Singapore Pools collaborates with ART:DIS to empower people with disabilities through the arts

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 bore testament to 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. 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 to 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.

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 funded the renovation cost of the centre in Bukit Merah to create a professionally equipped and disability-friendly space.

Lam Chee Weng, chief executive officer (CEO) of Singapore Pools, said: “Our support for ART:DIS started since 2018, and this latest collaboration is in line with Singapore Pools’ aim to make an impactful difference within the community. We hope this centre is a space where members of the disabled community can pursue their artistic talents to realise their aspirations through arts. It is heartwarming to know that many of the artists with ART:DIS have continued on to achieve much, both locally and abroad.”

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The CEO added: “It’s wonderful to see how ART:DIS has helped artistes like Sky Shen develop his artistic talent and contribute to the creative scene in Singapore.”

Shen said: “I believe it is important to have platforms to showcase the voices of PWDs (persons with disabilities) because it can help to share stories and life experiences that are underrepresented, and help people understand vulnerable communities better.”

The singer-songwriter has received numerous accolades. He was awarded the SPD Youth Aspiration Award for performing arts, and was given the chance to attend the Lee Wei Song School of Music.

However, the National University of Singapore graduate was discovered at Sunburst, a fundraising concert organised by CapitaLand and The Business Times for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (Singapore) and students in need from the School of the Arts.

At the concert, he was scouted by the head of performing arts and artistic development at ART:DIS, Peter Sau.

Shen then went on to audition for a new two-year performing arts industry training programme, called “Beyond Dis:play”.

The rest, as they say, is history.

“The mentors at ART:DIS encouraged me to dream bigger, and to produce my original compositions into completed songs. This eventually led to the conceptualisation and release of my EP album,” said Shen.

With the support from companies such as Singapore Pools, ART:DIS is now better equipped to support artistes with disabilities in their professional development, as the space enables them to test-bed their own productions and empowers them to create their own content.

Shen is just one beneficiary of such a collaboration.

Singapore Pools CEO Lam said that such safe spaces for vulnerable groups allow them to learn new skills at their own pace and empower them with knowledge and confidence.

When asked about the company’s future plans in the corporate social responsibility segment, he added: “We will continue to collaborate and support social service agencies and charities to uplift the community and create a positive impact.”

Shen, whose interest in music was sparked through video games, said: “Good music and sound design can help to bring a world to life, and make stories more emotional. I am currently working on my next EP, The Little Critters, and the songs will discuss mental wellness. I visualise mental illnesses as ‘little critters’ we can learn to cope and live with.”

“I am excited to go on more artistic adventures in this space.”