Rex Nettleford Arts Conference at the Edna Manley School of Visual and Performing Arts
The Edna Manley School of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA), the leading voice in regional training in arts and culture, presents the 4th biennial Rex Nettleford Arts Conference (RNAC), October 11-13, 2017 to culminate their 40th anniversary celebrations.
Established in 2011, the biennial conference honours the life and works of dancer, writer and scholar, Professor the Hon. Raltson Milton “Rex” Nettleford, founder of the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) and a major influence on the development of the School of Dance. The Rex Nettleford Arts Conference brings together arts educators and artists(es) from all over the world to share their knowledge and experiences as well as research in the creative and cultural industries.
The theme for this year’s conference – Arts and Culture for the 21st Century - Millennial Dis-engagement, Engagement and Re-Engagement” comes against the background that the youth of today are somewhat disconnected to the presentation of arts and culture and exploring how youths can be connected to the creative industries through technology. The conference will seek to create connections and parallels that will break stereotypes and marginalization of the Arts that continue to impede its growth.
The Rex Nettleford Arts Conference 2017 commences on Wednesday October 11 and with a Pre-Conference Culture Tour and a Corporate Tea Party at the School of Drama Amphitheatre at 7:00 PM. The official opening ceremony takes place at the end of Day 1 of conference presentations which includes performances, workshops and a keynote presentation with noted artist Christopher Cozier.
Christopher Cozier, an Interdisciplinary Artist, has participated in many exhibitions focused on contemporary art in the Caribbean and internationally. Since 1989 he has published a range of essays on related issues in several catalogues and journals. He was on the editorial collective of Small Axe, A Caribbean Journal of Criticism, (1998-2010), and has been an editorial adviser to BOMB magazine for their Americas issues (Winter, 2003, 2004 & 2005).
Final day's activities end with the first staging of The Listeners in the Dennis Scott Studio Theatre. Performance dates are October 13-15 and October 27-29.
The EMCVPA invites members of the public to come and participate in the various presentations, panel discussions and workshops while enjoying the exciting Music, Dance, Theatre Productions, Art Exhibitions, Tours and Displays. Information on tickets and schedules can be found at: http://emcartsconference.org
