Arte Moris is a not-for-profit Fine Art School, Cultural Centre and Art Community based in Dili, East Timor. Since 2003 Arte Moris has been using the creative arts as a building block for psychological and social reconstruction of a country devastated by violence. Arte Moris was born in the aftermath of 25 years of Indonesian military occupation and the extremely violent events following the Augu
st 1999 referendum leading to the country's independence restoration on May 20th 2002. This project was the idea of Swiss artist Luca Gansser and cultural coordinator Gabriela Gansser, who turned it into reality with the help of a group of talented young people, the first fine arts students at the school. Through our collaboration with local and international organisations, schools and community groups we have gained invaluable experience in using art for capacity building. This has enabled us to help both the local and international community here in Timor become increasingly aware and involved in issues affecting this fledging democracy, in a way that builds community cohesiveness and encourages hope. Now one of the most successful youth projects in Timor, Arte Moris provides talented young people a direct means of creatively exploring their world, their unique history and heritage, their personal experiences, and their dreams for the future. Crucially, it also aims to provide the skills and experience for these young people to become teachers, full-time artists, and/or key producers in a future Timorese creative industries sector. The Honorary Patron of Arte Moris is Dr. Jose Ramos Horta, winner of the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize and currently East Timor's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
