The 2014-2015 Mas Academy Outreach Programme was launched by the National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA) on September 18 at the Marriott Hotel, Invader's Bay. The programme, which has Republic Bank as its lead sponsor, was developed six years ago after the NCBA noticed a decrease in the number of school bands participating in the National Junior Parade of the Bands.
"We then used our foresight to determine that this situation could eventually lead to an unwanted void in the carnival participation levels of our schoolchildren. This is how the academy was formed," said Stewart.
The programme, he said, aims at promoting and fostering the art of mas-making in all primary and secondary schools, in an effort to educate a population that will preserve the dying art forms of wire bending, papier-m�ch� and decorating.It has also been developed to develop a cadre of skilled specialists who will positively contribute to the growing export of the T&T-styled Carnival worldwide.
So far, several schools have participated in the programme including Success Laventille Composite, Arima Boys RC, Carapichaima RC, Mon Repos RC, Scarborough RC and Bishop's High School Tobago.
In 2013, some of the designs by schools in the programme were seen in the Junior Carnival Parade.Republic Bank's general manager, group marketing and communications, Michelle Palmer-Keizer, said the bank was proud to be involved in such a programme as the launch marked another historic move toward safeguarding the nation's culture.She said the bank's willingness to be a part of the programme stemmed from its commitment to preserve T&T's culture. The bank also wanted to support a venture that aims to empower the nation's youth."I am glad the academy has undertaken this project. They have made a commitment to cementing the foundations of one of the most amazing aspects of our nation's cultural history through its surest source–its future–which is this nation's young people.
"By not only helping them to understand the history of mas creation but also in teaching them how to create these beautiful costumes, we are giving them an outlet for artistic expression, creating ambassadors for our nation and in broadening their minds, we are preserving our origins," said Palmer-Keizer.NCBA president David Lopez thanked Republic Bank for supporting the organisation's developmental programmes. He said the NCBA had found it difficult to finance these developmental programmes and called on corporate T&T for support.