Alarko Holding And İKSV Connect Children and Young People With The Arts Through The "First Step To Art" Project

FROM ANIMATION TO DANCE, TAKING ART-FILLED STEPS THROUGH THE CITY
 
The activities under Alarko Holding’s "First Step to Art" project, designed to engage children and young people with art from an early age, are continuing at full speed.

Alarko Holding views cultural and artistic development as a fundamental pillar of an inclusive and sustainable future. In line with this vision, the "First Step to Art" project, carried out in collaboration with Alarko Holding and the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), aims to introduce children and young people to art from an early age through workshops held alongside İKSV festivals.

 As part of the 44th Istanbul Film Festival, the Stop-Motion Animation Workshop held between April and June brought together 52 participants aged 14 to 19, who designed original characters and created their own animations. Participants also explored animation production using AI-powered tools and had the opportunity to delve into various aspects of animation, including editing, sound design, and storytelling. The films produced during the workshops were screened at the online closing event on June 30, with Istanbul Film Festival Director Kerem Ayan, workshop leader and director Gökalp Gönen, Anima Istanbul founder Mehmet Kurtuluş, and Cannes Best Actress winner Merve Dizdar in attendance. 

The second phase of the "First Step to Art" project featured a series of workshops titled "A Musical Weekend." As part of the 53rd Istanbul Music Festival, 73 children aged 7 to 12 discovered the joy of expressing their creativity through music and movement in hip-hop dance workshops led by instructors Esma Akın and Aydan Uysal. The workshops were held in June at three different venues on both the European and Anatolian sides of Istanbul. 

In the next leg of the "First Step to Art" project, Jazz in Colours Workshops were held on July 10 and 12 as part of the 32nd Istanbul Jazz Festival, bringing together 120 participants aged 6 to 12 Participants discovered their sense of rhythm and created their own beats with musician Ezgi Daloğlu. Under the guidance of art instructor Uğur Kaya, they also explored portrait art by transforming musical instruments into portraits and producing creative works. Accompanied by jazz musician Meltem Ege, children explored the vibrant rhythms of Latin jazz through percussion instruments. They also gained a basic understanding of music genres like bossa nova and samba.

Up Next: Drama Workshops

The workshop series that helps children explore themselves through art, express their emotions freely, and nurture their creativity will next feature drama workshops. The workshops, set to take place during the mid-term break in November as part of the 29th Istanbul Theater Festival, are tailored for children aged 4 to 6 and 7 to 9. Inspired by Sevinç Erbulak’s book A Day at the Theater, the workshops will enrich children’s imaginations through creative activities and behind-the-scenes experiences. Aimed at enhancing expression skills, these workshops promise young participants an unforgettable journey into the enchanting world of performing arts.

Alarko’s Visionary Commitment to Broadening Cultural and Artistic Engagement

As part of Alarko Holding's sustainability vision, the "First Step to Art" project emphasizes the importance of fostering not just economic, but also social and cultural development. The "First Step to Art" activities, which also include the children of Alarko employees, create a shared experience space within the Group. Alarko is committed to expanding access to the arts, enhancing equality of opportunity, and supporting initiatives that unlock the creative potential of children in particular.