J1107N Phare, Empowering Youth Through Art Education

The Situation

 Background of Phare Ponleu Selpak Association (PPSA)

Phare Ponleu Selpak – meaning The Brightness of the Arts – is a Cambodian non-profit art school located in Battambang, offering support to children, youth and communities through artistic, educational, social and community outreach and engagement programs since 1994.

The Mission: We are dedicated to providing a nurturing and creative environment, enabling young people to be employable, enterprising, cultural & creative citizens, leaders & role models who positively impact their communities, through access to quality arts training and education with integrated social support and development.

Over 800 students are empowered every year through the schools and programs: performing, visual and applied arts leisure classes, and vocational training aid children and young adults to develop their creativity, communication and concentration skills, and to access a sustainable artistic career whilst preserving and promoting Cambodian arts and culture in line with Phare’s vision of changing lives through the arts.

 Visual and Applied Arts School (VAAS) was established in 2014, is one of PPS’s art schools. It is a first of its kind in Cambodia, providing high-quality, vocational/professional programs from leisure art classes to a 3-year long professional training program in graphic design, visual arts, and animation.

The Objectives

1. 20 students from disadvantaged families will get living scholarship include food, accommodation, and monthly stipend and tuition scholarship for a total of 3 years to study visual and applied art vocational training.
2. Increase employability of Cambodian disadvantaged youths through arts vocational training.

The various classes and levels at the School of Visual and Applied Arts have been designed to tailor to students of all ages and backgrounds, from the smallest children to young adults with professional aspirations.

VAAS is contributing to the shift from the current agricultural economy to a tertiary-based economy of Cambodia’s future. Once students have completed their professional training at VAAS they are equipped to work and build their careers in the fast-growing creative industry. Every school year, PPSA offers scholarship to young talented and motivated students over 17 years of age, to attend the 3-year long professional training at VAAS. We support 20 students every year who are from disadvantaged families living in Battambang or other areas of Cambodia. The scholarship covers the annual per student tuition cost of $2000 and living expenses of $1,200.

• A student’s tuition scholarship is $2,000. The tuition fee goes towards covering teachers’ salaries, classroom supplies and overhead costs of the school.
• A student’s living cost ($120/student x 10 months = $1,200). This includes a monthly food allowance and accommodation:60$ for monthly allowance
• 20$ monthly lunch on campus
• 20$ monthly shared accommodation
• 20$ living supplies (cooking supplies, household supplies, bedding etc.)

Project period: 3 years

Total Budget: USD$ 192,000