As the head director of Tomie Ohteke Institute’s “Ação Educativa” (Educational Action) Project, my greatest goal has been to improve the teaching of Art by working continuously on those teachers training and formation. Several actions focusing on that target have been taking place since 2002, when this project began. An important one among those is the “Cultural Experiences for Educators” Project 2003 and 2004, which assisted more than six thousand primary and elementary school Art teachers of public schools in São Paulo. In Tomie Ohtake Institute, I also introduced the Permanent Teachers Formation Branch, which developed the “Chamex” Project in 2003 and 2004, and the IMPAES Program (since 2005).

In those projects, we pursue a wider and more diverse approach regarding Art, instead of focusing only on the school. In addition to all activities mentioned above, Tomie Ohtake’s “Ação Educativa” also offers guidance and especial ateliers to all visitors. After attending the exhibitions inside the Institute, visitors are taken to ateliers where they carry out activities and exercises to help them think of what they have just seen.

Moreover, “Ação Educativa” includes the “Creativity: Thought and Action” Project, elaborated with Carlos Chagas Foundation. This project concentrates on the study of new methods that help bringing near both High School community (teachers and students) and contemporary art production, by providing a close contact with artists and their works.

The main target of Tomie Ohtake’s “Ação Educativa” is to approximate people - from laics to experts – to the universe of contemporary art. This approach must be effective, therefore meaningful, allowing all Institute’s visitors to develop their perception and increase their knowledge.  

For further information about Tomie Ohtake Institute’s “Ação Educativa”, please visit our website at www.institutotomieohtake.org.br