Spotlight on Soundbone Traditional Arts Foundation's Arts for All Initiative
Everyone has the capacity to participate in, enjoy or create art, regardless of age, ability or skill level. But sometimes, there are barriers to accessing the arts, based on any number of factors. Through their latest initiative, the Soundbone Traditional Arts Foundation is sharing the message that the arts are for all.
A non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the musical, dance, and storytelling traditions of Newfoundland and Labrador, Soundbone has a suite of programs aimed at people of all ages.
Funded by the province's Year of the Arts initiative, Arts for All grew out of Soundbone's Cultural Ambassador program, which has been providing young musicians with summer employment, performance experience and mentorship since 2017. This latest program (which kicked off online in 2020) employs professional artists across the province to deliver traditional arts programming, bringing the arts to those who may not otherwise have access. It was inspired by Live Music Now, a UK initiative that aims to bring live music to those with reduced access
Currently, Arts for All consists of eight artists representing a variety of disciplines including fibre arts, storytelling, folk music, traditional Chinese music, and visual arts. Soundbone has partnered with (or has plans to partner with) a range of groups throughout the community, including seniors homes, daycares and organizations like L'Arche NL (which provides support to individuals with intellectual disabilities), Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador, the Newfoundland Labrador Association of the Deaf, The Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Caribou Memorial Veterans Pavilion.
Catherine Wright (multi-discipline artist, dancer and storyteller) and Len Penton perform during The Neighbourhood Adult Day Program at Bishops Gardens Seniors Living in St. John’s as part of Soundbone’s Arts for All initiative.
"It's going well and things are growing as we go along...we've been able to expand beyond simply music into other traditional arts, both from Newfoundland and abroad, and reach out to different demographics," says Soundbone's Artistic Director, Evelyn Osborne.
Those demographics, she adds, encompass a wide range, from youth to seniors, with a focus on accessibility and inclusion. The artists work collaboratively with the partner organizations to develop programming tailored to the specific needs and interests of participants. Artists also receive mentorship to equip them with the skills and specialist support they need to perform in a variety of settings.
The goal of the program, Osborne says, is to enrich and empower both the artists and the participants, allowing them to connect and engage with the arts in meaningful ways "on whatever level they're able." She notes as an example musician Jing Xia, a St. John's-based guzheng artist and ethnomusicologist, who has shared her skills and talents with participants of the Autism Society's social circus program.
"Danielle Knustgraichen (recreation director) said that she had never seen such high engagement from her participants, as when they were working with Jing. They were so interested and it really sparked their creativity," Osborne says.
"Generally, it's all been very positive."
Musician Jing Xia plays the guzheng during a performance at Bishops Gardens Seniors Living.
As part of Arts for All, Nikita Sachdeva, a Deaf artist who works in the visual arts, will also be doing a workshop with the Newfoundland Labrador Association of the Deaf, Osborne says.
"We're trying to incorporate people of all abilities on both sides. I'm looking forward to seeing what she does."
Ensuring that everyone can enjoy the arts is an important component of Soundbone's other programs as well. The Vinland Music Camp (which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year), for example, takes place in Bishop's Falls at the Lion Max Simms Memorial Camp, a fully accessible space.
The success of Arts for All is determined by all who participate, and Osborne says she's grateful for the support of everyone who's been involved with the program so far, including the many supportive partnerships within the community. The hope is that everyone can enjoy the arts for a long time to come.
"It's really good work…I just want to keep it going," she says.
"And I love doing those partnerships....It's always nice to be out in the community. We're spreading traditional arts to people who love it."