Can you imagine learning music production from Gary V himself? Or Jim Paredes as your songwriting mentor? Video production workshops with Quark Henares… lectures on performing arts with Audie Gemora and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo… OMG are any of these even possible?!!
Amazing as it sounds, it is not just possible but for real. A veritable A-List of Filipino creative talent is now faculty of the latest online learning platform for artists young and old, beginner or professional. Artkipelago is a virtual school for the arts, established just as government and the private sector are joining forces to build a robust creative community that can help rebuild the country’s pandemic-battered economy.
Four visionary, enterprising artists – music maven Twinky Lagdameo, live events producer and software developer Jay Adlao Block, music executive Ian Monsod and composer Gina Tabuena-Godinez – are the brains and board behind the school, which offers affordable web-based courses that allow for unlimited learning across all levels.
Any creative soul – from hobbyists wanting to get serious, to seasoned professionals looking to level up their craft – can enroll. With Live Webinars, Workshops and Video-On-Demand (VOD) learning modes to choose from, the school’s course offerings are infinitely adaptable to one’s interests, skill level and schedule. And each completed course comes a certificate to add to one’s credentials.
But perhaps what truly distinguishes Artkipelago from other schools is the opportunity to interact with luminaries who can speak about their art with expertise and depth, and with plenty of practical wisdom and passion thrown in. There will also be opportunity for enrollees to build their own professional network. Every course ends in a culminating activity – a recital, a Q&A forum, a revalida – where enrollees (including VOD students) meet with their mentor and course mates. As with traditional schools, Artkipelago’s alumni are encouraged to collaborate and form their own community of artists and cultural advocates.
Initially, the school has courses in four fields: Music, Film, Gastronomy and Performing Arts. These course offerings will soon be expanded to include other disciplines. Beyond this, the Artkista Scholarship Program aims to provide free course vouchers to promising artists who are short on means.
Truly, what better time than now to become a world-class creative professional? The Creative Economy Council of the Philippines and the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) are teaming up to make our creative economy ASEAN’s best by 2030. This can only augur well for our creative workforce, who have long proven their mettle on so many fronts both here and abroad. With enhanced learning from Artkipelago, you can prepare yourself for a long and lucrative career, while joining the ranks of highly-regarded Filipino creatives.
For more information on Artkipelago’s course offerings, visit www.artkipelago.com.