‘That it’s not just about creativity, it is about the person you’re becoming while you’re creating.’ – Charlie Peacock
Who we are:
Arts Reaching Four Corners (ARCO) is an arts community organisation who believe that ‘Creativity for every Child through the Arts’ are as essential to humanity as the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing.
Millions of children grow up without having the opportunity to go beyond their circumstances. ARCO strives to establish programs within orphanages and less privilege communities to prove access and engagement in the arts (music, visual, drama and dance). By teaching children to play an instrument or to paint a beautiful picture, ARCO provides a platform for them to have other means to express themselves beyond words, to grow their self-confidence and self-esteem, and equip them with the skill set and resilience to overcome adversities and an imaginative mind to see beyond their current challenging circumstances.
Our Project
Project Myanmar is the pilot project of Arts Reaching 4 Corners (ARCO). Mid 2016, ARCO were introduced to the Mingalar Parahita School located 75kms from Yangon, Myanmar. With over 600 children 3 to 15 years old, the school provides education and shelter to those orphaned and underprivileged from the surrounding local communities. ARCO established a program in cooperation with the school to provide access and engagement in music, drama, dance and visual arts to help children and young adults. The program develops important life skills for the youth, gives relief to those suffering trauma and grief while making a positive contribution to the physical, mental and social well-being of each individual.
In July 2017, with 70 youth enrolled in the ARCO program along with the establishment of two locally based program team leaders – the program requires additional musical equipment and support for future leadership development workshops.
Why it Matters?
Providing a well-rounded education for every child is one of the most effective ways to fight poverty. It equips children with the skill set and resilience to overcome adversities and an imaginative mind to see beyond their current challenging circumstances.
Objectives/Aims:
- We are not trying to create perfect artists, instead we want to create good human beings. To give them a platform to find meaning. to bring hope through the arts
- Many children are not given the opportunity to develop their talent, particularly when they are poor, and cannot afford an education in the arts. And as such, will also never know if this might be something they could make a livelihood out of
