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Shanti Foundation for Peace
Shanti Foundation- Influenced by an artist father and a mother, who was a social activist, Johnson believes strongly that art and activism are a powerful combination for social change. In 1993, in response to the rise of ethnic violence the world over, she started Shanti Foundation for Peace, a Chicago area arts based non-profit organization, that fosters the practice of non-violence in everyday life. Shanti creates and implements arts and education programs that help children develop lifelong non-violence decision-making skills, and community art initiatives that address issues of diversity, inclusiveness, and collaboration that foster healthy and vibrant communities. Shanti's goal is to use the processes of art to help people understand that their individual action can help forge lasting peace.
To learn more about the work of Shanti Foundation go to www.shantifoundationforpeace.com
School Programs
Shanti Foundation uses arts-based educational initiatives to offer students the means to develop conflict resolution skills and social justice strategies, and to use those skills and strategies in designing and creating an original work of art under the guidance of a professional artist. These artists, who have a depth of teaching experience, are trained by Shanti to develop curriculum integrated lesson plans that emphasize nonviolence concepts, while maintaining a high level of artistic excellence. This training helps artists use opportunities that arise during the creative process, to introduce concepts like point of view, abstract thinking and long range goals; all of which are essential to nonviolence decision making. Art forms used include drama, visual arts, filmmaking, playwriting, poetry, dance, puppetry and storytelling.
Community Programs
In the past three years, Shanti has expanded its focus beyond youth based art programs to encompass family and community art initiatives as well. Shanti’s experience with its previous art programs has demonstrated that the process of coming together to create art provides a stimulating, non-threatening, and equalizing forum for dialogue and friendship. Programs are designed to use the creative process to break down barriers of communication, and to provide an opportunity for the groups to challenge themselves both creatively and interpersonally in the creation of a collaborative artwork.
Educational Peace Products
Shanti produces a line of greeting cards, posters and infant wear that combine artist-designed graphics and inspirational quotes from a cross-section of cultures, famous leaders, visionary citizens, and children. The products were designed to spread a message of hope and to motivate individuals to make a commitment to work for peace and social justice. In addition to these products, Shanti’s interactive peace e-cards, allows users of its free web-based e-card service to send messages of peace to anyone anywhere in the world. To send a card go to www.shantifoundationforpeace.com
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