Festival of Arts with the Disabled
The first Festival of Arts with the Disabled in the Asia-Pacific region brought different lives together through the arts, and wrote the opening chapter of ADAHK
Where It All Began: Festival of Arts with the Disabled
Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong owes its very existence to a watershed moment in 1986: the success of the Festival of Arts with the Disabled. Running from 12 April to 26 April 1986, this Festival was the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region. It marked a pivotal milestone in the rehabilitation sector and played a vital role in the cultural development of Hong Kong. The Festival opened new opportunities for the integration of rehabilitation and the arts, inspiring active participation from all sectors of society and emphasising the importance of the arts, which transcend boundaries.
Building on the spirit of the International Year of Disabled Persons, proclaimed by the United Nations in 1981, the Festival created a platform for people with and without disabilities to explore their untapped potential and creativity together. It encouraged local art practitioners to view art as a means of communication and to experiment with new forms of expression. Additionally, the event promoted care and understanding for people with disabilities within the community, deepened interpersonal interactions, and enhanced the social functions of art.
Arts are for Everyone
The Festival was organised collaboratively by 20 institutions across Hong Kong and coordinated by the Hong Kong Arts Centre. It was directed by Ms Bernadette Tsui. With the theme ‘Arts are for Everyone,’ the event centred around the Hong Kong Arts Centre and extended to various districts across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. This city-wide celebration attracted over 50,000 attendees.
The Festival featured a diverse and rich programme that included large-scale mural collaborations on building exteriors in multiple districts, involving students from both special and mainstream schools. Highlights of the event included a series of open-air arts and crafts markets, the ‘touch’ art exhibition, a joint jewellery design exhibition, a poster showcase, performances by international art troupes, workshops, an international symposium, and a special edition of the variety show ‘Enjoy Yourself Tonight.’
Building Rapport: Rehabilitation and Arts Sectors
The Festival was honoured to have Lady Youde as its Patron and Dr the Hon Harry Fang as Vice-Patron. The event was led by Chairperson Dr the Hon Henrietta Ip and Vice-Chairperson Ms Marion Fang, who represented the Hong Kong Special Schools Council. The Organising Committee consists of representatives from various organisations, including the Education Department, Urban Services Department, Spastics Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong P.H.A.B. Association, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Rehabilitation Division of the Education and Manpower Branch, Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth, Hong Kong Association of the Blind, Hong Kong Society for the Deaf, City and New Territories Administration, Social Welfare Department, Rehabilitation Service of Caritas Hong Kong, Hong Kong Red Cross Schools, Municipal Services Branch, Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, Hong Kong Association for the Mentally Handicapped, Information Services Department, Association for Bauhinia Movement, and the Joint Council for the Physically and Mentally Disabled (Rehabilitation Division, HKCSS).
A Global Benchmark: International Symposium Connecting Hong Kong to the World
One of the Festival’s crowning achievements was its International Symposium, attracting delegates from the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, China, Japan, Taiwan, India, and Thailand.
This exchange of ideas turned the Festival into a shared platform for parents, educators, and artists to share insights and strategise the long-term growth of inclusive arts. Overseas peers looked to Hong Kong’s model of community-driven practice as a blueprint for the Asia-Pacific. The dialogue not only sparked new creative avenues but also cemented Hong Kong’s role within a global movement, aligning local efforts with international standards of excellence.
From a Moment to a Movement: The Trust Fund
As the Festival drew to a triumphant close, the momentum was far from over. Recognising the profound impact of the event, the community passionately called for the establishment of a trust fund, carrying the torch forward for the mission of ‘Arts are for Everyone’ and paving the way from a single milestone to a long-term movement.
More Snapshots
More Information
Festival of Arts with the Disabled Festival Diary
Sign of a Caring Society: Festival of Arts with the Disabled
