Turn Around Projects of the Arts (TAP) is a not-for-profit organization with the mission to create and maintain integrated arts projects which foster reciprocal exchange in order to impact and strengthen communities. At the root of TAP’s conviction is the firm belief that the arts are essential to human development and provide unique opportunities to engage, question and confront issues and relationships in our world. To date, TAP has executed seven successful programs in four countries (Jamaica, Japan, India, Canada) with over 600 participants from around the world.
Our History
In September 2006, educator and internationally-renowned dub poet, Michael St. George was hired at Brock University (St. Catharines, Canada), to teach a Drama in Education and Society class called “Alternative Forms of Theatre”.
What became Turn Around Projects of the Arts, or commonly known as TAP, grew out of the students’ desire to work with Jamaican youth, after learning of the strong performative culture and the lack of opportunity to pursue their innate talents that existed in the country. The goal was to foster positive attitudes, generate change, and bring awareness of alternative ways of thinking…through the arts.
The Pilot Project was held in July 2007. Sixteen Drama in Education students and two Film students created an integrated arts program for over one hundred Jamaican participants running workshops in Theatre, Music, Creative Writing, Visual Art and Dance.
In May 2008, the second TAP Pilot Project was held in Japan. Ten Brock students experienced the Japanese culture by home staying with the families of the participants. Students worked with youth participants ranging in age from 4 – 18, from various locations across Japan.
Melissa, TAP Japan volunteer, helping a participant to make a dream catcher
In December of 2008, TAP became a not-for profit organization.
Since 2008, TAP has returned to Jamaica three times, introduced a Facilitator-in-Training Program, a Scholarship Fund, started a project in Canada as well as India, and much more! To find out what TAP is up to now, please visit our website at www.turnaroundproject.ca.
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