Cuba’s Vibrant Art Scene Begins With its Youth
Art in Cuba can be found everywhere. The streets are radiant landscapes of cheerful sun-bleached buildings, colorful antique cars, and intimate cafes. Untouched by elitism, the status of the arts in Cuba is what we can only dream of in the United States: publicly well funded, thriving, and central to the lives of all citizens.
So, how did this artistic utopia come to be? For starters, Cuba’s art scene is heavily focused on its youth, which instills a deep appreciation for the arts at a very young age. Around three years old, Cubans are introduced to dance, music, and art. Every municipality also has a Cultural House (or Casa de Cultura), which acts as a community space where children and youth can come to receive music, dance, and art lessons for free.
However, the amazing public support does not end there. At the university level, Cubans have access to the highest quality training in every art form as part of a free, comprehensive education system. Three organizations in particular have transformed the lives of Cuban youth and their community through art. Their continual presence in the public sphere helps ensure that the arts continue to reign in Cuba.
fanciful celebrations of Cuban life.” The project’s vision is to unite fragmented Cuban communities via storytelling murals, which in turn creates community cohesion and a shared area to appreciate one another’s perspectives.
Cuba’s art scene is heavily focused on its youth, which instills a deep appreciation for the arts at a very young age
It’s safe to say the world would benefit from a Cuban lesson in art and ideology. If you know of any community driven art programs in Cuba, please share about them in the comments below!
FROM THE EDITOR
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