World Artists Experiences (WAE) is a non-profit organization that builds bridges for international understanding through cultural and citizen diplomacy in communities, colleges, and schools in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and nearby states. Since 2003 WAE has partnered with over 125 countries to present diverse and rich cultures through a variety of experiences.
MAJOR PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES:
Ambassador Series: The Ambassador Series sponsors performances by renowned artists that represent their country and culture. Experiences include music, dance, poetry, visual arts, and other art forms. They are held in numerous communities. Each Community has a WAE Ambassador Team to organize the experience in a giving and receiving relationship in their communities, including welcoming, hosting, and presenting the artists. Ambassador Series events are free to the public.
Cultural Immersion Experiences: Cultural Immersions are day-long experiences designed to give an in-depth understanding of the people and cultures of a country or region of the world. Each day is filled with embassy visits, exhibitions, museum visits, concerts, and food from the country or region. The experiences are educational and are designed for schools, colleges, and organizations.
International Education: WAE coordinates with schools and colleges to provide professional development for educators to help them inspire their students to learn about the world, its cultures and its people.
• Cultural Ambassadors in Schools. WAE provides opportunities and resources to educators for them to promote international understanding and global citizenship among their students.
• Workshops. Workshops are conducted for educators and students to encourage creative writing on international and inter-cultural themes. Professional credits are often awarded.
• Visual Dialogue and Cultural Exchanges. Students in the United States and other countries are encouraged to exchange artwork and open dialogues.
• International Education Month. WAE promotes November as International Education Month with ideas and activities for communities, schools, and colleges. WAE works with Maryland’s Secretary of State to issue the Governor’s proclamation of International Education Month.
Bridges to the World Film Festival: Each February and March WAE screens films from five countries in communities throughout Maryland. The films are provided by the embassies. They are free to the public.
Advising and Consulting: Upon request, WAE advises and consults with organizations, schools, colleges, and others on cultural and citizen diplomacy.
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS: WAE works with embassies in the United States. The embassies arrange for their country’s artists to perform in the United States through their cultural exchange programs. WAE may work directly with Ministries of Culture and Education and with International Organizations.
DATE FOUNDED: WAE was incorporated in the State of Maryland October 1, 2002. The first season was 2003-2004. Seasons run from July 1 to June 30 of the following year.
ORGANIZATION: WAE is an all-volunteer organization. There is no paid staff. The number of volunteers in a year varies from 500 to 3,000 depending on the needed activities. WAE has a core group of over 350 volunteers. WAE is governed by a Board of Directors.
FUNDING AND TAX STATUS: WAE receives donations from individuals, foundations, corporations, and businesses. WAE is an IRS Section 501(c)(3) Public Charity
CONTACT: World Artists Experiences, PO Box 9753, Arnold, MD 21012; phone: 410-647-4481; email:
wae@comcast.net; Webpage: www.WorldArtists.org.
06/2020
World Artists Experiences (WAE) is a non-profit organization that builds bridges for international understanding through cultural and citizen diplomacy in communities, colleges, and schools. In its 12-year history, WAE has partnered with over one hundred fifteen countries around the world to present their diverse and rich culture through numerous experiences.
