Empower creativity over disability

With access to arts education and professional development, non-profit organisation helps...

- VIVIEN ANG AND SHREEDHEE SAJEEV

Being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of five has not stopped Sky Shen from pursuing his interest in music.

The 29-year-old recently released his extended play (EP) record, titled Wheel You Love Me?, which he said is about his experiences in life.

"I found that people tend to view persons with disabilities a certain way that excludes them from areas of life, including dating," he said.

"When I did finally experience a dating relationship, I was faced with unique challenges such as a power imbalance in the relationship, people's attitudes, and the limited ability to access and navigate spaces independently."

Shen recorded his music at ART:DIS @ Bukit Merah, a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing equal access arts education and professional development in the arts for persons with disabilities. Formerly known as Very Special Arts Singapore, ART:DIS started in 1993 and opened its third location at Bukit Merah in October 2022.

Ms Angela Tan, executive director of ART:DIS, said: "Today, ART:DIS empowers over 450 persons with disabilities through our various arts programmes and developmental pathways."

Companies such as Singapore Pools paid for the renovation cost of the centre in Bukit Merah to create a professionally equipped and disability-friendly space.