Empathy Arts Collective has launched an experimental arts-based educational initiative in Chandpur with the goal of making creative education more accessible to students in rural Bangladesh. The first phase of the initiative was held on 18–19 May at Rupsha Ahammadia High School.
The initiative was founded on the belief that arts and cultural education are not luxuries or forms of entertainment alone, but essential parts of real education and personal development. In many village schools across Bangladesh, students rarely receive opportunities to explore creative subjects such as theatre, music, dance, drawing, filmmaking, storytelling, or performance art. Limited resources, social stigma, gender bias, and lack of exposure often prevent students from discovering their creative potential and expressing themselves freely.
Empathy Arts Collective believes that arts can help young people build confidence, emotional awareness, communication skills, and healthier social connections. The organization also believes that long-term engagement with arts and community activities can help reduce isolation, social violence, and substance abuse among youth.
At the same time, the collective strongly respects individual beliefs and personal boundaries. Participation in any activity is never forced. Students who may not feel comfortable participating in theatre, dance, or music are encouraged to explore other creative spaces such as writing, public speaking, visual arts, critical thinking, or voice articulation workshops.
As part of the experimental program at Rupsha Ahammadia High School, the collective first conducted a formal survey among students through individual two-page questionnaires. The survey focused on understanding students’ opportunities for self-expression, access to cultural activities, emotional environment, and the frequency of school-organized creative programs. While the organization is continuing its research and is not yet releasing detailed findings publicly, the initial observations revealed important gaps in access to arts education and creative learning opportunities.
Alongside the survey, Empathy Arts Collective organized:
- Two theatrical performances
- One art exhibition
- One performance art session
The response from students was highly encouraging. Many students expressed strong interest in learning creative skills and participating in future arts-related activities. According to organizers, students actively engaged with discussions, performances, and exhibitions, creating an atmosphere of curiosity, openness, and shared learning.
The collective believes that when students are given space to express themselves, they begin to search for their own voices and identities beyond the limitations created by social pressure or lack of resources. Since students come from diverse family and social backgrounds, these experiences and conversations naturally continue beyond the classroom and gradually influence wider communities.
Empathy Arts Collective also emphasizes coexistence and inclusive participation. The organization hopes that creative collaboration among students can help challenge gender bias and encourage healthier social relationships within schools and communities.
Most of the facilitators and guides involved in the initiative are students themselves. According to the collective, the movement is not about “successful people” teaching others from above, but about young people dreaming, learning, and building together collectively.
“Dhaka does not represent the whole country,” a representative from Empathy Arts Collective stated. “Even today, many students in rural areas remain disconnected from basic creative opportunities despite wider access to technology and devices. We want students to understand that the world is larger than the limitations they may have grown up with.”
The organization plans to continue its research and activities in different schools and communities across Bangladesh. Empathy Arts Collective will soon announce a public seminar where survey findings, discussions on arts education, youth mental health, cultural accessibility, and future project plans will be presented.
The initiative marks the beginning of what the collective hopes will become a long-term movement for empathetic, accessible, and community-centered arts education in Bangladesh.
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