To encourage and educate kids during Covid-19, dozens of artists, local personalities and skilled community members have voluntarily rushed to create content for a new video series called ‘Art of Life’.
Developed by the Foundation for Education Perth Huron, the series is made up of arts-based and life skill-themed videos with the sole purpose of encouraging and enriching kids in challenging times – like the current pandemic.
Each video is between 5 and 20 minutes long and touches on themes like drawing technique, gardening, sewing, cake decoration, music-making and mental health strategies.
“We want young people to see that we’re all in this together, to experience care and courage and creativity from our video hosts and to fill some of the holes that education systems can’t at this time”, states Foundation Executive Director Wes MacVicar regarding the purpose of the initiative.
The project is a digital embodiment of the Foundation’s new strategic values of community, creativity, collaboration and courage.
Video hosts for the Art of Life series are referred to as ‘Special Agents’. They are predominately current or one-time Perth and Huron residents and range from 11 to 64 years of age.
For many, videotaping themselves was a new and uncomfortable venture.
“Some were understandably shy to begin – it’s not easy to put yourself out there. But we’ve been impressed with all of the submissions and are happy to report that our agents are feeling a sense of community, purpose and pride through their involvement. Some of the once bashful agents are even plotting out more episodes.”
The series currently boasts 20 videos with many more episodes coming throughout the remainder of the school year.
The Art of Life series is officially launched and the Foundation is inviting educators from Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board and Avon Maitland District School Board, parents, local community and the world to introduce it to kids.
The series can be viewed and subscribed to via the Foundation’s YouTube Channel
The Foundation’s Art of Life video series features creative, caring and courageous ‘Special Agents’ from all walks of life. Through arts-based or life skill themed videos, these agents send gloom packing as they encourage and enrich kids in challenging times – like the current pandemic.
View the series here.
New episodes will be added throughout the crisis and we are always on the lookout for great content and people.
Become a Foundation Special Agent!
Want to rescue kids from GLOOM on a grand and fun scale while trying something new yourself?
If you are someone who is creative, caring and courageous and get excited about the idea of uplifting and enriching kids during this challenging time, you are well on your way to becoming a Foundation Special Agent through our Art of Life video-short series.
What is an Art of Life video?
Glad you asked! Please see an example episode:
What are we looking for?
- People who want to uplift and enrich kids
- People who are willing to give their time
- People who are willing to video themselves
- Arts-based* or life skill** themes
- Inclusive content (economical, accessible)
- Activities that include only basic home supplies (if applicable )
- Between 5 and 15 minutes in length
- Well-lit, good audio
Who can be a Special Agent?
It doesn’t matter who you are – young, not so young, in Perth Huron, Iceland or in South Africa – if it hits the mark we’ll proudly present it.
So, why these videos?
- We want young people to see that we’re all in this together
- We want them to experience care and courage and creativity through our agents
- We want our agents to feel a sense of community, purpose and pride as well
- We want to fill the holes that education systems can’t fill at this time
- The Foundation’s values are based on Community, Creativity, Collaboration and Courage, so … you know
Who will see it?
Anyone who visits the Foundation for Education’s YouTube channel, Hollywood film studios plus anyone you invite to watch it!
*What do you mean by Arts-based?
The arts refers to the “human application and expression of creativity through skills and imagination in order to produce objects, environments and experiences.”
**What do you mean by Life Skills?
There are many such skills, but 10 core life skills laid down by WHO are:
- Self-awareness.
- Empathy.
- Critical thinking.
- Creative thinking.
- Decision making.
- Problem Solving.
- Effective communication.
- Interpersonal relationship.
OK, so what about things like …
- Sewing?
- Telling time?
- Cursive writing?
- Knitting?
- Food preparation?
- Basic knots?
- Folding clothes?
- Meditation?
- Cleaning?
- Money management?
- Map reading?
- Telling one good joke?
Umm, YES PLEASE!
When do you need the video?
As soon as possible as we’d like to get your good work in front of kids during this time of lockdown.
How do I get the video to the Foundation?
Agents can upload the video to Google Drive and then email the link. They can upload the video to Dropbox and then email the link. Or, they can upload the video to a YouTube Channel if they have one, send the link and we can download the video from there.
Please email: wes@foundationforeducation.ca or send the link via direct message through our Facebook Page.
Other than the video, what does the Foundation need?
Please fill out the 2-minute Google Form:
In this you will:
- Include your desired name(s) to be used so that we can acknowledge you flawlessly in the video.
- State the age range that the video is aimed at, materials need, etc
- Give consent for your image to be used
- Include any promotional information we can use to acknowledge you in the video and/or in the YouTube description ie. website link, social media page link, logo, etc
Once you become an official Special Agent:
Promote your video(s) and the entire Art of Life series via your social media network (a link will be shared with you).
Pass it on! – Encourage others you know to be Special Agents – all in an effort to encourage and equip young people during this challenging time!
Through you, GLOOM will meet its match!
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Keep up with the episodes as we build the series at ArtOfLifePlaylist
And follow us on: