About Cuentos and What We Do

WHAT WE DO:
Cross-Cultural Projects, Performances, Events

• International Youth Exchange Program
• Community Organized Art & Culture Celebrations
• Heritage Traditional Dance Series
• La Seguridad / Survivors of Domestic Violence Collective art project
• Public Art: Murals, Performances
• Pen-pal relationships
• Youth Video
• Video Documentary
• International Exhibitions
• Artist workshops / residencies
• Teacher training programs
• Publications
• International summer intern program

Artistic Director, Michele Feder-Nadoff, who is Jewish, founded Cuentos in 1998 with the humanist vision and commitment to tikkun haolam, a Jewish principal expressing each person’s responsibility to play a part in "healing the world." Cuentos members believe art is a transformative catalyst for effecting positive social change. Our work combats prejudice and discrimination through artistic and educational intergenerational projects and programs promoting mutual understanding.

The abundance of cultural wealth living doorstep to doorstep in our neighborhoods provide all of us an opportunity to engage with and learn about each others' backgrounds. What connects us and how can live in peace together, connected by mutual understanding and appreciation of different cultures from around the globe?

Our founding long-term project, Ritmo del Fuego/ Rhythm of Fire has been devoted to the traditional coppersmithing community of Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacan, Mexico. Designed as a model for future Cuentos in-depth projects, Ritmo del Fuego includes an exhibition, 597 page book in English and Spanish, video, visiting artisan in residencies, conferences, and other community programming.

Cuentos also organizes a variety of shorter-term artistic community organized programs focusing upon, identity, cultural heritage, and mutual understanding.

Inter-generational participants include youth, families, and adults of all ages in a range of settings.