THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is common knowledge that art as a subject of study has been sidelined by a society that seeks to play it safe and opt for industries that delivers assured financial returns.
“Art as a subject is not very popular; it is seen as something very strange by a lot of people,” says Tanya Abraham, who has launched The Art Outreach Society (TAOS) as an initiative to set things right.
Launched as a not-for-profit in April, TAOS, perhaps the first of its kind in the state, aims to provide a platform to show how art and creativity can transform lives.
Why Art?
“Exposure to art stimulates the right part of the brain, the part that is connected with creativity, besides opening up new options for study and career among students. Therapeutically, it helps in emotional healing on a subconscious level, and helps build social and communal understanding,” says Tanya, who is also creative director of Kashi Art Cafe in Fort Kochi.
She finds it important that children in schools be trained to appreciate art and creative thinking, since they stimulate the brain to work better and help improve academic performance. Towards this, the society plans to rope in art educators and volunteers and putting in place a programme. Art therapy workshops will be held at shelter homes to help inmates cope with emotional trauma.
Also in the pipeline are public art programmes where art will be used to address certain issues or bring about social change, as part of its efforts to bring about understanding between communities.
In a not-for-profit venture such as this, raising funding is a challenge. “A fundraising move to generate art awareness is less likely to find takers, since people are not easily convinced with the significance of art,” she says.
TAOS has a number of pilot projects lined up for the year, before taking the leap into full fledged art education programmes. Further plans like hosting art works by international artists and heritage appreciation events are also in the pipeline. “In the long run, we hope to adopt a number of government schools and have continual art education programmes,” Tanya adds.