WorldView 2012

Every thinking mind needs a world view. This half-day seminar builds on the cross-cultural understandings, perspectives, and influences of many contemporary artists. Each year the program offers school groups an arts experience focused on a specific cross-cultural context. Featured works typically reflect cultural, political, social, and economic influences.

This year's WorldView explores the culture of the fashion industry as a global marketplace fueled by creative ideas, resources, and drive. Students and teachers will see Dressed, a documentary film by director David John Swajeski about Nary Manivong, a native of Columbus, Ohio, who moves to New York with $200 dollars in his pocket and a dream to make it in the fashion industry. Manivong, whose parents are originally from Laos, was abandoned at age 14. At the time, he attended Walnut Ridge High School, a Columbus City School, and was homeless, living on the street, and dangerously close to dropping out of school. The film chronicles the dramatic changes in his life as dreams and reality collide and he finds that, with a ton of drive and a little bit of luck, almost anything can happen.

The WorldView program includes teaching and learning resources, the film screening, a guest speaker, an in-depth peer discussion, with lunch also provided. Please inquire about opportunities for in-class follow-up visits to extend this learning experience. Bus subsidies are available.

Program engages academic standards in: Arts, Geography, Social Studies, Humanities, and Media Literacy.