May Newsletter
Dear Friends,
We hope you all have been staying safe and well. In the wake of an alarming series of tragic events both domestic and worldwide, we reinvigorate our commitment to forge human connections through the arts in hopes of fostering empathy and compassion. In the spirit of collaboration and partnership, we are energized in our efforts in sharing our initiatives with you all.
US Embassy Jakarta and Arts Envoy Initiative: The Triple Threat Academy
This month marks the monumental end of our featured collaborative project, The Triple Threat Academy. This program was a 3 month intensive online capacity building program in collaboration with Jakarta Performing Arts Community (JPAC), US Embassy Jakarta and the Arts Envoy Initiative. Designed for young aspiring Indonesian artists, this program aims to connect professional U.S. Broadway artist to mentor and empower local artist to use their artistry to improve their livelihood, address social issues and shape a more inclusive society. TCP founder and director, Carla Canales, has been leading this program since its initiation on March 23rd, until the end of the program on June 29th. Along with Canales joins Broadway artists Andrea Burns (In the Height, West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast) and Gabi Stapula (choreographer on The View, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon).
As the title suggests, the program is intended to train participants in 3 aspects of artist development: performance artistry, advocacy and entrepreneurship. These areas seek to strengthen and diversify young artists’ capacity for singing/acting/dancing, amplifying stories of influential social leaders and transferring these ideas into entrepreneurial ventures. In addition to the advocacy side, the participants will draw from The Canales Project’s own Hear Her Song initiative by teaching participants to compose stories and songs inspired by the endeavors of a number of Indonesian female leaders. These honorees include Sri Mulyani (Minister of Finance of Indonesia), Butlet Manurung (educational advocate for indigenous communities) and Renitasari Adrian (patron of arts and culture).
“The United States continues to support Indonesia’s vibrant creative economy, including the talented young actors, musicians and dancers who have experienced challenges during the pandemic. Art can uncover solutions for social problems, advance inclusion and diversity, and help spur economic growth. We hope the Indonesian artists who participate in the Triple Threat Academy can use their new skills to benefit their communities”. - Emily Y. Norris, Cultural Affairs representative for the US Embassy, Jakarta.
Future of Cultural Diplomacy
You can now access all sessions to the ‘Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy’ Study group sessions on our FCD webpage! You can also access all other resources, opt-in information, and previous sessions of the FCD Seminar Series.
Thank you as always for your support, and please feel free to reach out at anytime for any inquiries.
Warmest regards,
The Canales Project