I am a Belizean Maya Mestizo youth persuing an Associate degree in Tourism Management. I work at the U Chan Muul Yaax K'aax Maya Museum- Assistant to the Director; where I apply my artistic skills in paitings, ceramics and wood art. My Mayan Mestizo culture enriches my activities in researching,video production and preparing the Ixchel medicinal garden. I want to be a young cultural ambassador to safeguard and transcend my culture to Belize and other youths internationally. My duties at the Museum and skills are qualities that empowers me to advocate my tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

About the Presentation

Thematic Session: Museums & Heritage Spaces - September 1st, 2021 from 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM (UTC-6:00)

"When Social Media meets Art and Culture" will be a presentation based on the U Chan Muul Yaax K'aax Maya Museum from the genesis to its developing stages, reaching out to the youth and elders. It will focus on how social media meets art and culture can transmit inspiration, hope, oral tradition and become a role model.  We will showcase the main events at U CHan Muul Maya Museum such as the annual Festival del Pueblo, work with Organizacion Mundo Maya and Ixchel medicinal garden. We will focus on the different developing stages of the museum and work.

How social media inspires young people?  We aim to raise awareness and motivation for young people, highlighting one of the Museum's main collaborators Mr Adriel Alexis Carrillo. Culture and art in collaboration with Alexis’ work at the Museum will be featured. His artistic skills and how they reflect his cultural identity.

As a youth, many have goals and challenges. As a young artist who wishes to pursue his degree and grow in the art world as a cultural ambassador. There is no secret formula or recipe for how to involve young generations in culture. The museum creates opportunities and serves as a role model. Alexis will be featured, showing that using social media at the museum, he can be a role model to younger generations.

One of the museum's responsibilities is to promote, advocate and safeguard our tangible and intangible cultural heritage. One resource available is Social media, How it is being used in achieving this responsibility goes beyond researching and talking to our elders. The feature will be inclusive and embrace social media users, especially how our youth can contribute to Belize's melting pot and economy.