ARTS CAN DO

Introducing an education based program of art as therapy for children in need

Many remote villages in China have seen all able-bodied men and women migrate to the bigger cities to undertake work.  The children in these communities see their parents at best once a year, often not for years at a time. A similar fate befalls even those children who accompany their parents to the cities where they live itinerant lives.  As a result young people suffer from many problems that affect their mental development, socialisation and education.

The Australia China Art Foundation (ACAF) has developed an education based program of art as therapy, Arts Can Do.  Arts Can Do brings artists to work with these migrant workers’ children in isolated villages and cities. The goal is to help unlock children's minds, allowing them to develop normal emotional and cognitive responses to the world.

Artists from the ACAF Fellowship program, as well as other artists in China and Hong Kong, will take part in Arts Can Do, along with trained educators and art therapists.  For participants it offers the opportunity for new modes of expression and insights, perhaps a life-changing experience.
The input of the artists has also begun to revitalize village life and bring new economic opportunities to families. Our first independent Arts Can Do centre will open in Xucun Village in July this year.

Arts Can Do is proudly supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.  The OCT Contemporary Art Terminal Shanghai (OCTA), Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art Beijing (UCCA) and Confucius Institute at La Trobe University Melbourne will provide support with media promotion, as well as an education and training platform for Arts Can Do charity program volunteers and children.
During ArtBasel Hong Kong, ACAF will host a cocktail party at the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong.  The event will take place on the 45th floor, in the Peak Suite on Friday, 24 May 2013 between 6:30pm and 11:30pm.  The function is solely in aid of the ‘art as therapy’ program, and to introduce Arts Can Do to interested parties in Hong Kong.

We are delighted to have the support of Bonhams Hong Kong, which has recently launched an Asian Contemporary Art department to coincide with the first edition of ArtBasel in Hong Kong.  The auction house has generously offered professional expertise in various areas to help us raise awareness and funds.

A silent auction will be held during the charity event to raise funds for Arts Can Do.  There will be a closing call for bids at 10:30pm.  This will be an exciting finale. The online preview and bidding will begin from 18th May.

Artshare.com, the first global platform dedicated to the exhibition and sale of modern and contemporary Asian art, will lend its support to help us reach a global network of collectors.

Collectrium, the #1 Cloud-Based Art Inventory Management Platform, will extend an invitation to their gallery and collector VIPs.  As the world’s first online and mobile collection management tool to cover the entire art world ecosystem, Collectrium will also provide extensive social media promotion of the event.

G.H.MUMM, part of Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët, the prestigious cognac and champagne business of Pernod Ricard, world’s co-leader in Spirits & Wines, is our exclusive champagne sponsor for the event. Aesop, creator of meticulously formulated skin, hair and body care, is our proud sponsor.

We thank the galleries, artists, public institutes, museums  and sponsors that have made significant contributions to this event.  We have already received very generous donations of art works from China, Hong Kong, Australia and other parts of the world.  Among the artworks to be offered are pieces donated from the James Cohan Gallery (Shanghai and New York City), Chambers Fine Art Gallery (New York City and Beijing), Olsen Irwin Gallery (Sydney) and Art Atrium Gallery (Sydney) and artists below:

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