The strategic objective of ICES is to create and run programs, projects and services with a broad network of Mongolian and international arts and cultural organizations and individuals; to establish financial self sufficiency and independence with the overall goal of supporting the sustainable development of Mongolian arts and culture; and to promote Mongolian culture around the world and introduce world culture to Mongolia.

ICES is focused on assisting capacity building in the field of arts management; ensuring funds for its activities from local and international funding sources; expanding networking activities with regional and international partners; and contributing to the further development of an open and democratic society.

ICES is also committed to increasing local and international awareness, support and demand for Mongolian arts and culture by implementing its programs and by building cultural relationships and exchanges with the rest of the world.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

ICES is working to establish new long term funding sources and to make self sufficiency and financial independence within the next three years. The following projects, programs and services that ICES is planning for 2003 - 2005 reflect the need to generate ongoing operating revenue to fulfill our mission.

ICES is seeking funders and partners for these programs and projects. We are welcoming you to contact us for further information?

International marketing & promotion of Mongolian art

1. "Nomadic Ger Village" - This project recreates the camp of the Great Khan at the time of the first Mongol empire and affords visitors exposure to the fire and beauty of Mongolian history, tradition, religion, art, sport, medicine, fashion, and design. The camp features performances by Mongolian performing artists skilled in shaman and traditional dance, long song, throat singing, ethnic story telling, and contortion and features a show of traditional and contemporary Mongolian fashion and beauty.

The program also includes traditional sports: horse riding, traditional wrestling, and archery. The Nomadic Ger Village will be totally portable, easy to set up (2 days), and moved. The camp is capable of traveling throughout the US and globally, with key venues to include Central Park (New York City) and Golden Gate Park (San Francisco).

2. "Nomadic Melodies" - is a joint concert containing the best traditional art performances, Mongolia can offer. The concert program combines traditional and modern performances of long song, throat singing; shaman, traditional and modern dance and music; morin khuur and yatga quartets; contortionists; traditional and modern costumes and many more. ICES produced this concert to tour around the World introducing the richness of Mongolian art.

3. "Puppet Tsam" - A puppet show and religious ceremony of the Buddhist Tsam mask dance. The show will be produced and rehearsed in Mongolia and will be performed around the world to introduce the rich cultural traditions and heritage of Mongolian Buddhism.
Tsam puppets will be built as copies of real Tsam dance and religious ceremonial masks after extensive research into the original examples in museums and monasteries in Mongolia. The show will combine a real Buddhist ceremony with real monks and live religious music. (On tour, a special sound recording will be used). The puppet show will include images of all the major gods, lords and guardian spirits of the Mongolian Lamaism pantheon.

4. "Horses and resources" - Mongolian contemporary art exhibition focused on horse theme (horse nation about horses), scheduled for display at SomArts Gallery, San Francisco in November 2004. This exhibition will combine the works of the best Mongolian artists, including paintings and installations. 5 Mongolian artists will travel to San Francisco to participle in the opening ceremony.

5. "Altai Peak" CD- Production of the first Mongolian traditional contemporary music album by Altai Peak traditional music group.

Introducing world arts and culture to Mongolia

1. "Native American Dance and Costume Show"- A Native American performance with dances, songs and a costume show to be given in Ulaanbaatar in summer 2004. This project aims to introduce the great culture and heritage of Native Americans to Mongolian people.
A group of 10-14 will stage performances, including various tribal dances (lighthearted, war dances, medicinal and young men's dances) and songs, with a Native American costume show by Mongolian models, at the UB Palace Concert Hall and other venues in Ulaanbaatar. This project will be covered by Mongolian TV, including interviews and short performances by the visiting artists.

2. "The Blues Project" - Bird Legg and the Tight Fit Blues Band from an Francisco Bay Area will perform a concert in Ulaanbaatar and will hold Blues and Composition seminars for Mongolian musicians and music college students. At the conclusion there will be a joint jam concert by all participants of the project.

3. "Arts for Nature"- An International Arts Festival and Eco-Trade Show, presenting music, theater, film, dance, and visual arts, and showcasing the latest developments in: renewable energy systems; outdoor goods and equipment; portable structures such as classrooms and health clinics; and environmentally sensitive natural resource development techniques. This festival will use the arts to call attention to the urgent need for environmental protection and the wise management of natural resources for sustainable development. In addition, the Festival will be an expression of new links between Mongolia and the World community through the creation of active, ongoing cultural exchanges and economic and business partnerships.

OTHER PROGRAMS

"This is Mongolia " website - To design and launch a website that includes: general information on Mongolia; detailed information on all fields of Mongolian arts and culture; contact information for organizations and individual artists and their links; and E-commerce and Cultural Tourism services. (more information is available upon request)

Cultural Tourism - ICES is starting cultural tourism services in Mongolia in the summer of 2004 with 9 different itineraries. It will be the first cultural tourism program in Mongolia. This project is under development and we are seeking partners and supporters. (Please, contact us for more information?)

Visitors Information Center - ICES is establishing an information and service center in the very center of Ulaanbaatar for visitors, tourists, tour agencies and operators in Mongolia and abroad. The main aim of the project is to establish an information database and network to support an effective partnership approach between key stakeholders - the government and NGOs, the private sector, local communities and foreign tour organizations and provide services as information, tours, internet, booking, postal, contacts, currency exchange, interpreters and guides. ICES is welcoming funders, supporters and partners for this project. Establishment 2004 and 2005. (Please, contact us for more information?)

TRAININGS

ICES organizes and hosts different trainings for arts management professionals and artists.

- "English Training"- ICES continuously will hold English courses (4 classes at 3 levels-intermediate, pre- intermediate and beginners) for artists, arts managers and cultural professionals, at ICES office. One professional English teacher and one native English speaking volunteer will hold the lessons. Classes will start in January 2004 and will run until June annually.

- "Computer & Internet training"- ICES will continue to hold the computer and Internet training for Mongolian artists, art managers and cultural professionals. We are looking for funds to update our training and public computers. Classes will start in January 2004 and will run until June annually.
- "Internship program" - ICES offers an internship program for students from Arts Management Faculty of Mongolian Arts and Cultural University and other educational organizations abroad. We welcome anyone who is interested in participating in this program.

- "Seminars and workshops"- ICES occasionally organizes and hosts different seminars and workshops in areas of interest to arts providers.

ICES PROJECTS IN THE PAST