Argentinian Arts School - Giving Youth a Breakthrough | WPN World People News

"The highlight of my training was the request I received from an events company to create their wardrobe!" Stage designer Diana Carabello said.

"It is very rare for artists to find affordable training and development opportunities that are practical" she added. Diana completed a one-year stage design and tailoring course at a new vocational school for performing arts in La Plata, outside the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires, supported by UNESCO.

The school was established in 2011 by the Foundation Teatro Argentino de La Plata, a national non-governmental organization (NGO) promoting performing arts to a broader audience. UNESCO's International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD) supported the start up of the school and the goal is to develop the skills of unemployed youth and adults by teaching them theatre and production techniques at a minimal cost. Argentina has a varied scene of music, dance, theatre, cinema, literature and design creative industries which are booming - employing some 300,000 people and representing 3.5 % of the country's GDP. But while the market demand is high, young people find it hard to break through into the industry.

The IFCD supported project helps to meet market demand for creative skills and expertise through the design of intensive one-year courses and by establishing student selection criteria procedures. Modules for training and study include audio-visual, communication strategy work, stage management, stage performance, and creative writing. The Cultural Institute of Buenos Aires was also brought in to help jointly develop four performing arts workshops taught by internationally renowned experts, notably from the Latin American Opera organization. Courses included carpentry, sculpture and props, scenic and space design, lighting, and hair and make-up. Some 586 students completed the opening year of the programme, including Diana Carabello, who has since set-up an arts NGO called Almenara.

"It's great because we also get help to find employment in the cultural sectors" she said.

The art school's job training and placement programme is helping students obtain internships and numerous graduates have found work in performing arts institutions after taking part in the courses.The school is also reaching out into the Latin American region by linking up to students in Colombia, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay who have received training. A network has also been created to sell student artwork, with profits going to the artists and the school, allowing the institution to continue growing.

Source: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization