Singapore, 20 December 2009 – This year, The International Children’s Art Exchange Programme 2009 benefited three times more children from Singapore and Tokyo after receiving overwhelming response from both the Business Times Budding Artist Fund (BT BAF) beneficiaries and NPO (Non-profit Organisation) Little Creators (Budding Artist Fund chapter in Japan). With 39 participants from Japan and Singapore, the second International Children’s Art Exchange programme was held from 19 - 20 December at The Little Arts Academy which is managed by The Old Parliament House Limited.
This two-day cross-cultural art experience brought Singaporean and Japanese children together through a variety of workshops including hip-hop, traditional Malay Dance, a night-time excursion around Singapore to capture the Christmas light-up for an umbrella painting session and an opportunity to catch this year’s ChildAid concert that was held at the newly-built theatre, Festive Grand, in Resorts World at Sentosa.
The beneficiaries of NPO Little Creators for the International Children’s Art Exchange programme were 10 children ranging from 10 to 12 years old who come from a children’s home, Shakujii Gakuen, in the Western part of Tokyo. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government manages the home and the children are mainly from underprivileged families, victims of domestic violence or abandoned by their parents.
Says Ms Kyoko Hasegawa, Non-profit Organisation (NPO) Little Creators, “Because there is only a limit to how much we can do to make the society a better place, we hope to do something through our means to give these children a chance at happiness. We wish that the children from both countries forge a strong bond and friendship and offer support to one another throughout their life journeys.”
For most of the Japanese children, this was their first trip on a plane. They were very excited about the experience and watched movies they’d always wanted to catch on the in-flight entertainment system. They also made new friends and introduced traditional Japanese games, toys and the kimono through a little presentation. The Singaporean children reciprocated with a short powerpoint presentation on a typical day at school for Singaporean children called “Welcome to My School”.
Says Mr Fong Yan Kin, HOD-Aesthetics and CCA for Macpherson Primary School, ”The pupils enjoyed themselves thoroughly though they came from different countries and speak different languages. The unifying language here seems to be the arts; I am touched by the pure child-like joy pupils displayed in engaging in learning through the arts which transcends the barriers of creed and culture.
I have also witnessed how this is achieved when the Macpherson Pupils were intrigued by the traditional toys brought by the Japanese children, accepting the invitation to try playing with them and enjoying it immensely. That sparkle in the pupils’ eyes regardless whether they are Singaporean or Japanese in discovering something new through the arts, is enough for me to consider organising a trip for the school to this time to visit our newfound friends in Japan. Though it is quite a challenge considering the low social-economic status of our pupils (BTBAF pupils), it is worthwhile to give it a try to give our pupils a learning experience in the arts that they will remember for life.”
This certainly will be memory for keeps for Yuna Nakayama, 13, who had leukaemia last year and was unable to join the first International Children’s Arts Exchange Programme. She recovered earlier this year and joined us for the second International Children’s Art Exchange Programme. She said, “I enjoyed the hip-hop workshop the best because Mr Wan is kind and good at dancing. I have made many good foreign friends and even won the Most Voted Prize for the umbrella-painting workshop!
“Mr Wan” is Muhammed Ridhwan bin Nasrudin from Styles From Beyond who teaches hip-hop at The Little Arts Academy as part of LAA’s belief in the cycle of giving where practising artists develop and nurture the artistic talents and interests of economically-disadvantaged children who might enjoy a better future through the arts.
Ms Adelina Ong, Centre Manager, of The Little Arts Academy says, ”The Little Arts Academy has always believed that every child should have the opportunity to fully develop their interests and potential in the arts, regardless of financial circumstance, to create a better future for themselves and their families. With the International Children’s Art Exchange Programme, we have created international opportunities for all budding Singaporean artists between five and 12yrs of age who are economically distanced from the opportunity to travel and benefit from international arts development or educational opportunities through The Business Times Budding Artists Fund.
An international perspective is imperative in an increasingly globalised world. The arts necessarily reflects this globalisation and diversity, The International Children’s Art Exchange Programme provides an invaluable platform for economically-distanced children who are passionate about art to encounter other art traditions and cultures and, more importantly, open themselves up to new perspectives through the new friendships they have made.”
The International Children’s Art Exchange programme is organised by NPO Little Creators and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, co-presented by The Embassy of Japan in Singapore and supported by the Japan Foundation, Embassy of Japan, The Japanese Association of Singapore, JAL International and CSK Holdings.
