Over the past decades, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council’s Children and Youth Service units has employed art therapy as a means of intervention to groom teenagers and foster their personal development. To consolidate its work in art education and provide comprehensive art and personal growth education, 9 children and youth service units of the Welfare Council have made a concerted effort to establish the Loving Arts Youth Academy, offering teenagers aged between 11 to 24 a wide spectrum of courses related to dancing, music, drama, media production, art and sports. Moreover, the academy provides personal growth and counselling services, exchange activities, social services and a platform of performances and competitions to teenagers, ensuring that they fulfil the mission of “Loving Oneself”, “Loving Others” and “Loving One’s Community”. In January 2017, the academy made its debut and launched its kick-off ceremony at the Kowloon City Children and Youth Integrated Service Centre followed by a roadshow on 21st January, 2017.
The highlight of the kick-off ceremony was a performance put on by 4 youth members. They performed a local pop hit with musical instruments and shared with guests their love and passion for art. Yannes, a dance enthusiast from the quartet, was once a shy girl who lacked confidence but she felt rejuvenated through dancing and performing on the stage. She hoped teenagers had the courage to follow their own dreams. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Jane Lee, Director of the Welfare Council, noted that art education was an intervention method catered to teenagers’ interest and needs, which allowed young people to express their inner selves, boosted their endurance, responsibility, team spirit and communication skills, unleashed their potential and encouraged them to reach their goals and pursue their dreams. She hoped that the academy’s quality art education could inspire more young people and transform their lives. She also thanked 4 consultants of the academy, namely, Mr Nick Ho, Dr Simon Lo, Mr Ray Kwok and Ms Ki Ki Kwok for their professional advices, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for supporting the Loving Arts Youth Development Project by sponsoring part of the dancing and music courses of the academy and the remodeling project of Loving Arts Youth Hub.
3 consultants including Mr Nick Ho, Dr Simon Lo and Ms Ki Ki Kwok and Mr Robert Wong, Executive Committee Member of the Welfare Council together with the Welfare Council’s management team officiated the kick-off ceremony. A huge “battery” lit up as more than 100 young people clapping to the beat played by the 4 drummers in the background, symbolizing the start of the academy’s journey.
A group of energetic young people then took a bus parade to Mong Kok, Tai Wai, Tin Shui Wai, Tung Chung and Tsim Sha Tsui to perform in wide open spaces for the public and introduce the academy’s mission of “Loving Oneself”, “Loving Others” and “Loving One’s Community” and spread messages of joy and positivity to the community. Singing, dancing and other performances by our young “street artists” even attracted crowds to join in the fun.