Training Workshop on Online Presence for Artists At the GoDown Arts.

On 29th June 2021 I got a chance to reconnect with my fellow artists in the creative sector after a long time due to the pandemic situation. Currently there's an ongoing training workshop for selected artists at the GoDown Arts Centre organized by Eric Manya dubbed RIKA RESIDENCY: PAPER & INTERNET FUN. 

Some of the areas to be covered; Paper Making, Websites, Smoke painting, Non-fungible token (NFT), Collage and Content creation- social media (Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok etc) & intellectual property among others.

I had the honor to be invited as a facilitator and I did a presentation on online presence for artists. 

Session Objectives:- 

1. Explain why artists need a website (Online presence). 

2. Explain what goes behind creating a website. 

5 Reasons Why Artists Need a Website. 

1.  An opportunity to showcase your work (Online studio). 
2. Keep your community engaged (updates, educate, entertained etc.) 
3. Sell your artwork 
4. To be easily found 
5. Global Brand Identity 

 What You Need To Know.

- Great website is based on a process – WHY, WHAT, WHEN, WHO & HOW 

 What You Need To Know 

- There are different technologies, tools, software and skills required to design / develop a website. 

- Depending with what you need the website to do, you will need the services of an expert (developer, designer etc.) 

-  Website cost time and money. 

- Content is KING and will need periodic updates. 

- A website is just one platform, you will need to create other online platforms and link it with your website as the HUB. 

 Question “As an artist can I create a website with zero budget and zero skills? Answer is… YES. Start a blog for FREE! Wordpress.com or Blogger.com Note: there are many others but I recommend Wordpress or Blogger.

Examples; Programme / Community organization www.wilseninitiative.wordpress.com and Personal Blog www.wilsenx.blogspot.com

What is blog?

 A blog is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual or a team with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. 

Pictorials during the session

YOUTH ADVOCATE / FACILITATOR / SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR / WEB DESIGNER +throughMylens: Consult / Create / Connect ~ Inspiring Life Long Learning! Specializing in training and mentorship

Facebook: Wilson Masaka Instagram: Wilsenx Twitter: @masaka_wilson 

13 Things Towards Learning and Youth Engagement That We Must Do.

#ParadigmShift #TheNewNormal #DisruptingTheNormal #21stCenturySkill #FutureOfWork #YouthLife #LearningToLearn #UNSDG4QualityEducationLifeLongLearning #UNSDG8DecentWorkEconomicGrowth 

Today I want to share with you part of my journey working with youths in different spaces that has changed my paradigm towards learning and engaging the youth. 

These are important areas we must put keen attention in any program that target the youth and children who are as we say ay the leaders of tomorrow (but we can start today). These areas touches on many aspects for social, economic, political, technological and many other pillars that will nurture the youth in different sphere of life that would promote better livelihood. 

I have trained and mentored the youth for more than 18 years, especially in the education space, creative economy, community service and sports and below are the new shift I would highly recommend;

1. Followers into Leaders. 
2. Material gain into Sustainable Values. 
3. Consumers into More Creators 
4. Learners into Teachers. 
5. Job Seeking into Job Creators. 
6. Competition into Collaboration. 
7. Motivation into Activation. 
8. Learn to finish school into Lifelong Learners.
9. Random discussion into Meaningful Engagement.
10. Future Leaders into Leadership that Starts Now (LSN). 
11. Role Models into Mentors.
12. Problem creators into Problem Solvers.
13. Thinkers into Critical & Creative Thinkers (CCT) #MasterClass 

Get in touch with me for master class with your youth groups. More about me www.wilsenx.blogspot.com

Next Generation Stars In Mathare North

Without any doubt talent and interest to play soccer ⚽ amongst children from underserved communities is there. One of the biggest challenge is lack of resources to support every child play in a more organized way that will boost their interest to play soccer to the next levels as a career and hopefully play professionally. 

 General highlight of the gaps; 

1.  Lack of safe playing grounds. 
2. Growing number of kids who want to play soccer but no space to accommodate all.
3. Lack of professional coaches at the grassroots levels. 
4. Lack of sustainable model to provide material and equipment support, for example soccer shoes, balls, bibs etc. 
5. Lack of follow up and support from guardians and parents. 
6. Lack of enough prospects for exposure beyond the community. 
7. Lack of transportation facilitation cost to attend beyond the neighborhood through soccer exchange programs. 
8. Lack of deliberate mentorship and positive role modelling programs And many more! 

 At Wilsen Initiative (Wi) we decided to take a more deliberate effort to support the children in their growth in soccer by providing the best experiences even if we lack the adequate resources and support.

 Our Aim 

We seek to convert these hobbies and passion into more interest of building a career in soccer while teaching the children other vital life skills (off and on the pitch) that will ensure a decent livelihood during and after soccer life. We run an ongoing campaign to mobilize soccer ⚽ resources to support teams in Mathare North U10-U15 for the year 2000. 

 We take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported our soccer resource mobilization campaign for teams in Mathare North. 

 Related links; 

•  http://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2020/12/annual-resource-mobilization-for.html?m=1
• https://wilseninitiative.wordpress.com/2021/06/02/next-generation-coach-ngc/