VAST

Posted On: September 27th, 2018

Voluntary Artists Studio, Thimphu popularly known as VAST was set up in 1998 by a group of professional artists as a not-for-profit organization with the primary aim to provide opportunities to the Bhutanese youth to participate and develop their potential artistic talents, especially in contemporary art, develop a sense of social responsibilities through community services and also to explore art as a vocation. VAST aims to help by:

• Providing art classes to the interested youth.
• Organizing art camps for youth to appreciate art and learn values.
• Initiating programs related to community services to learn the art of giving.
• Facilitating the participation of young artists in national and international art exchange programs, festivals, and exhibitions.
• Providing a place for youths with personal problems to use art as a therapy and help them develop life skills to face challenges.

Their project will address youth in Thimphu, Trashi Yangtse, and Dagana by:

• Training 100 students in contemporary art
• Conducting two youth art exchange camps
• Holding two national art exhibitions
• And producing a documentary film on contemporary art in Bhutan and its effects on the youth.

During the initial quarter of implementation, the project identified 62 children from financially challenged backgrounds to undergo weekend art classes. Collaboration with the Thimphu Thromde has been sought.  2 youths are mentoring the students during the classes and have already observed tremendous interest and behavioral changes in the students