“The liberal practices and cross-disciplinary problem-solving being cultivated at Yale nurtured my critical generosity for experimentation, embracing multi-art forms, and seeing the potential in what Art can achieve for humankind.”

— Ian Leung, 2019 HKETO-NY Arts Activator

Professional Development and Yale Mentorship

Yale-China pairs each fellow with a faculty mentor at Yale to help guide Fellows as they develop their projects and deepen their connections. Mentors and Fellows identify growth areas together and build a strong relationship over the course of the fellowship period. Yale-China encourages Fellows to seek peer and advisory relationships over the course of the period, in addition to the mentorship.

Arts Activators have a focus on pursuing conversations and relationships that best fit their growth area and professional projects. Because of this focus, they have a second mentor - a senior leader in the Hong Kong arts community, who helps advocate for the Fellow’s engagement beyond the Fellowship, consults on projects, and advises on project implementation upon the Fellow’s return to Hong Kong.

Vibrant and Knowledgeable Community

Fellows activate conversations in new spaces, awaking a curiosity for Hong Kong culture and arts throughout the Yale and New Haven communities. Beyond the student, faculty, and local communities of New Haven, Fellows reach a broader public and network through travel. Visits to arts hubs such as San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Boston, and Louisville, Fellows meet industry experts, practitioners, artists, and other thought leaders to promote their projects as well as expand their U.S. network.

Past Fellows have benefited from observing new or different ways of engaging community, developing a more interactive arts education platform, and building audience. Other areas of interest may include technology, sustainability, entrepreneurship, public service, and social change. Fellows in turn exchange conversations about methods and programs that have succeeded in bringing people together over art in Hong Kong.

Eligibility

Applicants must be:

Proficient in English
a Hong Kong permanent resident with eligibility for United States visa
Able to spend six months in United States (January 2021-June 2021)
Available for a 45-minute interview
Able to articulate the importance of bridging cultures
Sensitive to cultural differences and ability to adapt to foreign or unexpected situations
Mature and able to reflect on experiences
Familiar with Hong Kong and Mainland China art districts and projects

Emerging leaders in artistic direction, curation, producing, program or project management, and marketing (3-5 years experience) with an intent to pursue a long-term career in Hong Kong are encouraged to apply.

The application for the 2020-21 Arts Activator Fellowship has passed.

Yale-China Arts Activators

The Yale-China Arts Activator Fellowship is a exceptional opportunity for Hong Kong based arts curators and managers to engage with and learn from the many resources and people of Yale University and New Haven. Arts Activators have the opportunity to not only curate and practice different art forms in New Haven but collaborate with people of all ages and walks of life as they strengthen their global networks.

Global Collaboration and Partnership

Arts Activators are ambassadors for Hong Kong culture and arts as they create projects and art that showcases the depth and talent of Hong Kong while including specialties from the local New Haven culture. By integrating Hong Kong culture into American culture, Arts Activators create projects that are a unique blend that allows everyone involved to experience something different and fun. Arts Activators share their projects at the International Festival of Arts & Ideas in June at the end of their Fellowship.

“Activators change the way we think. They give us hope by shining light on the unexpected and the new.”

— Annie Lin, Director of Arts Programs

Resources

All Fellows receive the following support:

living stipend (USD$1,000/month)
project, travel, and activities funds (totaling USD$6,000)
housing and utilities
roundtrip airfare and domestic transfers
special events tickets
logistics support, including visas
arrival orientation
cultural outings
ambassador families
check-in meetings with advisers (Yale-China and the Festival)
mid-program retreat
service-learning workshops and project
mentorship
support for your capstone presentation or performance

Note: Some support may change due to travel restrictions, social distancing, or other health and safety measures put in place by Yale University, the City of New Haven, and the State of Connecticut due to COVID-19.

Meet our current Fellows in Education, Health, and the Arts

This program is made possible by a partnership with the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, New York, the International Festival of Arts & Ideas in New Haven, and the Yale School of Drama.