To get the latest news and weekly updates and pictures from our Global Arts After School class, please visit our CMH Global Arts After School Blog! 

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand new after school program. CMH After School is a program for middle and high school students designed to foster empathy and cultural understanding through a unique curriculum that integrates hands-on arts learning with social skills training and cultural awareness. Studies show that creativity and empathy are key attributes of successful learners and leaders. It is our goal with this program to work towards developing these characteristics as well as cultural understanding in each and every student we have the opportunity to serve.

CMH After School will offer four concurrent nine-week sessions in fine arts, photography, theatre arts and comic book creation. Students will have the opportunity to choose which artistic modality they would like to study. Each class and class project will incorporate an artistic exchange or “pay it forward” component where the students are required to use their newly acquired skills to improve their community or that of their brothers and sisters in other countries experiencing conflict or the aftermath of a natural disaster. This exchange component is the cornerstone not only of CMH After School but also of our mission as a whole.

After School Photography Program Overview
In January 2012 our first CMH Global Arts After School program will be photography. Students will learn the basics of digital photography, including camera functions, lighting, framing, context, portraiture, digital editing, printing and photo collage. A “cultural context” thread will focus on learning about life in Haiti through the eyes of photojournalists, as well as more broad lessons about what photojournalism is, and the role it plays in social activism. Youth will ultimately explore the ways that photography – their own work and that of professional photographers – is a powerful tool for increasing empathy and public awareness of people living in the midst of global crises.

Cultural Component
The CMH 2012 program will place a special emphasis on creative outreach to Haitian youth. Throughout the nine-week course, information about Haiti’s population, social structure, culture, economy, environment and post-earthquake challenges will be integrated into each session, through use of direct discussion and teaching resources.

For a more in depth look at what our students will be learning throughout the program, please see the photography course curriculum overview below:

Week 1
Arts Component: Introduction to Photography, Photojournalism and Classroom photo tools.
Social Component: Workshop expectations, introduction to terms, including: Emotional Literacy, Empathy, Global Citizenship and Self-Empowerment.
Cultural Component: Haiti – location and population.		   Week 6
Arts Component: Guest Photojournalist Visit
Social Component: Communication Skills
Cultural Component: Haitian language and life attitudes
Week 2
Arts Component: Camera Basics, Introduction to Portraiture.
Social Component: Introduction to Emotional Literacy
Cultural Component: Haitian Earthquake		   Week 7
Arts Component: Self-Portrait Exchange Project
Social Component: Respecting Differences
Cultural Component: Animistic belief, Voudou and its role in Haitian culture
Week 3
Arts Component: Photo framing and context.
Social Component: Understanding Point of View and Empathy.
Cultural Component: Haitian Social Structure & Economy		   Week 8
Arts Component: Self-Portrait Exchange Project
Social Component: Barriers to Empathy & Helping
Cultural Component: How is the world helping post-earthquake Haiti?
Week 4
Arts Component: Lighting and mood in photography.
Social Component: Emotional Literacy and cultural context.
Cultural Component: Earthquake impact on Haitian youth.		   Week 9
Arts Component: Completion & Packaging of Exchange Project
Social Component: Putting Caring & Citizenship skills to work
Cultural Component: Commonalities between Haitian & American youth.
Week 5
Arts Component: Digital Editing Skills, Presenting/Displaying creative work.
Social Component: Listening and Supportive Observation Skills
Cultural Component: Poverty and Daily Life for Haitian youth		    

***At the end of the 9-week period, the student’s Artwork will be placed on display and a final party will be had for students to invite family and friends to view their work.

***Also at the end of the 9-week period the Program Coordinator will travel to Haiti with a copy of the student’s work. Once in Haiti CMH will facilitate a 1-week Photography workshop for Haitian Students. Ultimately when the art exchange is complete the American Students and Haiti students will each have a photo book consisting of their own work and the work of their foreign counterpart.