Press Releases
International Festival of Inclusive Arts Symposium:Arts and Inclusion--Opportunities and Challenges (with photo)
The following is issued on behalf of the International Festival of Inclusive
Arts:
The "Arts and Inclusion �V Opportunities and Challenges" Symposium of the
International Festival of Inclusive Arts (IFIA) was held today (December 4) at
the Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum. The Honorary Patron of the Arts with
the Disabled Association Hong Kong (ADA), Mrs Selina Tsang, officiated at the
opening ceremony. Overseas experts and local professionals were invited to
exchange their experiences, seeking to scale new heights in inclusion.
Chairperson of ADA Ida Lam in her keynote speech "Arts for Everyone" said ADA
had been promoting harmony and inclusiveness through arts with people with and
without disabilities, and encouraging artistic creativity through their
collaboration in cultural and arts activities in the last 20 years. Its primary
focus included building partnership with various artists and organisations,
promoting arts to people with disabilities, advocating and organising public
educational activities. ADA also brought in new and creative art forms, such as
the deaf theatre and SAORI weaving art from Japan. The ADA Angels Project was
also established and five outstanding artists and groups were selected as angels
to promote arts inclusion.
President of VSA Soula Antoniou said their activities had been extended to 60
countries worldwide, with the mission of creating societies where people with
disabilities could learn through, participated in and enjoyed arts. VSA focused
on training trainers and students, as well as empowering artists with
disabilities by organising various activities and providing support.
In the afternoon session, selected topics were discussed by various speakers who
played different roles in the subject of "arts" and "inclusion" in the fields of
education, arts and culture in different countries. From a wide spectrum of
viewpoints, they shared from their experiences opportunities and challenges
encountered in their work. Speakers included Wendy Crawford, a professional
model from the US, who had been advocating rights of women and people with
disabilities for years, Senior Curriculum Development Officer (Visual Arts),
Education and Manpower Bureau, Dr Vanessa LI Lok-wa; Artistic Director, Rawcus
Theatre Company, Kate Sulan, and Chief Curator, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Mr Tang
Hoi-chiu.
Organised by the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau and the Arts with the Disabled
Association Hong Kong, the IFIA aimed to provide opportunities for people with
different challenges and abilities to collaborate in the arts, fostering a
harmonious and inclusive society.
In the nine-day festival, there are five performing arts events showcasing
artistic talents of local, mainland and overseas artists with and without
disabilities; three inclusive arts exhibitions with different themes, symposium
and multi-media workshops featuring the theme of inclusive arts, and an
extensive outdoor carnival.
For details, please visit the IFIA website at www.hkifia.net.
Ends/Monday, December 4, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:54
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(Photo 1)