School of Integrated Arts
The Municipal School of Integrated Arts ( EMAI) is a recent cultural initiative sponsored by the Town Council of a small community just 30 kilometers from San Jose (the capital). It promotes social transformation through art. It is an independent association.  The school is recognized by the Ministry of Education. So students will obtain a title and they can work as qualified teachers.
Objectives of the School are:
- To offer young people interested in arts an alternative program to get qualifications to work as art teachers.
- To offer different programs of studies in different fields of art providing relevant qualifications
- To enable all sectors of society, of all ages, to participate in wide-ranging cultural activities.
History
The school was created in 1998 by through an initiative carried out by Director Jorge Luis Acevedo Vargas. He is well known for his earlier projects in different parts of the country. He was head of the Music Department and Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Costa Rica . He followed postgraduate studies on concerts at Paris Music School , Gregorian chants and chorus direction at the Sorbone University , Paris
The full support given by the Municipality of Santa Ana allowed him help to start running the project.
In sum, the mission is to promote an extensive cultural activity such as exhibition, concerts, plays, lectures, festivals etc. which will promote integral and collective development of the community.
The School for Integrated Arts aims to develop the social-cultural potentiality of the community and of the other nearby communities. Also to give all kinds of artistic opportunities to children and young adults that come from deprived families. The general concept is one learning by doing .
Facilities
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American volunteer teaching local girls basic skills |
The EMAI School functions in the public library and some rooms of the Town council. They already have the plans approved for the construction of a three story building. Rehearsals take place in the church.
Impact of the Programs in the local community
The program has 800 students that come from all kinds of backgrounds and communities not only from Santa Ana but from San Jose , Colon . Escazu, Alajuela and Aserri.
It has organized the following activities:
- 2000 Festival of Baroque Music
- 2003 Open air Festival Light of the Summer Moon-Jazz, theater, popular music, pantomime. All festivals are open to public at no cost.
- 2004 Participation of art students in contests such World School Children Art Exhibitions in Republic of China
- The Ecuador Embassy awarded a Mention to both orchestra conductors for a concert given by EMAI orchestra
- 2005 Concert given by EMAI Simphony Orchestra
- V International Festival of Baroque Music
- Misa Flamenca conducted by the EMAI orchestra , chorus and dance students.
- III Open air Festival Light of the Summer Moon-masquerades, dance, theater, popular music, marimba (typical xylophone ) and concer
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