animateur

American  

[an-uh-muh-tur, -cher] / ˌæn ə məˈtɜr, -ˈtʃər /

noun

1. a person who initiates, promotes, or helps to organize and manage community undertakings of various kinds.

   The animateur helped neighborhood parents and children with everything from designing the playground to final construction.

   The animateur joined forces with a composer and a team of musicians to help participants create and perform their own song cycle.

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Etymology

Origin of animateur

First recorded in 1945–50; from French, from Late Latin animātor; see animator ( def. )

Explanation

Something like a community music festival, a sports camp, or the building of a neighborhood playground needs an animateur to make it happen — a person to get it started, organize it, and recruit people from the community to participate. Animateurs can work in a variety of different fields. The term originally comes from the arts, and some do work in that field, perhaps leading workshops for community members to learn painting or music appreciation. Others work in institutions such as homes for elderly or disabled people, planning recreational programs for the residents. Still others help with projects such as setting up a community garden or preparing a hiking trail for use. The word animateur comes from French, literally meaning "one who brings to life."

Example Sentences

It became clear to us that he was the next animateur of the Center.

From New York Times • Nov. 15, 2022

"The bassoon!" chorused a choir of small voices, some of whom had attended the pre-show workshop in which animateur Luke Crookes provided a masterclass in Prokofiev's kiddie classic.

From The Guardian • Dec. 29, 2010