W
hilst art and charity aren’t
often viewed together
like paint and canvas,
Yorkshire-born art collector
Howard Bilton changed that in 2003
by establishing The Sovereign Art
Foundation (SAF) in Hong Kong. Howard
realised a long-held dream to use art to
help disadvantaged children across the
region.
Today, SAF runs a number of
contemporary art competitions around
the world, including two prizes in Hong
Kong, one in Europe, two in the Middle
East and others being established this
year.
Since the inaugural Sovereign Asian
Art Prize, SAF has organised 30 gala and
exhibition events worldwide – 16 in Hong
Kong, four in London, four in Singapore,
one in Korea, one in South Africa and one
each in Istanbul, Bahrain, Johannesburg
and Shanghai – and, as a result, has
raised in excess of US$4.5 million for
needy children.
SAF’s portfolio of social responsibility
projects ranges from art empowerment
programmes for Vietnam’s most
vulnerable kids, a music and arts
programme for orphaned or
abandoned children in Mongolia’s
capital, Ulaanbaatar, creative arts
healing projects for Cambodian human
trafficking victims, a weekend arts
programme for underprivileged Hong
Kong youngsters, to a pilot project in rural
Nepal raising awareness of children’s
rights. Often those involved are victims
of human trafficking, hard labour, sexual
abuse, drugs or violence. The Foundation
uses art to rehabilitate, build self-
confidence and encourage their return
to education.
“There are countless charities
out there doing incredible work for
disadvantaged children by providing the
basic necessities, such as food, shelter
and medicine. We try to offer children
something many charities don’t, and
that is the gift of renewed hope…and joy.
Picking up a crayon or paintbrush, and
losing themselves in a world of creativity
is something these children deserve, but
haven’t been free to do in a long time.
They are reminded of the simplicity and
innocence of childhood, it brings a smile
to their face,” said Lauren Cameron,
SAF’s manager.
Heartwarmingly, some of the
kids assisted by early projects are
returning as teachers, several have
established businesses, whilst others
have reintegrated happily into society.
“With the public’s assistance we believe
we have made a real difference to the
communities in which we operate,”
Howard added.
Hunter Ho (Ho Chu Hang), a student
in 2015’s Make It Better Summer
Programme, feels the experience so
transformed his life – physically, mentally
and even spiritually – he’s keen to join
again this summer and recommends it to
friends.
Michelle Price, journalist and
volunteer, believes that the activities, arts
and crafts in the Summer Programme
workshop in which she was involved
encouraged self-discovery, improvement
and empowerment – “critical concepts
for young adults that have lived most
of their lives on the periphery and
may suffer from feelings of exclusion or
alienation”.
You don’t need to be artistic to transform
a child’s life! It’s easy to donate, sponsor a
workshop, become a patron or volunteer
for the local Make It Better project. Visit
or
email
for details. Alternatively, buy a ticket or
host a table at the 2016 Gala Dinner and
Art Auction on 3 June.
advice
The Sovereign Art Foundation helps disadvantaged
children using the arts as rehabilitation, education
and therapy.
Gillian Johnston
finds out more.
Artistic
assistance
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