Founder & Teacher

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In 2017, as a graduate student with teaching experience and a passion for arts and design, I proposed an initiative to promote equitable access to arts education for children. My proposal was accepted by the committee of the College/University Student Startup Program sponsored by the local government of Jiamusi—my hometown, a small and remote city in northeastern China where children often lack opportunities to explore the arts.

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With the support of the local government, which provided free training facilities and facilitated partnerships with organizations such as Children’s Palace (one of the most influential NGOs in China) and Jiamusi University (connecting me with university student volunteers), I founded Passion Art Design Studio (PADS).

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PADS offered a range of art classes for children, including thematic design workshops and drawing lessons, with a dual mission: fostering creativity and promoting educational equity. Free classes were specifically designed for children from low-income families, while revenue from paid classes was reinvested to sustain the studio's operational costs. This collaborative model not only broadened access to quality art education but also empowered volunteers and partners to make a meaningful impact.

 

The initiative united a passionate team of two teachers and eight university student volunteers, collaborating to deliver meaningful and accessible art education. In 2018, Passion Art Design Studio (PADS) gained local recognition when it was featured on local TV and social media news, showcasing its significant contributions to the community. Despite its success, PADS was ultimately forced to close in 2020 after 2 years and 5 months of operation, due to financial pressures and the unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Read more about Yanyao Cui's interview with the Jiamusi Human Resources and Social Security Bureau at this link: https://www.sohu.com/a/298134587_776973