Arts Practices for Inclusion

Building an ecosystem of practitioners towards inclusion with special needs and vulnerable groups.

Arts Practices for Inclusion (API) is a pioneering initiative that utilizes the power of diverse art forms such as Visual Arts, Music, Play, Drama, and Movement to achieve therapeutic outcomes, fostering inclusive learning and enhancing social and emotional wellbeing with special needs and vulnerable groups.

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Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Web presence

2012

Established

20K

Children

3

Countries

Target group

Community

Updated

April 2024

Our innovation aims at significant systemic changes, envisioning an inclusive empowering ecosystem, especially vulnerable groups. We foster inclusion arts practitioners, advocate for holistic development, address disparities, and bridge education gaps. We prioritize inclusive learning environments, advocating for mainstream and special needs integration, promoting equity and empathy in learning.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

India's education system ranks 33rd globally, yet 1 in 7 students is neurodiverse and their needs are unmet. The National Education Policy 2020 aims for inclusive education and API offers a practical solution in fostering inclusive environments through multi-arts methods, promoting holistic development, and bridging educational disparities for all children.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

Arts Practices for Inclusion (API) uses various art forms like Play, Drama, Visual Arts, Music, and Movement to engage children inside and outside the classroom. Grounded in cognitive neurosciences, human development theories, and Indian psychology, the one-year certificate course equips educators with evidence-based, experiential, and theoretical methodologies. Through 486 hours of learning, including direct beneficiary work and supervision, API fosters deep connections between mainstream and special needs populations, promoting inclusion and bridging societal divides. Research supports the efficacy of multi-art experiences in fostering social inclusion and enhancing cognitive development among marginalized children. Internal research by Snehadhara Foundation further confirms the positive impact of arts practices on learners' well-being.

How has it been spreading?

Since 2012, Snehadhara Foundation (SF) in Bangalore has led Arts Practices for Inclusion, aiding 10,500 individuals and training 3,000 professionals in eight countries. SF offers the Arts Practices for Inclusion Course, training 171 practitioners since 2020 across India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Recognized globally, this course was awarded the Global Award by Millennium Alliance. It has reached over 20,000 beneficiaries across these three countries, integrating inclusive learning practices into various organizations. SF plans to train 40 practitioners annually within India and extend its reach to another region in South Asia. Groundwork has also begun for introducing its methodology in Bangladesh.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

Reach out to Snehadhara Foundation as a partner organization. Upon nomination of employees within your organization, we would take them through the one-year training in Arts Practices for Inclusion with the next batch. A Supervisor would be assigned to work with the nominated educator and ensure that the delivery of API sessions is done with quality control.

Implementation steps

Preparatory Phase

In the Preparatory Phase, we lay the groundwork for Arts Practices for Inclusion (API). We create adaptable content and curriculum, train Supervisors, and establish internal processes for the innovation. We also begin partner organization identification for collaboration.

Pre-Intervention Phase

Entering the Pre-Intervention Phase, we prepare for direct engagement with target populations and beneficiaries. We onboard partner organizations, formalize collaborations via MoUs, and nominate API trainees in educators. Administrative coordination and participant application processes ensure smooth implementation. We design API kits and finalize action research designs for effective intervention strategies.

Intervention Phase

Entering the Intervention Phase marks the implementation of API in real-world settings. We conduct comprehensive training sessions on Arts Practices for Inclusion and distribute API kits to equipped practitioners. Concurrently, baseline data is collected to gauge the initial conditions, and API sessions are conducted with target populations, employing a range of multi-art forms to foster inclusivity and engagement.

Impact Assessment Phase

Finally, in the Impact Assessment Phase, we evaluate the effectiveness of our intervention efforts. Practitioners compile API Action project reports, documenting their experiences and the outcomes achieved through the implementation of inclusive arts practices. Participants submit assignments, demonstrating their understanding and application of API principles, leading to certification as API Practitioners. We also ensure sustainability by onboarding anchor organizations.