With the aim of promoting social integration through arts activities, The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Charities Trust has donated HK$5.19 million to the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong (ADA) to launch Jockey Club Inclusive Arts Programme, a three-year programme to enhance artistic development of the disabled and exploit their potential.
One of the core elements of the programme is an annual exhibition entitled “A Bit More Than Arts Festival”, which was opened today (15 October) by the Club’s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So, ADA Chairperson Ida Lam and Legislator The Hon Frederick Fung at the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre (JCCAC) in Shek Kip Mei.
Mr So said the Club had donated more than HK$1.3 billion in support of local cultural development and various arts programmes over the past decade. “There are no boundaries in the arts,” he noted. “That’s why the Club is delighted to provide funding for ADA to promote inclusive arts for all sectors of the community through numerous innovative activities and services.”
The annual festival is being staged on the L1 Atrium of JCCAC from today to 3 November, showcasing the artworks by professional and emerging artists with disabilities. It features various forms of performing arts, guided tours, workshops to show the creative process, and demonstrations to encourage more interaction between the public and artists.
The three-year programme includes arts workshops and showcases for people with and without disability; professional training for disabled artists; as well as master class for social workers and teachers to equip them with artistic and facilitation skills, which is expected to benefit over 53,000 participants.
Over the years, the Club has partnered the ADA in promoting social inclusion. The Club’s donation to set up the Inclusive Arts Studio at JCCAC in 2008 enables people with and without disabilities to enjoy the diversified arts activities held in the barrier-free Studio. And the Club’s most recent support is to launch a five-year Jockey Club Arts Accessibility Scheme, encouraging more disabled people to enjoy arts performance with the assistance of audio description and sign language interpretation.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong’s best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city’s major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects. It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city’s growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.
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The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So says the Club is delighted to provide funding to ADA for promoting inclusive arts through numerous innovative activities and services.
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The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (back row, 3rd from right), Legislator The Hon Frederick Fung (back row, 5th from left) and ADA chairperson Ida Lam (back row, 4th from right) with ADA Committee members and disabled performers at the opening ceremony of the JC Inclusive Arts Programme Annual Festival 2011.
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The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (right) receives a souvenir from ADA chairperson Ida Lam (centre) to express his gratitude for the Cluba£į?s support to the promotion of social integration through arts activities. The painting was drawn by disabled artist Lee Sai-ho (left).
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Photos 4/5/6/7:
Guests tour the exhibition and community showcase, highlighting the artworks created by professional and emerging artists with disabilities.
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