Children and young adults will have an exciting opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of creativity starting next month at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

The programme, which starts on October 4, is an intensive arts workshop held weekly and intended for children ages four to 18. It expands on the success of EMCVPA’s popular summer Arts Programme, which was created for youth ages four to 18 to provide them with an interdisciplinary experience where they engage in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts.

Dorraine Reid, Director of the School of Continuing Education and Allied Programmes, shared insights into the significance of the programme:

“This specially designed workshop is an ongoing arts engagement for children, aimed at encouraging creativity, self-expression, cooperation, and self-confidence through the arts. Exposure to the arts not only provides a creative outlet but also has long-lasting positive effects on children’s development. It is vital in nurturing Jamaica’s next generation of performers, artists, and creatives.”

The Junior Arts Workshop offers a valuable platform for children and teenagers to explore their artistic potential while building key life skills such as confidence and teamwork, the institution said, noting that it will run every Saturday from October 4 to December 21, 2024, from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. Children ages 4–12 will participate in general art activities, while teenagers (13–18) will have specialised sessions including dance classes in Caribbean folk, modern contemporary, and dancehall.

For those interested in animation and other visual arts and music programmes, classes will also be offered on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, providing a unique opportunity for participants to explore the intersection of creativity and technology.