Yaffa Cultural Arts Inc.
History
Yaffa Cultural Arts, Inc. was founded in 1993 by Linda H. Humes. Ms. Humes is a Storyteller/Griot, an actress, an educator, and a producer with a Masters of Arts Administration Degree from New York University.
Since 1933, Yaffa Cultural Arts, Inc, has provided a wide range of programs to schools, universities, social services organizations, community based organizations and cultural institutions. In 1993, Yaffa Cultural Arts, Inc.’s presentations of Dr. Maisha Baton’s "Mitore" was nominated for two Audelco Awards, one for best new production and the other for Jane Galvin-Lewis performance in the best supporting actress category. The production received critical acclaim and in April 1996 was chosen to be the first production in the newly renovated Haiti Cultural Center’s theater, in Durham, North Carolina. The production was a National Performance Network project which included community performance, lecture and workshops.
Yaffa Cultural Arts, Inc. also provides workshops, parent workshops, lecture demonstrations, staff development workshops and performances to schools. The organization is involved in many arts in education initiatives including Projects Arts, Project Read and A.J.D.P. Programs.
Is it her belief that the arts should be an integral part of every human being’s life, that societal change must start with the education and empowerment of the children, their families and the community at large. As the founder and the artistic director of Yaffa Cultural Arts, Inc. Ms. Humes establishes the philosophy of the organization to foster cultural identification, multicultural appreciation, esteem building, and literacy through arts programming.
Goal: To continue accomplishing this mission, Yaffa Cultural Arts, Inc. has created musical and theatrical performance, workshops and lectures demonstrations geared for all ages including early childhood. Yaffa Cultural Arts, Inc. also work personally with a variety of accomplished artists, educators and performers to fill the needs of the educational facilities and communities that it serves.
The Primary focus of the organization is to:
1. Create the highest quality artistic programs and productions with equally positive, empowering and inspirational subject matter.
2. To make these programs and productions accessible to children, adults and seniors through lecture demonstrations, performances and workshops in an effort to promote good will, cultural literacy and appreciation for the diversity that makes up the world.
The Secondary focus of the organization is to:
Social Service /Community Based Organizations Collaborations –Yaffa Cultural Arts, Inc. also provides long term and short term programs to these organizations in an effort to empower the communities that these organization serve. Yaffa Cultural Arts, Inc. has provided an array of performances, workshops and artists to New York City Housing Authority centers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx and Queens.
These programs varied form teen video Workshops, (The Real Deal –a video on teen pregnancy created by teenagers form various Manhattan Centers), Latin dance programs, African dance programs, storytelling shows, music programs, visual arts, percussion, creative dramatic, creative writing , clowns, face painting and theme shows such as holiday show, African-American Heritage and Women’s Programs.
Many of these sites such as El Faro Beacon in East Harlem, Promesa in the South Bronx, and the many Rheed Tan Centers in Manhattan serve children adults and seniors.
Collaborations- Through strong partnership and collaborations Yaffa Cultural Arts, Inc. presents programs across the United States at colleges and cultural institutions.
The Organization has two annual programs.
The Children Holiday Festival An annual event of entertainment, hands on activities, information booths and vendors in celebration of the holiday season. Children and families from many city agencies are invited as well as the general public.
Roots and Cultural Art Exposure Series- In 1997, Yaffa Cultural Arts, Inc. The New York City Housing Authority, and The New York City Parks Department partnered to create an annual cultural event in the summers in Amphi-Theater at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem. This six to eight week performance series on Friday mornings in the summer have a drug prevention theme and encourage self esteem, cultural awareness and appreciation. Children from the New York City Housing Authority day camps, summer schools and the general public attend the event. Pre and post workshops are booked in various sites to supplement.