NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Largest Ever Number of Children Participating In Fourth Edition of Children for Children

Fri, 7 Oct 2011 | 8am – 6pm

Singapore, 20 September 2011 – The fourth edition of Children for Children at Resorts World Sentosa promises to be bigger, better and more exciting for 1,400 children from low-income families who have accepted the invitation to participate in this annual community event on Children’s Day (7 October, 2011).

With an overwhelming response from 73 out of a total of 173 primary schools in Singapore participating in this year’s Children for Children, this is the largest ever gathering for the event since its inception in 2008.

This event, jointly organised by The Arts House, The Business Times and CHIJ (Kellock), is also a fundraiser for ChildAid, an annual children’s charity concert organised by Singapore Press Holdings. Proceeds from ChildAid will benefit The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF) and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF).

Mr Alvin Tay, editor of The Business Times and chairman of The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF), says, “This community event is organised as part of BT’s 35^th Anniversary celebrations.  We sincerely thank our generous donors who have helped us raise $240,000 so far.  This will enable us to reach out to even more children with financial difficulties and, as importantly, offer them hope and maybe even some happiness.”

Immersing in this year’s theme of ImaginAction, the participants will embark on an exciting journey to discover the beauty of Dreaming, Daring and Doing, so as to bring about transformative change in self and other. The children will take part in arts activities comprising face painting, furry art, balloon sculpting, badge making and origami at the yet-to-be-opened Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium (MEMA), and watch a series of performances at the Coliseum, all specially prepared by their young hosts from CHIJ (Kellock), before proceeding to the Universal Studios Singapore, where they could enjoy, to their hearts’ content, rides at the popular theme park.

Mrs Clara Lim-Tan, principal of CHIJ (Kellock), says, “Over these last 4 years, Children’s Day has taken on quite a different meaning for pupils at CHIJ (Kellock). They no longer view it as just another school holiday. Rather, our pupils now look forward to Children’s Day as they associate it with the significance of the day as an opportunity and platform to do something special and meaningful for others, particularly children from less privileged backgrounds. Children for Children continues to be a powerful reminder that we are never too young to make a difference. It challenges us to dream up ideas and fresh ways of creating and leading positive change around us and in the process, inspire others to do the same. We are delighted to be working once again with our strategic partners The Business Times and The Arts House to make this year’s event a truly joyful and memorable one for all involved.”

Says Mr Robin Goh, Assistant Director of Communications of Resorts World Sentosa, of this year’s event: “We are honoured to partner The Business Times Budding Artists Fund as the venue for Children for Children 2011.  This year, the organisers pulled out all the stops and hope to wow the kids with an exciting line-up of activities.  Resorts World Sentosa is delighted to welcome these kids as our first guests to the Maritime Experiential Museum & Aquarium even before it officially opens to the public, in addition to the region’s most exciting theme park, Universal Studios Singapore, which the kids will also be visiting.  Since 2008, on our journey of giving, we have been privileged to have reached out to over 2,500 underprivileged kids, youths and social workers.  This meaningful ride has enriched us as a socially responsible corporate citizen and we hope to continue to inspire lives and making a difference for the community.”

With more than 100 corporate volunteers from Great Eastern Holdings Limited, Agape Group Holdings and The Arts House stepping in to ensure that the young guests have the most memorable Children’s day, Children for Children 2011 encapsulates the virtuous cycle of giving and sharing between the larger community and the underprivileged shared by BT BAF.

Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Education, will be the guest-of-honour for the event.

For more information on BT BAF, please visit www.baf.sg or contact us at enquirieslaa@toph.com.sg.

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The Business Times Budding Artists Fund

Launched by The Old Parliament House Ltd (a not-for-profit enterprise committed to enriching lives through arts and cultural initiatives) and adopted by The Business Times in 2005, The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF) originated from a conviction that no child with strong interest and potential in the arts should be deprived of the opportunity to develop his or her talents due to a lack of financial resources. The BT BAF encourages the development of creativity amongst the young and is critical in providing opportunities for disadvantaged children to discover hidden artistic talents and to develop their self-worth. Since 2005, the BT BAF has reached out to more than 7,000 disadvantaged children between the ages of five and 12 years through a variety of programmes comprising arts camps, workshops, and signature performance events. From 1 October 2010, the BT BAF has extended its reach to economically disadvantaged youths who are between 13 and 19 years of age. For more information on BT BAF, please visit www.baf.sg.

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Resorts World

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), Singapore’s first integrated resort is located on the resort island of Sentosa.  Spanning 49 hectares, the resort has welcomed over 15 million visitors since it opened in January 2010. RWS is home to the region’s first-and-only Universal Studios theme park, a casino, luxurious accommodation in four unique hotels, the Resorts World Convention Center, celebrity chef restaurants as well as specialty retail outlets. The resort also offers entertainment ranging from its resident theatrical circus spectacular Voyage de la Vie, to public attractions such as the Crane Dance and the Lake of Dreams.  Resorts World Sentosa is currently developing the second phase of the Resort.  Upon completion, RWS will open the Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium, the Marine Life Park, a destination spa and two additional hotels. Resorts World Sentosa is wholly owned by Genting Singapore, a company of the Genting Group.

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CHIJ (Kellock)

Established in 1964, CHIJ (Kellock) is an established all-girls’ government-aided primary school and the youngest of the 11 CHIJ schools in Singapore. The school’s vision of “A Globally-Minded Community with a Passion to Learn, Lead and Make a Difference” encapsulates its commitment toward providing a holistic education for its pupils, where each child can develop her potential to the fullest. Placing high priority on the learning and well-being of its pupils, the school aims to cultivate 21^st century learners with a global perspective – learners who are confident, creative and connected. It provides opportunities for them to grow and develop into concerned citizens and leaders of tomorrow.

MEDIA KIT

Volunteers

To ensure that the participants will have a fun-filled day, a total of 325 volunteers have stepped in to help at the event. A breakdown of their roles is as follow:

Donation in kind

The following corporations have donated in kind to Children for Children 2011.

Great Eastern Holdings Limited

• 1900 bottled water

Gardenia Foods (S) Pte Ltd.

• 634 pieces of custard buns
• 1266 buns at special rates

MLA Special Events

• Stage backdrop

Packing Day at CHIJ (Kellock) on 20 September 2011

Children for Children 2011 @ Resorts World Sentosa

Friday, 7 October 2011

Organising committee of Children for Children 2011

Singapore, 30 June 2011 – Come 7 October this year, Children for Children 2011 will partner Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) to give some 1,000 children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds the thrill of a lifetime as they get the opportunity to ‘Live The Movies’ at RWS’ Universal Studios Singapore®.

Initiated in 2008, and jointly organised by The Arts House, The Business Times and CHIJ (Kellock), Children for Children is an annual community event held on Children’s Day with the aim of giving a taste of fun, camaraderie and the arts to children who might otherwise never get such an opportunity.  Pupils of CHIJ (Kellock) play host to 1,000 needy children and regale them with performances and craft activities. This event is also an opportunity to raise funds for ChildAid, an annual fundraising concert jointly organised by The Business Times and The Straits Times. Proceeds from ChildAid will go towards The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF) and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF).

Mrs Clara Lim-Tan, principal of CHIJ (Kellock), says, “This meaningful event provides our pupils with the platform to make a difference in the lives of others in bold and creative ways. With RWS coming on board this year as venue partner, I think that all the invited children are in for a real treat.”

Mr Alvin Tay, editor of The Business Times and chairman of BT BAF board of trustees, says, “Many children from disadvantaged backgrounds face difficult situations every day. We would like these children to set aside their worries this Children’s Day and join us for a memorable and fun-filled experience at Universal Studios Singapore®.”

Ms Lynn Lee, RWS Corporate Social Responsibility Co-ordinator, says, “We are pleased to partner The Business Times Budding Artists Fund this year as the venue for Children for Children at Resorts World Sentosa. The Business Times has been at the forefront of corporate responsibility, an inspiration to many of us in the corporate world.  Resorts World Sentosa has reached out to over 2,500 underprivileged kids, youths and social workers since 2008, two years before our opening. As our business continues to grow, we strive to bring hope and inspiration to many more children from needy families.’’

Now into its fourth year, Children for Children has hosted more than 3,000 children at popular attractions such as the Singapore Flyer (2008), the Singapore Zoo (2009) and Underwater World Singapore (2010). Since 2008, this event has raised more than $675,000. The organisers hope to raise $300,000 this year.

Mr Colin Goh, CEO of The Old Parliament House Limited which manages The Arts House and BT BAF, says, “We are committed to enriching lives through arts and cultural initiatives. With one of our goals centred on building creative communities, we hope that Children for Children would be the platform to spark off the interest of these children in the arts, and in time to come, that their lives be transformed by the arts.”

Adds Mr Tay: “Children for Children encapsulates the virtuous cycle of giving and sharing between the larger community and the underprivileged that has made The Business Times Budding Artists Fund a success since its launch in 2005. We hope to help these children to rediscover their childhood innocence and creativity, and remind them that society remembers and cares for them.”

Children for Children 2011 at Resorts World Sentosa takes place on 7 October and is open to all primary school children with monthly household incomes below $1800. The organisers are seeking to collaborate with individuals and corporate organisations to raise funds for this worthy cause. Interested partners can contact BT BAF at enquirieslaa@toph.com.sg. For more information on BT BAF, please visit www.baf.sg .

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The Business Times Budding Artists Fund

Launched by The Old Parliament House Ltd (a not-for-profit enterprise committed to enriching lives through arts and cultural initiatives) and adopted by The Business Times in 2005, The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF) originated from a conviction that no child with strong interest and potential in the arts should be deprived of the opportunity to develop his or her talents due to a lack of financial resources. The BT BAF encourages the development of creativity amongst the young and is critical in providing opportunities for disadvantaged children to discover hidden artistic talents and to develop their self-worth. Since 2005, the BT BAF has reached out to more than 7,000 disadvantaged children between the ages of five and 12 years through a variety of programmes comprising arts camps, workshops, and signature performance events. From 1 October 2010, the BT BAF has extended its reach to economically disadvantaged youths who are between 13 and 19 years of age. For more information on BT BAF, please visit www.baf.sg.

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The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund

The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund was initiated on Children’s Day (October 1) in 2000 by The Straits Times, with the objective of heightening public awareness of the plight of children from low-income families who were attending school without proper breakfast, or pocket money to sustain their day in school.

It aims to ease the financial burden faced by parents in providing for their children’s education. At the same time, the funds will help children who are already facing difficulties in remaining in school to stay on. As the official fund-raiser, The Straits Times rallies support for the cause and appeals to the public for their donation to the fund. It collaborates with different partners, from corporate organisations to interested individuals for various fund-raising events.

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Resorts World

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), Singapore’s first integrated resort is located on the resort island of Sentosa.  Spanning 49 hectares, the resort has welcomed over 15 million visitors since it opened in January 2010.   RWS is home to the region’s first-and-only Universal Studios theme park, a casino, luxurious accommodation in four unique hotels, the Resorts World Convention Center, celebrity chef restaurants as well as specialty retail outlets. The resort also offers entertainment ranging from its resident theatrical circus spectacular Voyage de la Vie, to public attractions such as the Crane Dance and the Lake of Dreams.  Resorts World Sentosa is currently developing the second phase of the Resort.  Upon completion, RWS will open the Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium, the Marine Life Park, a destination spa and two additional hotels. Resorts World Sentosa is wholly owned by Genting Singapore, a company of the Genting Group.

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Singapore’s arts and cultural scene needs you!

Make a difference to our arts and cultural scene by supporting us!

To make a contribution and truly make a real difference, take part in The Big Arts Give.

For the week of The Big Arts Give (27 Jun – 3 Jul), start donating generously to us through give2arts.sg and see how your contribution will help us continue to give you our very best.

Also visit The Business Times Budding Artists Fund webpage on give2arts.sg to learn more about what we do and to donate to us.

Imagine the difference you will make. Visit www.give2arts.sg to be part of The Big Arts Give and spread the word!

About The Big Arts Give
The Big Arts Give is a nationwide donation campaign initiated by the Arts & Culture Development (ACDO) and will run from 27 June – 3 July. This is the first time over 80 non-profit and charitable cultural organisations in Singapore are coming together to champion a donation drive of such scale for arts and culture. Through this campaign, ACDO hopes to encourage public donations to the cultural organisations on listed the cultural philanthropy portal, give2arts.sg, and to raise awareness of the values and transformative powers of arts and culture.

About give2arts.sg

The first of its kind in Asia, give2arts.sg allows donors to conveniently donate online via credit card to their preferred beneficiary or to a general arts and cultural development fund. give2arts.sg also lists exciting cultural activities and lets volunteers sign-up for activities with arts and cultural organisations based on individual interests and skills.

In its quest for the best way of training its agents, an insurance company once divided its new cohort into 3 groups. The first group was given 3 months of formal training before being sent to the field by themselves. The second group was assigned a mentor each and they had to make customer calls with the mentor for the next 12 months without any training. The last group had to make customer calls with the mentor for the 1st 3 months before receiving 1 month of formal training and then sent back to the field by themselves. At the end of the year when the sales output of the 3 groups were tabulated and compared, it was the 3rd group that did the best, by far.

Learning efficiency increases if we have already experienced first hand the issues that courses are attempting to teach us. In the same way, as young adults, children also need the context of why they are learning something before they can fully appreciate what they are learning. And the best way of getting context is to experience it for themselves.

Like most new parents, I have been guilty of sending my children for formal music courses at well established schools with only an abstract notion (or wistful hope) that they can pick up some music “sense”. These courses would invariably sit the kids (and parents) in front of the instrument while trying to get them to learn solfège, sight read and play music scores. That is, after all, what we, as parents, have come to expect because that is what we think we paid for. Unfortunately, not every kid can be little Mozarts, and after many unhappy episodes of threats and yelling in trying to make them practice at home, many kids would lose interest in the very thing we had wanted them to acquire. It is difficult to understand why one has to work so hard at playing some classical pieces just for an obscure exam.

I had tried both class-based and individual lessons for my 4yo daughter without much success. She was just disinterested in music lessons and it became a chore for us to try to get her to practice at home. We had pretty much given up on her ever mastering any musical instrument when we heard of the newly set up The Little Arts Academy (LAA) down in PoMo (the fully revitalised ex-Paradiz Centre). From its brochures, it promised to provide a multi-disciplinary arts curriculum including Music, Dance, Theatre, Visual Arts, Digital Media and Culinary Arts.

As we were looking for an alternative for my daughter’s ballet classes since her previous school had moved due to the renovation of Katong Mall, an all-in-one centre was a dream come true for us. The first visit sealed it for us. Occupying the whole of the 5th floor of the building, LAA is a sprawling, clean and brightly-colored expanse of pure kid fun.

On both sides of a long corridor are rooms vibrating and oozing all kinds of kid-friendly activities. There was a kitchen for cooking lessons, classrooms for story telling, photography, art and calligraphy lessons, and music rooms and recording studios full of keyboards for guitar, drums, and of course, piano lessons.

And it is parent-friendly too, with a large lobby, sofas and my favorite: 2 huge mushroom sofa couches for parents to rest our tired bums while waiting for our kids (assuming we behave ourselves, of course). In any case, there are plenty of cafes for parents to park themselves throughout Pomo.

We signed up for the ballet lessons promptly, but were hesitant when it came to signing up for the piano lessons, given our earlier failed attempts. However, the draw of a back-to-back arrangement which allowed my daughter to attend the music lesson immediately after her ballet lesson was too much for us to resist, so we registered for that too.

It turned out to be excellent decision. As a not-for-profit outreach initiative by The Arts House (of The Old Parliament House), LAA is staffed with highly skilled, experienced and caring professionals driven by their passion to provide equal opportunity education in the arts. It’s not about the money. All their staff believe in the organisation’s goal of giving every child a stage to perform. That is raison d’être of performance arts. The chance to perform in front of a large life audience is reason enough to motivate anyone to put in that extra effort in seeking excellence.

As a co-organiser of marquee events such as ChildAid and various performances and events at The Art House, LAA is not short of avenues for their students to exercise their talents. But what is most compelling is the noble vision of the organisation – that art is to be experienced and enjoyed by everyone, and not just the domain of the elite and the talented. In the spirit of meritocracy, there is no lack of opportunities to shine for student in LAA who aspire for excellence. Doors are always open to those who are willing to put in the effort. The support from the Business Times Budding Artists Fund allows LAA to make this a reality.

In short, my daughter could play about 5 complete pieces of children pop songs by the end of the 3rd lesson and she looked forward to playing them at home each day. She even had a mini performance at the World Book Fair at the end of 2 months with LAA. To us, that’s an amazing achievement given that she could hardly play her scales when she first started. For her ballet, she had performed at one of the YOG events in Suntec City, and also participated in Tollins, a LAA production held at The Art House last December.

No, my daughter is neither a music prodigy nor a natural-born dance talent. But the deep interest, pride and seriousness with which she conducts her training make it worth our effort of sending her for her lessons in LAA. And the smile of pure joy and accomplishment that she flashes at the end of each performance is simply – priceless.

This article was originally published at http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/little-arts-academy.