Sankofa Kuumba - Cultural Arts Consortium, Hartford CT: History

P.O. Box 1255, Hartford CT 06143-1255 • phone: (860) 635-0725 • info@sankofakuumba.org

MISSION & HISTORY

Sankofa Kuumba Cultural Arts Consortium is dedicated to learning, preserving and teaching the richness and astonishing beauty of African culture through dance, music, and storytelling and the visual arts. Its mission is to uplift children and youth of color in the Greater Hartford area by teaching them their history and setting positive goals for their future. We believe that by bringing children back to the source, we help them to develop a sense of pride in themselves and in their heritage; immersed in creative activities, they have no place for negativity in their lives. We are also dedicated to teaching children of all backgrounds a better understanding and appreciation of African history and culture with its many contributions to American life and arts.

Sankofa Kuumba was founded in 1986 by Christine Dixon Smith, aka Nandi, following a trip to West Africa. Nandi studied African dance at the National Ballet de Senegal in Africa ane also danced with the Maimound Keita West African Dance Company in NYC before she returned home to teach in the Hartford area. Starting at the Bellevue Square Project Community Center, Nandi and a handful of other artists went on to establish programs at local churches and, finally, public schools. In 1993, Sankofa formed a partnership with OPUS, Inc., a non-profit agency working with the elderly, and in 1998 an ongoing educational partnership was established with the Kelvin D. Anderson Center. From two dancers, Sankofa has grown to include up to 30 dancers, drummers, visual artists and storytellers in its educational programs and performances.

Recent projects and productions include ÒSowing SeedsÓ (1997 Oddfellows Playhouse, Middletown), ÒFlying HomeÓ (ten performances, 1998-2000 including the Austin Arts Center, Trinity College) and the ongoing educational project called ÒThe Journey: Amistad (including student performances at the official launch ceremonies in New Haven, Middletown and Hartford).

In September 2000, Sankofa was incorporated as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit arts and cultural organization. Fiscally stable, last year, SankofaÕs earned income approached $50,000, with an annual operating budget of nearly $90,000.

ARTIST BIOS

The following artists are currently participating in SKs educational programs and performances:

¥ Christine Dixon-Smith, Artistic Director & Project Coordinator: Master Teaching Artist for CCA; has taught Arts in Education programs at Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, Naylor and Mark Twain Elementary Schools, Weaver High School, CREC Polaris special education school, A.I. Prince RVT School and many other schools/universities both public and private. Her model program has been noted in ÒPart of the Solution: Creative Alternatives for Youth - 1995,Ó published by the National Assembly of States Arts Agencies in cooperation with NEA and the Justice Department. She is presently the project coordinator for HOTS (Higher Order Thinking) and AIE (Arts in Education) program at Noah Webster and Mark Twain elementary schools. She has received a 2000 State of Connecticut Award of Excellence, the Hartford Heroes ÒBreath of Fresh AirÓ Award from CREN (Citizens Research Education Network), a 1998 GovernorÕs Award for Distinguished Advocate for the Arts and a 1995 PresidentÕs Humanitarian Award for Model programs for At-Risk Youth.
contact: nandi@sankofakuumba.org

Photo by: Thomas Giroir Photography

¥ Edjohnetta Miller: internationally known quilter, designer and weaver, a master teaching artist for CCA, and Wadsworth Athenaeum Board member. Ms. Miller is also director of the new Hartford Artisan Center, located on Holcomb Street in Hartford, CT.
contact: 20 Plainfield Street, Hartford, CT 06112, 860-727-8552, Fax: 860-243-5969, Email: Edquilt@aol.com

¥ Gloria Brooks: internationally known collagist, illustrator, sculptor, and psychotherapist. Has appeared in Sculpture Magazine, and has been published by the International Sculpture Center in Washington, DC. Her illustrations include a cover for ÒKnowing.Ó

¥ Ephraim Silva: Dance/Drum Instructor, a CCA master teaching artist.

¥ Holly Anyango Smith: Dancer, Choreographer, and Arts Educator holds a MasterÕs degree in Arts Education and black Studies. She has work experience in African traditional dance settings, as well as American dance settings.

¥ Graciela Quionones-Rodriquez: Spanish bi-lingualist, psychotherapist, and master teacher for the CCA, she is a member of HartfordÕs ICCD (Inner City Cultural Development) program. She recently won a visual artist fellowship from the CCA. She disseminates knowledge of Puerto Rican culture and tradition to students of all backgrounds using crafts and popular music.

¥ Abdoulyae Sylla: past principal dancer and percussionist from the internationally renowned Nation Ballet of Guinea. He has worked with Sankofa Kuumba on numerous school residencies in the greater Hartford area.

¥ Hugh Blumenfeld: Singer-songwriter, Connecticut State Troubadour 1999-2000, Master Teaching Artist. Has toured U.S., Europe & Israel and performed at The Kennedy Center's Millenium Stage. Five internationally distributed CDs.

Sankofa Kuumba Cultural Arts Consortium, Inc.
Artistic and Executive Director: Christine Dixon-Smith