ADAHK has launched a two-year community art project titled ‘Vera Desai Capacity Building for Young Old as Arts Service Providers for Old Old and the Community Project.’ This initiative aims to help young-olds learn new generic arts skills, prepare for a second career, and enhance self-confidence and life satisfaction. It also fosters a sense of belonging by encouraging young-olds to share their skills and become contributing members of society, helping elderly with different abilities.

The project comprises of three components, mainly Photography, Reminiscence Therapy (Storytelling and Docent Training Workshop) and Home-Based Arts Programme.

This project offers a comprehensive series of training, including understanding the unique characteristics of elderly singletons, acquiring knowledge about mental health, and mastering the use of different artistic elements during home visits. These practical skills will not only enrich their participation in the Home-Based Arts Programme but also equip them with valuable tools for their second careers.

*The project is supported by the Vera Ruttonjee Desai Charitable Fund.

The ‘Ignition Scheme 3.0’ Final Showcase came to a curtain close at the HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity’s multimedia theatre and gallery. ADAHK is honoured to have invited Mr Ho Kai-ming, JP, Deputy Secretary for Labour and Welfare and Dr Frankie Yeung, BBS, MH, JP, Vice-Chairman of Hong Kong Arts Development Council as officiating guests at the Final Showcase cum Opening Ceremony.

The Final Showcase revolved around the theme of ‘Symbols’ and integrated various art forms such as music, dance, painting, and ceramics to illustrate students’ growth and experimentation. The Rotary Club of Hong Kong Island West Hong Chi Morninghope School incorporated body movements, expressions, and dynamic music to create a vibrant street dance performance, while students of the Buddhist To Chi Fat She Yeung Yat Lam Memorial School showcased pop songs featuring guitar music. The exhibition also featured visual artworks including paintings and ceramics created by students from the Hong Kong Red Cross John F. Kennedy Centre and Sam Shui Natives Association Lau Pun Cheung School. Unlike previous showcases, this Final Showcase resembled a graduation ceremony, symbolising a pivotal moment as it provided students with a professional platform to display their talents to the public, reflecting their progression towards professionalism and artistic exploration.

‘Ignition Scheme 3.0’ is jointly funded by Jean CK Ho Family Foundation and Hong Kong Arts Development Council.

The ‘Strive for Excellence in Art: Professional Development Programme of Artists with Disabilities’ was launched in early 2023. Since then, 4 courses have been running smoothly and are now nearing completion. The mentorship segment, an additional component of the programme, is currently in progress.

After 120 hours of vigorous professional training, 6 outstanding artists with disabilities were selected to participate in this segment. ADAHK carefully matched each artist with disability with a suitable professional artist to become their mentor. Consultations that last no less than 6 hours foster communication and friendship that stimulate artistic creation. With their invaluable guidance and support, these mentors play a crucial role in the participants’ artistic development.

Artworks from the mentorship segment will be exhibited at VESSEL in Kwun Tong in August. Stay tuned for more details.

ADAHK has embarked on a collaboration with the CUHK Medical Centre, spanning a one-year period. A total of 11 TV display panels, placed on different floors of the hospital building, now serve as vibrant windows into the world of artists with disabilities. The CUHK Medical Centre hopes that these artworks will not only inspire and encourage visitors but also serve as a powerful testament to the vibrant colours of life that can be expressed through the arts. This collaboration showcases the talents of the artists with disabilities while promoting social inclusion through the arts.

Period: May 2024 to May 2025 (With artworks being updated every 3 months)
Location: Visitor elevator lobbies on different floors of the CUHK Medical Centre

The adjudication of ‘Cross All Borders 2024: Hong Kong Competition of Showcasing New Visual Artists with Disabilities’ has come to an end. We would like to congratulate all the winners of the ‘Cross All Borders 2024!’ The 9 grand prize winners have already participated in the artist-sharing sessions, where they introduced their creative journeys and insights on award-winning. The artist vlog series, a much-anticipated event, will be released to the public in June, so please stay tuned to our website for the latest updates.

ADAHK’s Jockey Club Inclusive Arts Studio was honoured to host three esteemed artists from the renowned England’s disability performance and arts company, ‘Mind the Gap.’ Artistic Director Joyce Nga Yu Lee, facilitator Bee Skivington, and artist with learning disability JoAnne Haines, each with their unique expertise, shared their dedication and passion and brought an exciting and practical trainer’s training workshop on ‘Inclusive Practice, Identity and Empowerment’ in Hong Kong from 9 to 11 May.

The three artists, together with our local and Macau participants, embarked on a journey of experience sharing, thematic discussions, and theatre games. By combining the participants’ own work experiences, the workshop explored many creative possibilities and diverse practical methods for leading activities for people with disabilities, making the concept of ‘inclusivity’ more robust.

ADAHK’s artist with disability, Michelle Siu, was delighted to have been invited by J.P. Morgan to participate in its 100^th anniversary performance. The event was successfully held on 24 May at The Peninsula Hong Kong. Michelle’s opening song for the audience on that day was a vibrant addition to the event, inspiring all with her talent and determination.

This year, ‘No Limits’ launched the Pilot Creative Programme, ‘The Story of Motion,’ an inclusive dance project designed for people with visual impairment. In collaboration with local community centres, the project encouraged participants to engage in creative movement and artistic expression. It featured a rich array of activities in different phases and wrapped up with a dance showcase and sharing at Tai Kwun in May.

In addition to providing the train-the-trainers workshop, ADAHK also provided Audio Description at the showcase, allowing the audience and people with visual impairment to share the joy of the arts. Additionally, ADAHK arranged for 5 participants to perform at the showcase, revealing incredible outcomes from their creative journey exploring the possibilities of their bodies through various dance genres.

‘No Limits’ is co-presented by the Hong Kong Arts Festival and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

Strategic Supporting Partner: Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong

Photo Credit: No Limits

We will provide Arts Accessibility services for the art programmes below. You are most welcome to enjoy and participate.

‘The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Ancient Civilisation of the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties in Henan Province’ - Inclusive Life: Museum for All by Hong Kong Museum of History (Guided Tour with Sign Interpretation and Guided Tour with Audio Descriptions and Model-touching Touch Workshop)

‘Mickey and the Wondrous Book’ by Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (Theatrical Interpretation)

‘The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Dwelling in Tranquillity - Reinventing Traditional Gardens’ by Hong Kong Palace Museum (Cantonese and English Braille Booklet)

Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong and its social enterprise ADAM Arts Creation (ADAM) have always adhered to the mission of ‘Arts are for Everyone’ and spared no effort to nurture artists with disabilities and strive to build an inclusive society through the arts. ADAM, established in 2014, has continuously strived for professional development opportunities and created job opportunities and sources of income for Hong Kong’s artists with disabilities over the years. The operation of ADAM is now under the supervision of Mr Mark Cheung, the Executive Director of ADAHK. Mr Cheung and colleagues in ADAM will dedicate their efforts to finding different collaboration opportunities and connecting artists with disabilities to varying partners across different sectors. Mr Cheung is confident that ADAM will be able to work as a team with ADAHK and allow artists with disabilities to showcase their talents on local and overseas stages.

ADAHK does not receive any regular government subvention. Our operation relies on donations from individuals, corporations and foundations alike. With support like yours, people with disabilities can continue exploring the world through the arts and develop the artistic talent that enables them to shine much brighter than they can imagine.

Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong
Tel.: 2855 9548
E-mail: ada@adahk.org.hk; marketing@adahk.org.hk 
Address: 4/F, Causeway Bay Community Centre, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong