Volunteer at Fundacion Arte del Mundo

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Banos

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: ongoing

Description: You would be working approximately 6 hours a day at the center operated by the "Fundacion Arte del Mundo" (FAM) which is dedicated to work in the cultural arts and literacy. The center recognizes the importance of art and literature in the lives of people, especially the lives of children. FAM is currently working to provide arts and literacy programming for kids and adults who don't have access to these experiences in their lives due primarily to lack of resources and infrastructure.

Your volunteer commitment would require up to 6 hours of work a day split between:
1. planning and leading arts workshops with kids one to two times a week in conjunction with other volunteers and a local organizer.
2. Planning and assisting with arts workshops aimed at local teachers and educators.
3. Helping with arts and design projects in and around the Fundacion Arte del Mundo.
4. General shared duties.

Depending on availability, we can usually offer living accommodations in the center for a competitive price. There is a shared kitchen available and the location is very near the center of town.

Highlights: Besides doing the wonderful job of providing joy and inspiration for the local population, you'll also be able to enjoy the many benefits of living in one of the most beautiful mountain villages in all Ecuador. Baños is often called the gateway to the jungle and is surrounded by verdant mountains, part of the upper Pastaza River watershed a rich and diverse ecosystem.

Baños itself is a vibrant community of about 15,000 inhabitants with several natural hot spring facilities, a famous basilica, a good selection of restaurants, a choice of excellent Spanish schools as well as agencies that rent bicycles and motorbikes and offer a chance to participate in the many outdoor activities and excursions available to discover the surrounding areas.

Qualifications: FAM is seeking talented Spanish-speaking artists, inspiring Arts Educators and workshop leaders, who are interested in sharing their skills at the foundation center and willing to be hands-on collaborators with our weekly arts workshops aimed at children and youth. Children are generally from 5-14 years old. We're also developing a series of workshops aimed at local teachers.

If you're experienced and self motivated - someone who is brimming with ideas; someone who can work independently and can carry through a project from start to finish - then we can offer you in house support and lots of eager kids to inspire! We prefer volunteers with a minimum age of 23.

Cost in US$: approximately USD 10/day in house or independently

Experience Required: yes

We are looking for those experienced in arts education for this particular position. In any case the person should be able to conduct an arts workshop for children and/or youth with minimal supervision in Spanish.

Age Range: minimum age of 23.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 1-3

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Fundacion Arte del Mundo's Mission Statement: The founding members of Fundacion Arte del Mundo (FAM) recognize the importance of art and literature in the lives of people, especially the lives of children. Art and art-related activities are often the only part of a person's life where there are no right or wrong answers, where all are equal to create and imagine, where you are encouraged to experiment. FAM, located in the town of Baños, Ecuador, is currently working to provide arts and literacy programming for kids and adults in the area, who don't have access to these experiences in their lives due primarily to lack of resources and infrastructure.

Year Founded: 2006