| Description |
In honoring the true essence of "building bridges through art," the research process was immersive as I spent three terms in Cape Town, South Africa. The research will read as a self-reflective journal of my experiences as a first-generation college student returning to university after 12 years in an accelerated 16-month graduate program through IPSL Global Engagement, a non-traditional educational program, based in the United States for international- service learning. This study explores three areas: first, the use of art programs in Cape Town Metropolitan, South Africa, amongst individuals aged 18-35 years old to find if there was a correlation of early access to the arts to choosing a creative career pathway. Secondly, investigate real-life stories with existing research concerning the high youth unemployment rates in the city. Lastly, to address the assumption that post-apartheid institutions play a role in arts education accessibility. Building a rich case study of 17 interview participants' stories and lived experiences. One key theme that was identified was, giving back to the community was woven into the thread of the participants' personal and professional goals. The applied project included a pilot program for an app development proposal and concluded with the planning phase of an app development mockup. |
