INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR AFRICAN CULTURE AND ARTS (ICACA)

International Center for African Culture and Arts (ICACA) is a non-governmental cultural and development organization registered in Nevada, USA. It is committed to the sharing of African culture and arts outside Africa through Research, Education, Promotion, Presentation and Preservation.

About Us

We are also committed to how culture affects development and impacts our people’s lives of the world especially Africans and Black Diaspora in Nevada. We are also committed to contributing to multicultural education as well as global studies for appreciation, understanding and world peace.

OUR MISSION:

I.C.A.C.A as a non-profit organization is dedicated to helping people understand and appreciate the positive traditions and local culture of everyday life-present and past in Africa, Africa Diaspora and throughout the world.

HISTORY

I.C.A.C.A which was originally founded in Ghana, West Africa was founded out of a desire to Research, Document, Preserve and to Promote African Culture and Arts globally from an African perspective in its anthenticity. As Harold Akyeampong, the Chief Vision Officer says “To Tell Our Own Stories, Challenge all the stereotypes about our great continent and to educate the World about Africa”.

Harold, who moved from New York State, to Nevada few years ago is an Ethnomusicologist, Historian, Dance Critic, Choreographer, Musician, Motivational Speaker and a Teacher.

PROGRAMS

Arts in Education, Demonstrations & Workshops

PUBLIC SCHOOLS TEACHING AND PERFORMANCE: ICACA is currently involved in a number of Arts in Education programs in public schools in Nevada through It’s various groups AFRICUSSION PERCUSSION DISCUSSION, IGNITE IMPACT, IGNITE DRUMS, IMPACT AFRIKANA. 2. COMMUNITY CULTURAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS 3. EXPERIENCE THE ARTS PROGRAMS_It is also designing programs in cultural lectures, performances, demonstrations and workshops led by outstanding traditional musicians and fine artists, producing or teaching such arts as percussion, paintings, storytelling, social and religious dances, wood carving, basket weaving, pottery, Tye and Dye making, and Culinary arts. These programs will be held at selected sites and in several locations selected by the Center.

Community Development

Through our collaborations with the African Women Solidarity, a Sister Ngo, we are designing and implementing programs that impact the Refugee community in Las Vegas in the following areas:

Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Achieve universal primary education
Promote gender equality and empower women
Reduce child mortality
Improve maternal and mental health
Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Ensure environmental sustainability

Community History Project

The Ebibiman Community History Project is a program to document the histories of Africa beyond Africa and the Black Diaspora communities in Las Vegas. Looking at how blacks are affecting America especially Nevada in meaningful ways.

Publications & Recordings

Using new research and materials from the archives, ICACA will produce a number of publications and recordings that interpret specific traditional arts and artists for the public.

National and International Collaborations

The Center is affiliated to and has a working relations with a number of International Cultural Organisations and Institutions. Among them are the Percussive Arts Society International, USA; African Traditional Religion and Alternative Healing Inc. North Carolina; Akan Spiritual United Order (A.S.U.O.)Washington DC; OBAATANPA House of Hope Int. NYC; New World Drummers Inc, New Mexico, Afrikuumba African Music and Dance Company, Rochester, NY; JU Percussion Group and Music School, Taiwan and Afridonia, Scotland. We have plans to build more collaborations.