Creative Relief for Refugee Residents
For many fleeing unsafe and unstable countries, home has become one of the cruise ships docked in Rotterdam’s harbors. While it may sound idyllic, the reality is challenging: shared facilities, no personal cooking space, mandatory weekly check-ins, and constant uncertainty about relocation.
Art is Home, in collaboration with Stichting Mano, brought creative workshops to residents of these boats, providing brief moments of comfort, personal expression, and community connection. While these workshops cannot solve larger systemic challenges, they offer relief, joy, and empowerment through art.
Activities on Board
Children’s Workshops
Both indoor and outdoor sessions use the surrounding environment creatively. Activities include:
- T-shirt stenciling
- Zine making
- Designing dream playgrounds
- Sticker making
- Messy play for babies and toddlers
- Working with clay
And many many more!
These workshops encourage playful exploration, self-expression, and hands-on learning for children living on the boats.
Adult Workshops
Adults participate in:
- Creative workshops
- Public events
- Gallery tours
These sessions provide opportunities for deeper creative engagement and personal reflection.
Refugee Trainees – Train-the-Trainer Program
A key aspect of the program is empowering residents themselves. Volunteers begin by observing workshops and, over several weeks, progress to leading their own sessions, creating a sustainable model for ongoing artistic engagement.
Onboard Craft Cupboard
We provided a dedicated craft cupboard, stocked with basic art supplies. The cupboard is replenished after each session, enabling residents and Stichting Mano to continue creative activities independently.
Summary: Creativity, Connection, and Community
The Home Aboard program offers a safe and imaginative space for residents of refugee boats. Through workshops for children and adults, it provides moments of joy, self-expression, and connection.
Empowering residents through the train-the-trainer initiative and providing accessible art resources ensures that creative opportunities continue beyond our visits. Though we cannot address all challenges faced by refugees, these workshops create meaningful relief, personal empowerment, and a sense of homeliness in a transient and uncertain environment.
Join Our Creative Initiatives
Art is Home continues to bring creativity and connection to diverse communities in Rotterdam. Through workshops, participatory art projects, and collaborative programs, we provide spaces where individual expression and community engagement flourish.
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