Juilliard Artists in Botswana

Education takes place in classrooms—but also outside of them. Under the presidency of Joseph W. Polisi, Juilliard launched a grant program for students who create educational experiences for children around the world. The first group of grantees, back in 1991, included actor Viola Davis and dancer Kris World (Cultural Arts Safaris in Gambia), pianist Derek Mithaug and singer Bonghai Tembe (tour for leukemia patients), actor Christopher McKinney (Negro Ensemble Company), and violist Alanna Wheatley (music workshops in Oakland).

These grants have been given out every year since then and are now known as George J. Jakab Global Enrichment Grants. Last summer, graduating dancer Austin Reynolds wrote, “Juilliard’s grant opportunities make it possible to bring my ideas to fruition. During my four years, I used these resources to study in Europe, to create a dance film, to create a networking platform for artists, and most proudly, to create an ongoing service project in Gaborone, Botswana called Creative Borders," he said, noting that he'd been inspired in part by reading about earlier Juilliard grant projects in the same area. Reflecting on his experiences, he said "it’s vital for artists to have the opportunity to see firsthand the importance of their years of dedication and study. We refine, we practice, and repeat, all so that we can communicate through the universal language of the arts as citizens.” 

Shortly after Reynolds wrote these words, he graduated and took a job with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, and he's also working on turning Creative Borders into a nonprofit. This month, four graduating and continuing Juilliard students will fly to Africa to take part in the project. You'll read more about their adventures this fall, but in the meantime, just-graduated dancer Amanda Bouza, the Creative Borders project leader, gave us a sneak peek at what they’re planning. “During the week we teach children with disabilities, adolescents from Maru-a-Pula School, and adults from neighboring cities. On weekends we lend a helping hand to children living with HIV/AIDS, all in the name of fostering community through artistic collaboration.”