Shemz Hamilton's Contact Details

Shemz Hamilton's Company Details

Turn Around Projects of the Arts (TAP)

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada • 1 Employees
Performing Arts

Turn Around Projects of the Arts (TAP) is a non-profit organization with the mission to create integrated arts and leadership programs, which foster reciprocal exchange in order to impact and strengthen communities. Our Vision: Connecting Communities through the ArtsOur Values: Arts, Education, Leadership & CommunityIn September 2006, renowned Dub poet, Michael St. George was hired at Brock University in Canada, to teach a class called "Alternative Forms of Theatre". What became known as TAP grew out of the student's desire to work with Jamaican youth. The goal was to foster positive attitudes, generate change, and bring awareness of alternative ways of thinking.2007: The Pilot Project is held in Jamaica! Brock students (18) implement an integrated arts program for over 100 Jamaican participants. TAP returns to Jamaica offering a Summer Arts Program from 2008-2013.2008: TAP becomes a not-for-profit. Brock students (10) travel to Japan for the 2nd TAP Project. They experience the Japanese culture by home staying with the families of the participants.2010 - 2012: TAP begins its 3rd Project in St. Catharines, Ontario. TAP artists are welcomed to The RAFT, a drop-in centre for youth ages 16-24, offering monthly professional artist sessions. 2011-2012: Artists travel to Sambhavna Trust Clinic in Bhopal, India, two years in a row to offer free arts programming to survivors of the 1984 chemical spill. The final product was a mural and is often used in marches and protests in the city. The team also spent time in Chingari Trust, a clinic which supports marginalized sections of Indian society including children, offering dynamic arts workshops.2013: Jamaican participants decide to start their own local organization called TAP Jamaica. We have now focused on offering intensive training programs to the new Board of Directors of TAP Jamaica. Stay tuned for an upcoming TAP India project and more updates from our TAP Jamaica Team!