CreativeKids_Social_Impact_Report_2016

Social Impact Report

Central
• Rm 1202-04, Universal Trade Centre, 3 Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2530 4336 Fax: 2530 4707

Taikoo Shing
• G412-413, G/F, Chai Kung Mansion, 2 Tai Yue Avenue, Taikoo Shing, Hong Kong
Tel: 2560 1383 Fax: 2560 1032

• Website: www.creativekids.com.hk Email: [email protected]

Text by LO Kwok Yin Angelina
Graphic design by Patsy LUM
Data collection by CreativeKids Team

© All rights reserved by CreativeKids 2016

It all started with a simple belief that art can draw out the best in children.
This belief has been translated into over 25 years of carefully designed art
experiences for children, families, schools, and communities beyond Hong Kong.

Like a river gathering momentum from tributaries, CreativeKids has expanded in
breadth and depth, while nurturing an ecosystem of both young and established
artists and designers. Our afterschool enrichment program has evolved to a
sustained network of programs in public and private schools, learning centres
and non-profit organizations. Our advocacy for building the child as an
autonomous person, and our emphasis on process over product (Krippner
and Arons, 1973), inspiration over instruction and imagination over imitation has
gained widespread support.

This year we celebrate our 25th anniversary. We are counting our blessings
in two different ways. One is reflecting on the ways children have taught us
about creativity. Two is quantifying the impact we have made on individuals and
the community. It is difficult to quantify the qualitative impact of art and design
education on academic performance, career prospect, aesthetic judgment,
personal fulfillment, community revitalization, cultural tolerance and economic
prosperity. We do not intend to make such ambitious claims. Rather, this Social
Impact Report is a retrospective search for clues for improvement, and ways to
develop children and teenagers to ask like artists and answer like designers.

Art and design education does not need to be marginalized but married to all
disciplines of learning. As a river changes the environment along its course,
we hope CreativeKids will contribute to the changing landscape of creative
education by bringing out the truest in children.

Angelina Lo-Chui
Founder Director
September 2016

Krippner, S. & Arons, M. (1973). Creativity: Person, Product, or Process? Gifted Child Quarterly, 116-23.

23

Career Fields Percentage* The aim of art and design education is not Alumni
solely to produce artists and designers but Career Fields
From a Picture to a Future Academic Research 2% individuals who are actualized in their own
and Education chosen fields of academic pursuit or careers.
In our studios, we have no greater joy than to witness the transforming power of art in our children. We believe 10%
in their abilities to construct knowledge, respect their autonomy and help them realize their imagination. Daily Architecture, Surveying, 32%
we affirm their whimsical ideas with a “why not” and “anything is possible” attitude. From a picture to a future, Engineering and Construction 8%
every creative act by children shapes their mindset, which in turn shapes their future. 8% 15%
Arts, Design, 7%
As a clinician, researcher and teacher, I constantly try and think out of the box and adopt a creative Entertainment and Media 18%
and innovative mindset in research but also whilst teaching medical students. I believe CreativeKids
has played a crucial role during my childhood in helping me develop these qualities. Business Support and * Percentage based on 60 alumni contacted between Apr - Sep 2016
Alumnus Gary LAU Human Resources

Financial and
Accounting Services

Human Health and
Veterinary Services

Legal Services

Others

The encouragement I received for being creative built a foundation for me to come up with novel and

innovative ideas in the world of academia. Alumnus Felix SHIN

Records of students’ acceptance into art, design and architecture programs of institutions:

我最深印象是聽老師説的藝術史，不單認識從前藝術家們的有趣事跡和不同的文化，而且更啓發了我 Academy of Art University New York University The University of Manchester
「Mission Impossible」的思維。……去年在機緣巧合下，毅然辭退在則師樓的工作，跟男朋友 Architectural Association School of Architecture
一起到福建南靖參予一項翻新土樓變成民宿的義務工作，當中更發揮了「什麼都可能的小宇宙」。 Art Institute of Chicago Oxford Brookes University UCL Bartlett School of Architecture
Cambridge University
Alumna Karen CHOI Cardiff University Oxford University UCL, Slade School of Fine Art
Carnegie Mellon University
Central Saint Martins College of Arts & Design Parsons The New School for Design University of Bath
Cooper Union
I’ve always been a person who likes to do things in an unconventional way, and through the wide Cornell University Pitzer College University of Brighton
range of projects that I’ve done at CreativeKids, I’ve not only learned how to trust my instincts and Emily Carr University of Art and Design
think outside the box, but more importantly, I’ve learned how to control this “why not?” attitude through Hong Kong Polytechnic University Pratt Institute University of British Columbia
the development of my project management skills. Kingston University
Alumnus Andrew LUI London College of Fashion Ravensbourne College of Design University of California, San Diego
Loughborough University and Communication
Maryland Institute College of Art University of Glasgow
Minneapolis College of Art and Design Rhode Island School of Design
University Of Huddersfield, UK and
RMIT University, Hong Kong Art School Hong Kong College of Technology

Savannah College of Art & Design University of Nottingham

School of Visual Arts University of Pennsylvania

Technical University of Delft University of Southern California

The Chinese University of Hong Kong University of New South Wales

The University of Edinburgh Washington University in St. Louis

The University of Hong Kong Yale University

4 5

The Thinking Twins: Creative Thinking and Critical Thinking

Children’s art is a record of growth and a window to their thinking and feelings. When we view art as
something to be ‘taught’, we run the risk of putting children in a passive mode of imitating and conforming
to adult notion of how art ‘ought to look like’. Years of observation have revealed to us that experiential art
and design thinking help to balance children’s creative thinking (imagine, invent, diverge) and critical thinking
(analyze, evaluate, converge). Art and design education is more than techniques. It is learning to think, to
feel and to solve problems. When children are empowered to express visually and verbally, they are equipped
for more well-rounded development.

讓我的孩子參加 CreativeKids 的課程，是希望他們從創作過程中，思考模式得到啟發，讓他們有個人
的獨特思考訓練和發展，而不單是讓他們參加一項課餘藝術活動和訓練繪畫技巧的課程。

Parent Edna YAU

I wouldn't say my day to day activities directly involve art, but I would say that CreativeKids' training

and foundation goes beyond techniques, and encourage thinking and research which suits my

research job. Alumnus Felix SHIN

Intrinsic or Extrinsic Motivation No. of themes we constructed for
creative learning environment
One of the most magical moments in the studios is to watch children totally absorbed in auto-pilot work or play.
Psychologist Csikszentmihalyi describes this state of peak enjoyment, energetic and creative concentration In an immersive creative environment, children find enormous
as a ‘flow” state (Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). They experience what it means to choose to do something, without enjoyment that forms the intrinsic motivation for learning.
prompting or praising. Art is pursued for sheer satisfaction when children are intrinsically moved to explore, We apply ourselves diligently to installing scenes and settings of
experiment and express, not to win or to impress for extrinsic rewards. different themes to trigger imagination.

Through her 6 years at CreativeKids, my daughter Isabelle has greatly improved. Not only has she

built more patience, she has started to develop a sense of intrinsic motivation. She has expectations

for her own artwork. Parent Vivian WOO

6 7
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Beyond boredom and anxiety. Jossey-Bass.

Diverse Perspectives No. of Programs No. of

2,000 1,980 Programs

Art is an arena in which children can be both a winner and a loser; a player and a spectator who can see 1,750 developed by our curriculum team
the game from different angles. When children create individually and as a group, they free themselves
from self-centredness to multiple perspectives. As art facilitators, we continually construct creative learning 1,500 Children accumulate a broad base of knowledge
environments in which children can immerse themselves in all forms of sensory stimulations and learning. 1,250 as they are engaged in developmentally-
1,000 appropriate art programs that are diverse in
Our curriculum is designed not to be delivered as a recurring set of art lessons but as a ‘living curriculum’ of themes, techniques and thinking.
manifold programs that emphasize concepts and comprehension. It is ‘living’ in the sense that it has been 750
always in the process of being developed by a curriculum team and that it grows with our children, who stay
with us for years through their childhood and adolescence.

我培養了凡事要作多角度思考和分析的習慣，才作最後的決定。 Alumnus Eugene LI 1,164
816
我更熱愛個人藝術創作，讓我學會從不同角度欣賞身邊每一事、每一物。 Parent Edna YAU

Attending CreativeKids for many years allowed me to develop an aspect of my identity outside of

the circle of my school and friends. Even at a young age, CreativeKids allowed me a safe place to

freely express my own ideas without the constraint of “grades”. More importantly, as I grew older,

this freedom to express ideas contributed to my self-confidence, making me a stronger individual as

a whole. Alumnus Andrew LUI 500
358
At CreativeKids, my daughter has learned that art is a medium of expression and a means to define 342 320
and refine ourselves. Art itself is never the mission, it reflects the journey. Parent Vivian WOO 250
168 168
I think CreativeKids gives a podium for children to express themselves without the limitations of 0 48 11 18

success and award. Parent Alan CHAN

CrCreeatiatviveeKidWadiwesa Adult
ModernACrthiPnreosgeraArmt Programs

Techniques of
Kidesign
Types
Oil Painting
Kidgital Art
Young ArchitectKisdsPrIomgrpaactm

8 9

Empathy Children's Heart Breakthrough YBoeuntehfiVciiallraygeOrganizations No. of Non-profit Events
Foundation For Charity and Community Services
CreativeKids was started as a children’s art studio. It did not take long to see that in order to foster children’s It is not enough to develop only
visual creative development, it was not enough just to make pretty pictures on the wall. Children must Heep Hong Society Chinese Bible International Limited competence in creativity but also
learn to ask like artists and answer like designers. Our design and architecture curricula connect children’s in character. Through serving
imagination to innovate for real life problems. By learning to empathize with other people’s needs, children International Bible Society (HK) Ltd others in needs, children grow up
can go beyond self-interest. Creativity has a constructive purpose. Kids4Kids with a sense of mission.

Our family has not heard about the concept of inclusive playground before, and we are humbled by Make-A-Wish Hong Kong 11
our ignorance of not considering the accessibility of physically challenged children to different park MaFroyrkmneorllSCtuodnevnentst'SAcshsooocliation
facilities. We are glad that we participated in this charity art workshop, so that our children can be
more aware and compassionate towards those less fortunate than they are. Mother's Choice
Parent Michelle LAI Oxfam Hong Kong
The concept of inclusive playground is new to us before this program. We haven't thought that we
could play together with disabled or handicapped children. Their needs are often being ignored or Playright
overlooked. This is really enlightening.
Parent Shermaine WONG Prince of Wales Hospital
The Hong Kong Institute of Education
Inclusive playground workshop
Aug, 2015 TWGHs Leo Tung-hai LEE Primary School
10
UNICEF Hong Kong World Vision Hong Kong

12 13

Making Vagueness Visible No. of Students reached over 25 years

We have the most blessed job. Daily we are working with the most promising stage of human life, sharing the We believe creativity is bestowed upon each
most fun- and hope-filled learning process with children. We witness the awesome moments when children child, irrespective of social, economic and
give shape to invisible thoughts, inexpressible feelings and infinite possibilities. Art allows children to make cultural backgrounds. We are privileged to
vagueness visible and the intangible tangible. If children’s art is judged only by its product, then we will be accompany a growing number of students who
missing out some of the magic in life. stay enrolled throughout a significant part of their
childhood and adolescent years.
For me, a big part of the CreativeKids training is how to go from:
Concept Concrete Idea Work Plan Execution Final Product No. of Staff Members
Though at a different scale and format, essentially the above is what my work as a Project Manager over 25 years
requires me to do on a daily basis.
Without knowing and at a young age, CreativeKids taught me how to translate a vague concept into As our students stay enrolled for years,
concrete ideas on paper, the discipline of keeping to a work plan/deadlines and execution feasibility. so does our team who stay dedicated
These skills are all transferable to my job till this day and I have CreativeKids to thank for it! to serving students and families for
Alumnus Andrew LUI extended years. Our team is composed
of passionate people from diverse
CreativeKids teaches my sons how to create based on a certain theme, also to formulate their backgrounds and fields – design, fine art,
abstract ideas and put them down into visual forms. From something in the mind, into something architecture, performing art, expressive
that others can see and read the meaning. arts therapy, communication, advertising,
Parent Winnie LO finance, accounting and hospitality.

14 16Staff with over 10 years of service
1Staff with 20 years of service

15

Details & Discipline No. of Presentations, Seminars and Talks
on Art Education
In a society with almost zero tolerance to mistakes, art can be a sanctuary where children can fail, falter and
find themselves. In CreativeKids, we assure children that in art, ‘happy mistakes’ can be building blocks for a Adults’ concepts of creativity has a great impact on children’s creative
sense of humour, greater discipline and useful reminders for attending to details. development. We have the pleasure of frequent invitations to share
our beliefs and to build advocacy on art, design and architecture
CreativeKids 讓我從錯誤中，學會了凡事謹慎，不可馬馬虎虎！在一個動畫創作，老師已再三提點要 literacy during different events and occasions.
留意尺寸，但我草率地預算尺寸，最後因要趕在展出前完成，需要導師連夜為我們改正，好讓作品可
以如期展出。這次敎訓，提醒我現在於每次創作稿件時，也必謹慎！ No. of Teachers' Training
Alumnus Eugene LI
Many schools resonate with
Resourcefulness our approach and programs.
We are honored to share our
Creativity thrives best not in the absence of constraints but with obstacles that can catapult us forward to new experiences, success and failure
grounds. When resources are scarce, we are often compelled to connect unrelated objects, concepts or ideas in using art as a way to integrate
to form innovative ideas. cross-curricular learning.

我和男朋友一起到福建南靖參予了一項翻新土樓變成民宿的義務工作。由於物資和資金短缺，我們只 17
有就地取材和親力親為，為了達到目標，不停探索不同材料的可能性，例如在資源缺乏下，我們取用
當地的竹桿來作吊燈的簡約設計。
Alumna Karen CHOI

I think I’m most creative when utilizing readily available resources, that is: doing something different
than everybody else while using the same set of tools and materials.
Alumnus Andrew LUI

16

Aesthetic Judgment No. of Parenting Workshops

We believe in children’s intuition and abilities. Each art encounter can be an exercise to develop their More and more parents are letting go of conventional
aesthetic judgment through making choices and experiencing the consequences. Children with an artful concepts for values that advocate children’s autonomy and
childhood and adolescence are likely to extend their optimism into adulthood. actualization. We have a growing body of parents who
are co-creators, co-researchers and co-documenters of
孩子們童年時在 CreativeKids 上課，不但充分發揮想像力，更培養出一顆懂得欣賞世界美的心，充滿 children’s creative development.
正向能量。
兒子宇軒從小鍛鍊了敏銳的觀察力和美感的判斷力，縱使現在從事飛機工程，工餘時也不忘拿起相機 No. of Offsite
為大家作攝影師。 Art Learning Activities
Parent Christine CHIU

CreativeKids did help established my foundation of aesthetic cognizance through the way of seeing.
Alumna Avis WONG

Building Bridges, Breakthrough Youth Village Outdoor Dinosaur Sketching, Science Museum Creative learning cannot
Nov, 2008 Mar, 2014 be desk-bound. Offsite art
learning activities allow us
18 to find inspirations from
our environment, connect
unrelated ideas and make
art relevant to real life
situations. Art and creativity
is everywhere.

19

20 21

Unique Visual Language No. of Exhibitions

Images help children depict what is on their minds, even before the written or verbal language is mastered. Children and teenagers share with the community their
The visual language has the power to cross ages, cultures and disciplines. When adults pay attention to the keen observation, creative ideas and expressions through
content of images made by children, we draw near to their hearts. individual and group exhibitions. We are very grateful to
corporations and individuals who made this possible
The painting of symmetry gave our daughter Cherrie a visual language to depict her struggle with a through their generous support and sponsorship.

prolonged cough and phlegm that invaded her lungs (a symmetric form). Special thanks to:

Community projects such as building the Noah’s Ark, ignited our son Helio’s interest to develop his Cattle Depot Artist Village
China Century Monument
unique visual language in video-production. Parents Cissy & Alpha LEUNG Guangdong Museum of Art
Hang Lung Properties Limited
Hong Kong Dance
K11 Hong Kong Art Mall
Lee Garden
Museum Annex
Playright
STRiDA Hong Kong
Swire Properties Limited
Sun Hung Kai Properties
The Sino Group
Wharf Properties Limited

22 23

Collective Efforts No. of Student and
Studio Awards
Children, as young as two-and-a-half years, are engaged in both individual and group art activities in
Recognition
CreativeKids. During a group art activity, children share, negotiate and witness how individual parts come
We are grateful for the affirmation brought by
together to form a coherent whole. They learn to face obstacles and resolve conflicts. The ability to the Hong Kong Arts Development Council Award
collaborate is important for social and emotional development in the 21st century. (Bronze) for Arts Education in May 2013 and
the Culture and Creativity Awards 2016
My daughter Isabelle was particularly proud to take part in group projects involving the teachers and (Cultural education and library, archive and
museum services category) in June 2016.
the students. The centerpiece done for Mother’s Choice was an excellent piece of art but most
On Competition and Prizes
importantly, the message behind the artwork as well as art not needing to always come from one We believe that a creative spirit thrives in an adventurous
environment that allows happy mistakes. Competition can be
individual. good for children in developing healthy attitudes about winning and
losing, encouraging growth and excellence. But children’s winning edge
Parent Vivian WOO is not in defeating others but in solving problems with best possible solutions.
Periodically we enter children’s artwork (without making art contests too much of an extrinsic
motivation) and have many affirming results.

24 25

Online press No. of

Forms of Emotional Expression CreativeKids Media Media Coverage

Modern artists, such as Klee and Picasso, sought inspiration from children's art. The childlike and intuitive TV Interviews 5
freshness is priceless but easily lost during the course of growing up.
52
我的孩子「懷石」由 6 歲開始參加 CreativeKids 課程，年紀小小的他已懂得透過創作抒發情感。
那年我在上海公幹了一段頗長的時間，他創作了一張以馬為題材的作品，作品下半部分是香港景色， 5
看後我不禁感動起來，孩子實在太掛念我了，嚷著叫我快回家去！
Parent Anne MOK Publications 3
2
Radio Interviews 145

Our advocacy has been Press & Magazine Interviews
advanced by frequent
interviews and reports in
the media.

26 27

Special thanks to Alumna Avis WONGParents Cissy & Alpha LEUNG and Family
our alumuni and and Auntie Angie Parent Edna YAU
parents for sharing
their thoughts and Parent Christine CHIU and Alumna Natalie
encouragement.

Parent Anne MOK and Family

Parent Vivian WOO and Alumnus Andrew LUI
Student Isabelle Parent Shermaine WONG and Students Annabelle and Angie

Parent Michelle LAI and Student Allegra Parent Alan CHAN and Family

Alumnus Gary LAU Parent Winnie LO and Family
Alumnus Eugene LI

Alumnus Felix SHIN

Alumna Karen CHOI

Shop 5B, 9 Po Lun Street, With 25 years of experience, we have formed a social enterprise in
Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon February 2016 called IM Creative in Mei Foo. Our mission is to make
quality art education available and afforable to children from different
Tel: 2521 0054 Fax: 2555 2311 backgrounds. Mobilized by children and families, a creative community is
built to make positive changes to society.
Website: www.imcreative.com.hk
在 25 年的創意藝術及設計教育過程中，燃起了我們把優質藝術教育帶到基
層社會的使命感。因此，於 2016 年 2 月，「奇極創作室」的子公司「創想
聯萌」正式以社會企業的模式營運。綜合「奇極創作室」過去 25 年在創意
教育累積的寳貴經驗，成為「創想聯萌」的基石，以創意藝術及設計教育為
骨幹，服務社區，為社會帶來正面的改變。

30 31

The process of generating this Social Impact Report has been very meaningful
for reflecting on our practice. Looking to our past allows us to shuttle between
time and to relive precious moments.

Children are moving targets and all our teaching objectives are under constant

revision to ensure that the art educational experiences are relevant to our times.

In retrospect, one of the ways we could have done better is to pay even closer

attention to the creative impulses and expressions that happen with children

throughout the day. The drawings on napkins, the sculptures made with candy

wrappers, the pictures drawn on misty windows and

the moustache/beard made with bubbles in the bathtub

are all fleeting moments that can only be captured and

documented by parents. Yes, parents, our partners in

children’s creative development. We need more of your

involvement in the next 25 years. Zoe with bubble beard