Aspiring artists aged 18 and above with special needs can now enrol in a programme launched by arts school Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and charity Very Special Arts Singapore (VSA) yesterday.
The programme will give a boost to those hoping to forge a career in the arts.
The certificate in visual arts, issued by NAFA’s Centre for Lifelong Education, is open to artists who have at least four years of visual arts training at VSA. Applicants are subject to a selection process.
The five-month programme, to be held at VSA (Bedok Centre), will help participants sharpen their conceptualisation and time management skills, and they will be assessed on two projects.
“The programme offers artists with special needs an opportunity to improve their career prospects and show that despite their special needs, they can produce quality, conceptual works within a given timeline,” said Ms Maureen Goh, the executive director of VSA, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
Set up by Professor Tommy Koh, Singapore’s Ambassador-at-Large, VSA aims to give people with disabilities opportunities through the arts.
Ms Linda de Mello, who is Director (Sector Development, Visual Arts) at the National Arts Council and Guest of Honour at the launch, said: “Over the years, we have witnessed an encouraging shift in the arts scene towards embracing diversity among us.
“It is heartening to see our arts institution foster greater inclusivity through this programme.”
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Source: The Straits Times, 15 June 2018