Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's):
1. Are you educators?
No. We do, however, have several educators on our Advisory Board and on our Board of Directors who are actively engaged in guiding and developing our programs to fit within not only required criteria but also delivering powerful and effective programs that will leave a lasting impact on students.
2. Is this a lot of work? How much time is this going to take?
We have streamlined our activity to be user-friendly and easy to work with. Program run approximately 8 weeks and also fulfill on basic requirements from the Fine Arts core curriculum standards.
3. What does it cost to participate?
The cost for a schools in the U.S. and international schools vary. The cost in the U.S. covers basic art supplies, adminsitration fees, and other mailing materials and costs. If your school can supply your own materials this cost can be cut to compensate for those materials. Costs for international schools varies depending on prices of local materials, please contact us for details on pricing structure as a U.S. or international school/organization.
4. How do you know it will work? Is it successful?
We say the answer to this always lies with the students themselves. Through surveys with both teachers and students it is clear that the program is having an immediate impact in the classroom setting. Based on statistics for school violence programs focused on teaching tolerance, conflict resolution, mediation, anti-bullying, and teambuilding skills have been making a difference in schools that are implementing such programs into their schools and communities.
5. How does the exchange process work?
How the mural exchange works is that once a school completes their mural they keep and can display their mural for three to four months in their school or organization. We begin the process of locating a sister school to exchange with as soon as a school begins their mural program. Once the sister school has been located and established we set up the shipping arrangements to have the sister school mural sent to your school and yours to theirs.
6. Why exchange the murals?
Why we set up the exchange in the first place was to create a dialogue and opportunity for youth to engage in conversations with global neighbors, explore new ideas for conflict resolution and mediation, begin to create a new conversation for peace as a real possibility. During the exchange process there will be opportunities for open discussions, creative writing, and other activities that will begin to cause this cross cultural dialogue.
7. Is this only for art students?
No. Our intention is to get as many different people as possible at each school or organization to participate in one fashion or another. Activities are not only art specific and allow for many ways to participate that don't require someone to have high artistic skills.
8. Can only schools participate?
No. Although we work mostly with schools any youth organization whether it is a religious school, summer camp, boys and girls club, YMCA, club, or organized group can participate. What is necessary is at least one adult must choose to be the leader for the project. What is always required is at least one adult supervisor for the group who is responsible for the group at all times during all activities.
9. How do we raise money to participate?
There are many different ways a school or organization can raise the money to participate in the program. The first and most important factor is the commitment to make the project happen. We have had miracles show up when people are simply commited and clear the project will happen at their school. Whether that comes from students, faculty, or inspired parents there is always a way inside the commitment. There are grants and local clubs that often support activities like this one. See our "Raise Funds" page for more details on getting started.
10. I want this at my school. How do I make that happen? Who do I talk to?
If you are a parent or student and want to bring this project to your school the first step would be to contact us and get an invitation package sent to you with important information and a DVD that you can present at the school or organization you are interested in having participate. There are no right answers for who to talk to. We suggest either discussing the idea with the art teacher or an art advisor. Other people would be the principal or a guidance counselor. Another suggestion is if you have a club at your school have the teacher who runs the club hear about it and work with you to speak with the administration. Rule of thumb be persistent but not pushy. This is a fun and big endeavor for a school to take on and can make a real difference if presented as a positive opportunity for the school community at large. Parents may want to bring up the subject at a PTA or PTO meeting or educational staff meeting. We find the best results come from being open and trusting that if you are commited to it it will happen. We are here to work with you and can do conference calls or if applicable we can meet with schools directly to discuss. If you are still uncertain we can put you in touch with on of our Advisory Board members who have brought the project to their school.
11. Is there a contract with Where Peace Lives that we need to sign?
Every school that chooses to participate with us must sign a Memorandum of Understanding which acts as a legal binding contract or agreement between our organization and yours. It covers items such as costs, materials, return of unused materials, image rights, liabilities, mentor agreements, etc. Once signed we will begin with a school to start the program process.
12. Is our mural protected when it is exchanged?
Although we can not make any 100% guarantee that your mural will not be harmed or damaged during the exchange process we make every effort possible to ensure its safety with secure shipping and written contracts of liability with every school who participates. As international conditions can sometimes be unpredictable in other parts of the world we will do our best to keep a close eye on where and how your mural is displayed and watched after.
13. Do we own the rights to our mural?
In our memorandum you will clearly see that Where Peace Lives retains rights to use any of the imagery, photos, video from the mural process and the images of the mural themselves for marketing, promotional, and fundraising use. We do not own the murals, they are the propoerty of the school or organization that creates them. Each school will be asked to have students/parents sign model releases for anyone participating in the mural program. Where Peace Lives is under no obligation to pay any individual or organization for use of their image or likeness after such releases are signed.
14. What happens after the mural is done and the exchange has happened?
Once the murals are exchanged students will participate in some follow up activities to measure the impact the mural exchange has had on their views of peace and their views of their global neighbors. It is our goal to continue to work with and/or leave each school we work with with follow up activities and exercises that the school can engage in to further integrate and implement this new conversation into the community of students. Contact us for more information on how this might look for your institution.
