About Pojie Arts Pojie Arts makes performance and delivers professional arts training to young people and adults with and without disabilities in China. Since Pojie Arts was founded at the end of 2012, the creative team has delivered regular dance-based projects to young people and artists, reaching over 2000 people. We aim to engage in rights advocacy; creating opportunities for self-advocacy within communities of people with disabilities. We also aim to enrich the dance scene in China and to support people with disabilities to gain creative skills and life skills through creative projects. We are unique in delivering inclusive, cross-arts workshops and performances with a focus on dance movement. We believe in using the arts to facilitate creative expression, empowerment and transformation whilst maintaining a focus on professional performance outcomes.
Past and current collaborators and partners Handicap International, Huiling: Centre for Adults with intellectual Disabilities, China Snails Network, Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art (UCCA), Auckland University, Beijing Dance Academy, Central Academy of Fine Art Museum (CAFAM), Epic Arts (UK), Design Republic (Shanghai), Studio X (Columbia University), Pengcheng Special Education School, Qiyin Experimental School for the Deaf, Beijing School for the Blind, China Dolls; Centre for Rare Diseases, Beijing Union University, Western Academy Beijing (WAB), Today Art Gallery, Angel House.
What people are saying about Pojie...
"This was a reminder to everyone, myself included, of what is truly good and important in the world. So good to show people what it really means to dance and to be free". (Audience member)
“I thought all our students could do was to copy, I thought this was best for them. I see now that they can do many things, anything!” (Teacher at Pengcheng Special Education School, during training)
"I was deeply moved and amazed by the performance, this is true art." (Audience member)
"This activity has not only benefited my son. As a matter of fact, all the participants have improved enormously. Each person's coordination and their mental outlook has changed a lot. I just want to say that I hope that these workshops can continue for a long time, so that our children can benefit more." (Mother of a participant with a disability)
“POJIE ARTS’ concept is completely new to us, it is very fresh and very moving.The facilitators find what really drives each student and they create a safe and happy environment. From there, together, we make something wonderful. This concept is not only useful for creating performance, but can be extended to be used in all our teaching, in other areas of development, other areas of life.” (Angel House member of staff)
“When we participated in the POJIE ARTS event, the person I care for grew in confidence…… As if, at last, she was able to express her real feelings." (Carer for a participant with a disability)
“The workshops promote the development of the students’ cognitive skills, motor skills and coordination, it is possible to see how this can be extended further.” (Teacher from Pengcheng Special Education School - final evaluation).
"Some of the audience actually said it was one of the best things they'd even watched in their lives! In the art world of Beijing that's a huge compliment". (Transmigrant Flow)
“It’s not that Pojie comes here to teach, the crucial thing is that Pojie artists bring the tools for the participants to explore themselves. This is the start of human understanding; I’m not coming here to follow your instruction but I am me, I come here to find out who I am, with you” (Beijing Huiling member of staff)
“In the past we could only get one particular student to imitate simple movements. But POJIE ARTS’ facilitators continued to be really enthusiastic, they watched her movement and her body for the creative ‘flash point’. Regardless of style, in spite of each student’s needs and difficulties, POJIE ARTS’ facilitators see the strengths of every student, they can draw artistic expression out of anyone. And they do this with respect and care about each student's feelings and actions.” (Angel House member of staff)