
“Plans are afoot to team up with the University of the West Indies, to team up to provide courses in the visual and performing arts in summer 2016 and the year ahead,” she divulged. “And we do hope this can materialize and take the arts in Dominica to the next level…”
See photos from the graduation.
Yes,i thimk we need more of the performing arts in de country.
That may help to open up and develop the minds of the people.
Good job Mrs . Murdock
Well done Athlene and participants!
I know that we both still share the dream that one day Secondary School leavers will have an opportunity of taking a stimulating one-year full-time introductory course in the Visual Arts.