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PROJECT JERICHO TEARS DOWN BARRIERS AND EMPOWERS YOUTH
Project Jericho kids perform African dance moves learned during Summer Arts Camp. Photo: Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun
Clark State Community College's Performing Arts Center in Springfield was brimming with happy campers in late June. Twenty seven young people participated in Project Jericho1s Summer Arts Camp celebrating the music, movement and traditions of Africa.
A collaboration between Clark County Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) and Clark State Community College's Performing Arts Center (PAC), Project Jericho features performances, workshops and artist residencies for at-risk youth and their families.
According to the 2000 US Census, Clark County has a higher incidence of poverty and a lower per capita income than most counties in the state. The children involved with DJFS typically experience problems such as drug or alcohol abuse, inadequate housing, domestic violence and poor anger management. Through the Project Jericho partnership, PAC and DJFS have been able to positively serve young people in ways that neither organization could accomplish separately.
The goal of the Summer Arts Camp was to teach the participants valuable lessons in self-respect, respect for others and commitment. During the week-long camp, kids worked with professional resident artists, Money Taylor and Don Jackson, to learn African dance, acrobatics and percussion. Campers also worked with Project (con't page 2)
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NEW REPORT DETAILS HOW STATES USE ARTS AND CULTURE TO PROMOTE TRADE
The latest Issue Brief from the National Governors Association's Center for Best Practices illustrates how states are expanding international trade opportunities through arts and culture. Faced with tight budget environments, more and more states are realizing that relationships of understanding, respect and trust with other nations form an effective foundation upon which trade partnerships can rest. The Issue Brief presents case studies that illustrate ways that the arts encourage tourism, strengthen business networks, build 3brand identity2 and position states for success in a global marketplace.
The report examined several approaches states use to incorporate arts and culture into trade development including: initiating (con't page 3)
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