GFDD and FUNGLODE Launch Global Media Arts Institute Web Page

In response to the Global Media Arts Institute’s (GMAI) rapidly expanding programs, Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) have created  a bilingual Portal (in English and Spanish)  in order to better inform the public of the opportunities available through the Institute and create a virtual community of professionals, aspiring talents and aficionados of the  media arts.

GMAI was created and developed by GFDD and FUNGLODE with the purpose of offering innovative courses and professional development programs in audiovisual matters, with special emphasis on television and film production, both onsite and online (in coordination with Univirtual Global Dominicana).

The Institute is dedicated to providing up-in-coming professionals in the television and film industry with comprehensive instruction in the latest trends in audiovisual production, as part of its overall mission to expand the multimedia industry of the Dominican Republic. GMAI seeks to play a key role in the development of a highly qualified Dominican audiovisual industry that significantly contributes to the economic development, competitiveness and modernization of the nation.

GMAI regularly offers introductory, intermediate, and advanced workshops and courses in audiovisual production in collaboration with prestigious international institutions and programs such as New York University’s Opportunity Program, One Race Films, the Escuela Internacional de Cine y Televisión de Cuba (the International School of Television and Film) and the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP). The Institute also organizes cultural activities that further understanding of the audiovisual arts, such as film screenings, panel discussions and interviews with artists and technicians.

The pages’ user friendly format allows visitors to acquire information regarding the courses, workshops, conferences and other activities offered by the Institute. The sites feature CVs of course instructors, reference materials, short films and commercials produced by GMAI students and photo galleries. Information concerning GMAI scholarship programs as well as internship opportunities through GFDD and FUNGLODE’s premier internship program, InteRDom, is also available on the sites.

A section denominated “GMAI Community” is currently under development and will include chat rooms, blogs, information, documents and exchange opportunities for instructors and students as well as an online training platform and programs.

GMAI Portal development was directed by GFDD Executive Director and FUNGLODE Vice President, Natasha Despotovic, and implemented by ICT Manager, Semiramis de Miranda, Technical Director, Omar de la Cruz, Web Designer, Claudia Saidon, Web Assistants, Regina Sánchez and Jonathan Grullón, and Coordinator Assistant, Kerry Stefancyk.