In a bid to provide cultural and intellectual exchange, a new programme “Centre Stage” will bring international performing artists to tour throughout the United States in 2012. For the programme, 10 art troupes selected from Pakistan, Haiti and Indonesia, will get a chance to perform for a month in the US.
“We want to take emerging artists and new talents working on different styles and expose them to the western culture,” said Lisa Booth Management’s Vice President Deirdre Valente at a press conference held here at Serena Hotel on Wednesday. “We had the highest number of nominations from Pakistan, which is why we have chosen Pakistan to be in our pilot program,” she added.
Starting their performances in Washington DC on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Centre, each artist will get a huge platform to perform their work and then diversify into smaller communities. The programme not only wants to expose the American society to works of artists around the globe, but also to bridge culture gaps and help people make connections. The organisers sound hopeful that by making these efforts Pakistan’s global image will be ameliorated and the perception will change throughout the US.
The programme has been launched and funded by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the New England Foundation for the Arts. Additionally, the programme is also supported by the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation and the Asian Cultural Organisations.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2011.
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