About Cultural Canvas 

“If a voice can’t be heard, teach it to be seen”- Emily Scott, former Canvas Art Director   

Mission

The mission of Cultural Canvas Thailand is to generate awareness and volunteer support of the current social issues facing Chiang Mai by promoting equality, community interaction, and social change through artistic outreach and volunteer services in conjunction with local organizations. Cultural Canvas Thailand works to promote awareness and inspire change through visual arts, dance, music and drama.

 

Background

Cultural Canvas Thailand (CCT) began as a project of Cultural Canvas Thailand with a focus on art and creativity with tribal groups, Burmese refugees, single mothers in need and members of the gay and transgender communities. Now, nearly two years later, CCT’s success has enabled its expansion and commencement as its own organization. The participant base has grown as well, now expanding to provide artistic opportunities to orphaned children as well as children with disabilities.

 

Philosophy, What’s Art Got To Do With It?

Art has the power to transform minds and change society. It is about more than the creation of beautiful images; art is a part of our social, emotional, and spiritual development. The arts allow everyone, no matter how disadvantaged, a comforting and liberating space in which to navigate the challenges they face. It has been widely proven that art can play a profound role in helping people cope with crisis, and achieve mental and emotional stability.   

 

From Burmese refugees who have been forced to relocate under harsh living and working conditions, to children with cerebral palsy who have been severely neglected throughout their lives, the past stories of our program’s participants are often quite grim. Through Cultural Canvas Thailand, we offer these people a unique artistic voice, the attention and tools to heal, and all in a space in which there are neither taboos nor boundaries. 

 

How You Can Help

The Cultural Canvas Thailand is looking for volunteers from a wide-range of backgrounds and experiences and people who are interested in an opportunity to contribute to social change through the arts. Our volunteers support almost every aspect of our organization, working as grant-writers, office assistants, lesson plan developers, teachers, community artists, and everything in-between. It’s no exaggeration when we say that without volunteers like you, CCT would simply not exist.

Our volunteers help conceive and construct new art projects, build curriculums, write compelling messages to our donors, and work with local organizations to creatively promote their missions. You’ll get covered in paint and meet people from all walks of life, all while sharing your own creative gifts in a supportive and culturally-rich environment.