Brazil Art & Design Community Project

Embrace the passion and energy of Brazil, when you visit this country of entrancing beauty and exotic, colourful wildlife. Relax on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro where locals and tourists alike bathe and surf in the warm waters and soak up the vibrant night life. Brazil is without a doubt one of the most bewitching destinations for those on a gap year as well as shorter staying volunteers. It provides vibrant culture with great opportunities, whilst assisting worthwhile community development initiatives. This programme gives you the opportunity to explore Brazil’s colourful cultural background.

Brazil's favelas are home to thousands of underprivileged children threatened by poverty and inequality. With little hope of education, children grow up resorting to crime or through selling cheap goods on the street to survive. As a Frontier volunteer you will bring much-needed help and joy to these communities. Your help in teaching and community activities will give local children a place to escape and enjoy childhood. 

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

FAST FACTS

WHAT'S INCLUDED

QUALIFICATIONS

A variety of qualifications are available on many of our projects. For example, BTEC certificates and diplomas on our Group conservation projects and TEFL certificates and BTECs on most of our teaching projects. You may also be able to gain a CoPE to support your university application. For more information on these qualifications, please see the qualifications section of our website or ask your volunteer advisor.

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?

There is an intense obsession with the arts in Rio de Janeiro - music, dance, and theatre are central to the Brazilian carnival culture. However, the arts are far more than just entertainment; it can be a powerful force for community building, nurturing human creativity, and social empowerment. This programme is dedicated to providing diverse populations with access to the arts empowering all Cariocas (locals from Rio) by the positive impact of the arts.

This project offers a great deal of scope for engaging the city’s most at-risk youth through an invigorating mix of music, dance, and theatre. Working with children from a number of favelas (urban slums) your efforts will play a valuable part in helping a project desperately short of resources, while allowing you to absorb the artistic vibes of Rio.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?

You will be met upon arrival at Rio de Janerio airport by a friendly member of the in-country staff and transported to your accommodation providing you arrive on the first or third Sunday of the month. You will receive orientation and local information in your first few days before starting the project.

WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?

You will be accommodated in one of a number of volunteer guesthouses located close to the project's main office, sharing a room with other volunteers, students or travellers. You will have access to a kitchen, bathroom, and living area. A laundry service is also available.

WHAT WILL I BE EATING?

A great aspect of this amazing project is that it is self-catered. This is a fun element of travelling away from home and a good opportunity to bond with your fellow travellers. You may also wish to explore local restaurants and market stalls. The locals tend to eat late so head out for an evening meal after 9pm if you want to avoid the tourists! Your accommodation has a kitchen with cookers, food lockers and refrigerators and there is a 24-hour grocery store one block from the accommodation in Rio. About $50 per week should be sufficient for basic diets but make sure you take a bit extra for treats and luxuries!

HOW WILL I GET TO WORK?

Transport to and from the project sites is not included but the cost is minimal.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

There are so many activities to try here that you certainly won't be short of things to do in your spare time. Try scuba diving in the beautiful warm waters, swimming in forest waterfalls, hang-gliding, kite surfing, sailing, canoeing and much, much more! In the area local to the project site, you can visit the stunning urban beach where surfing and bathing is very popular, visit the lighthouse or the sculpture park, or just soak up the fascinating ambience of the town that combines Indian, Portuguese and Afro-Caribbean influences.

COSTS

DEPARTURE DATES

PLEASE CHECK AVAILABILITY WHEN APPLYING FOR THIS POPULAR PROGRAMME

Those of you wanting to join this programme over the Rio Carnival week  will need to pay an additional accommodation surcharge of R700 for the week which will be collected by the in-country staff. During Carnival week the project will be closed but you may get the opportunity to participate in Carnival activities.

DURATION

2 weeks +

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Before you go

• Pre-departure support
• Travel & medical advice & documentation
• Equipment advice
• Discounted medical kit
• Free Frontier T-shirt (UK only)

In-country

• Accommodation
• Local orientation
• Project training
• Airport pick-up
• In-country emergency support
• 24-hour international HQ backup

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• Flights
• Visas
• Insurance

For detailed information on flights, visas and insurance, click here.

LEGAL STATEMENT

Please read our legal statement regarding the running of NGO projects.

To apply for this placement, click on "Apply Now" below. Fill in the short application form and one of our advisers will then call you back to answer any questions and make sure this is the perfect placement for you. Applying doesn't cost a penny and you won't pay anything until you're completely happy and you're ready to reserve your place.