MASC: Multicultural Arts for Schools and Communities
by Valerie Marchildon
1. Where to find them: http://www.masconline.ca/en/home.aspx https://www.facebook.com/masc.artseducation/
2. Vision and Goals
2.1. MASC seeks to bring the arts and culture alive for over 100,000 children, youth, teachers and seniors each year. It is driven by a passionate commitment to provide schools and communities with experiences of artistic excellence and of the creative process.
3. How does the agency address equity, inclusion and awareness of cultural diversity?
3.1. MASC programs are delivered in both English and French. and often include other linguistic or cultural aspects.
3.2. MASC has artists from diverse cultural traditions, who offer their services in music, dance, drama, literary, media and visual arts. A few artists representing that rich diversity include: dance performances by Aboriginal Experiences, Propeller Dance (wheelchair dancers), Bboyizm Dance Company and Grupo de Capoeira or Sonia St-Michel (Indian dancer) music shows by Colores Andinos, Galitcha, Celtic Rathskallions or Masabo and Fana Soro Visual Arts workshops with Peoples of the Longhouse, Denis Charette (soapstone sculpture) or Jaime Koebel (Traditional Fish Scale Art)
3.2.1. Most performances or workshops provide a teacher package with additional activities, lessons and resources to further explore the related context, topics, art form, etc.
3.3. The use of the arts has long been a means to cross barriers in culture, language and knowledge. MASC continues this tradition with the belief that the arts allows us to open ourselves to people and traditions that are different than our own.
3.3.1. This allows students from varied backgrounds to see themselves represented in school activities and learning opportunities.