European Network of Cultural Centres (ENCC)

Children with Disabilities Participating in Light Art Festival Valoilmiö

Cultural Centre ARX
Finland
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Since 2017, Cultural Centre ARX has offered tailored art workshops for disabled children, with recent emphasis on light art and the Valoilmiö festival. Engaging special education small groups, we aim to showcase marginalised children in hometowns events, providing inclusive art experiences with professionals. To enhance activities, a scholarship seeks a professional light artist to elevate artwork quality and visibility, fostering collaboration and growth.

Since 2017, Cultural Centre ARX has offered tailored art workshops for disabled children, with recent emphasis on light art linked directly to the Valoilmiö festival. Children have participated in light art workshops, where they have created light art pieces together with an art educator. The project engages special education small groups aiming to showcase marginalised children as active participants in a hometown public event, providing them with inclusive art experiences alongside professionals.

At the 2022 festival the small groups exhibited a portrait exhibition featuring UV-illuminated self-portrait sculptures. The previous year saw the creation of the light installation called "My Mind". To enhance these activities further, the scholarship aims to enlist a professional light artist to work alongside educators and children, elevating both the artistic quality and visibility of the artwork. This would mark a natural progression from the art educator-led model to involving a professional artist. The scholarship enhances the artwork's artistic level, possibly relocating it to a more prominent spot, increasing its value to the audience.

The collaborative process involving the artist, educator, and children ensures the artwork's unpredictable outcome, fostering professional growth for all involved. This collaboration provides marginalised children with the opportunity to work with professionals, while educating the festival audience on diversity through art experiences.

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