dARTling Studio

“dARTling - How a project by art students from different disciplines can grow into a committed sequel. How alumni use their entrepreneurship and talents for 'the other'. I would like to support this great initiative, who will participate?” – Karen Neervoort, Dean Fontys Academy of the Arts

Vision

The dARTling foundation believes that self development and creativity should be accessible for everybody, because it improves personal and communal wellbeing.

Mission

After years of realizing art projects and doing research, it became clear to the dARTling foundation that the community of Darling needs a safe creative space where youngsters can come together.

A place where they can express and develop themselves safely through art (dance, music, theatre and/or visual arts). The goal of the project is to realize this place (art studio) in collaboration with local organizations such as The Darling Trust and Darling Outreach Foundation.

Through these collaborations and the involvement and coaching of community role models, the dARTling foundation focuses on sustainability and local ownership. In time, the studio will become a self-steering project in which art education will take place.

Where the money goes

Background

dARTling is an organization build by Fontys Academy of the Arts alumni that participated in 'The Darling Collection' between 2016 and 2019. An artistic participation initiative by Fontys in which art and culture brought together different people from the village of Darling (in South Africa). To follow up on this project, the dARTling foundation was established in 2019.

Working from what is going on in the community and where the needs lie, one of the most important pillars of the foundation, the plan was created to create a safe place for the young residents of Darling. A creative space where young people can discover their talents and develop them. In August of 2023, the dARTling foundaition launched the dARTling Studio. In collaboration with local organizations and key figures within the community.

Young people can get started here with music, theater and dance. The studio is equipped with a music system, instruments and recording equipment. Workshops and master classes will be given in the future, in which young people can discover where their interests and talents lie and then further develop their skills in the studio. It will be a place where new talents can flourish and where creative exchange can take place. A safe place where everyone is welcome.

Instagram: dARTling

What we already have done in the past