Unleashing Creativity of B40 children
through Art Workshops

From April to June 2022, UPLIFT (Pertubuhan Bangkit), in collaboration with the SKILLS CLUB, hosted a series of ART WORKSHOPS for children from the B40 community across several locations in Malaysia. This initiative sought to inspire creativity, nurture artistic talent and encourage holistic brain development among children aged 5 to 15. The workshops were part of UPLIFT’s larger mission to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), with a particular focus on fostering creativity and innovation as crucial skills for personal and professional development.

Locations and Participation

The workshops took place across various locations in the Klang Valley and Negeri Sembilan, with a focus on engaging children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The following sessions were held:

• 10th April 2022: Pertubuhan Chitramuthu Ganapathy Asramam Bahau – 25 participants
• 17th April 2022: Bilik Aktiviti Persatuan, PPR Flats, Kepong – 18 participants
• 27th May 2022: SJKT Ladang Air Hitam, Bahau – 53 participants
• 28th May 2022: Pertubuhan Chitramuthu Ganapathy Asramam Bahau – 35 participants
• 4th June 2022: Bilik Aktiviti Persatuan, PPR Flats, Kepong – 20 participants
• 11th June 2022: ABC Camp, Janda Baik – 40 participants

In total, the workshops engaged over 190 children from B40 communities, providing them with an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of drawing and coloring, while also developing critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.

Objective of the ART WORKSHOP

The primary goals of the workshops were:

1. Teaching the basics of drawing and colouring: The children were introduced to fundamental artistic techniques, allowing them to express their creativity through drawing and coloring.
2. Identifying artistic potential: The workshops aimed to discover children with a natural talent for art and offer them opportunities to further develop their skills.
3. Encouraging creativity and innovation: The workshops instilled the principles of creativity and innovation, teaching children to think outside the box and explore new ways of interpreting the world around them.
4. Promoting whole-brain thinking: Through art, children were encouraged to engage both sides of the brain, fostering analytical and imaginative skills simultaneously.

Breaking Away from Tradition

One of the key messages conveyed during the workshops was the importance of “breaking away from the old.” The children were taught to challenge traditional ways of thinking, such as the standard way houses or objects are drawn. They were encouraged to explore new perspectives, step out of their comfort zones and embrace unique ideas.

For example, rather than drawing houses the way they’ve always been drawn—simple squares with triangle roofs—the children were asked to reimagine how houses could look, how they could use different shapes and how these shapes could be rendered in 3D. The goal was to foster their ability to observe and analyse, skills that are crucial not just in art but in problem-solving and decision-making.

Fostering Skills for the Future

The ART WORKSHOP was designed to go beyond art itself. The lessons learned during these sessions have a much broader application, including enhancing observation, analysis and critical thinking—skills that are essential in both academic and real-world settings.

For many of these children, who may not have had access to formal art training, the workshops offered an exciting new way to express themselves. By teaching them to break away from traditional norms and see things from different perspectives, UPLIFT and the SKILLS CLUB are helping these young participants develop a mindset of innovation and adaptability—skills that will serve them well in the future.

Positive Outcomes and Future Engagement

The response from both the children and their communities has been overwhelmingly positive. Many of the participants demonstrated enthusiasm and a keen interest in continuing their exploration of art. Parents and community leaders have praised the initiative for providing the children with a constructive and creative outlet that can help them develop a wide range of life skills.

Moving forward, UPLIFT plans to expand the ART WORKSHOP series, providing more children from the B40 community with opportunities to discover their talents and refine their creative abilities. The initiative will also explore ways to engage students who show exceptional promise in art, offering them additional resources and mentorship to help them excel.

The ART WORKSHOP series represents a significant effort by UPLIFT to support the intellectual and creative development of children from underprivileged backgrounds. By nurturing creativity, fostering innovation and promoting whole-brain thinking, the workshops are helping to equip these children with the tools they need to navigate a rapidly changing world.

As UPLIFT continues to roll out initiatives like the ART WORKSHOP, the focus remains on empowering communities through education, creativity and skill development. These workshops are more than just lessons in drawing—they are stepping stones toward a future where children from all backgrounds have the confidence and skills to dream big and achieve great things.