Shabaka Thompson (UK)

International Conference
Performing Arts Training Today

PROGRAMME

Shabaka Thompson (UK)

Carnival Arts and Its Impact on Arts Education

Shabaka Thompson

Shabaka Thompson is a cultural activist and social engineer working in community politics for over two decades in Canada, Trinidad, Britain and Africa. As the Director of London’s leading African combined arts centre, the Yaa Asantewaa Arts and Community Centre, Shabaka initiated a major capital project called the Carnival Village which will contribute to the development and sustenance of African art. In 2005 he was seconded from Yaa to become CEO of Carnival Village based in Notting Hill, London where he provided the necessary strategic support and expertise towards the development of a viable and more independent carnival organization with increased authority for governing, producing and marketing the Notting Hill Carnival. Shabaka also lectures in schools, colleges and universities on Carnival Arts. He conducts workshops in primary and secondary schools across Britain and has presented papers at national and international Carnival Arts conferences.

Presentation Overview

• Overview of Carnival Arts and how Yaa/Carnival Village has developed an Educational context: focusing on History and Heritage
• Carnival and the Creative Industries: Creating Career opportunities
• Viewing of Film "A Story Yaa Knows", which addresses the historical presence of Black people in Britain since 1500
• Question and answers and sharing of resources relevant to Carnival Arts

Carnival is now a global phenomenon that brings together people of all backgrounds, races and cultures in an atmosphere of shared enjoyment. Its importance as a vehicle for cultural awareness, interaction and inter-national tolerance is unique. Carnival Arts is a new agenda – one that analyses, researches and re-presents diverse aspects of carnival in an educational-cultural-historical nexus and proposes a broader use of carnival in world communities.

The Yaa Asantewaa Arts & Community Centre in London has been at the forefront of the carnival movement for over a decade. In that time it has won annual awards at the Notting Hill Carnival, launched a series of educational projects in mask and costume making, exhibitions, steel-pan making and training, and inaugurated Europe’s first Calypso Tent, which features in the run-up to annual celebrations in London. The Centre has promoted carnival as a heritage resource that is now shared and enjoyed by the widest sector of global audiences.

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