Make The Change: Digital Arts for All

Bringing creative ideas to life – participants and facilitators at the Digital Arts for All workshop.

What if picking up an iPad could spark not just creativity, but also courage and confidence?

For many seniors and persons with disabilities (PwDs), learning digital skills can feel intimidating—a distant dream reserved for the tech-savvy. But through Digital Arts for All (DAFA), a heartfelt initiative by Make The Change supported by the Digital for Life Fund, that dream is being transformed into a vibrant, shared reality.

Created to empower seniors and PwDs, this inclusive programme combines digital art training with essential digital wellness concepts. Through engaging hands-on workshops, participants use iPads, Apple Pencils, and the Procreate app to bring their ideas to life, while learning to stay safe, smart, and kind online.

Digital Arts for All is more than just a workshop. It’s a safe, supportive space where participants not only express themselves creatively, but also gain essential digital skills for everyday life; such as recognising scams, understanding their digital footprint, and practising kindness online.

Facilitator and participant engaged in a focused yet cheerful discussion during the workshop.

From Digital Drawing to Digital Confidence

At first glance, the programme may appear to be a typical art class, but its approach is far from ordinary. Every session is carefully crafted to teach both technical art skills and media literacy through the lens of creativity.

Participants are introduced to the basics of digital illustration. They learn how to work with layers, draw using simple shapes, and eventually animate their creations into GIFs that promote themes like cyber safety, digital kindness, and media discernment. These artistic expressions are based on the Media Literacy Council’s “Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Kind” framework, making every creation a personal interpretation of a broader public education effort.

“What inspired the Digital Arts for All project was our desire to make it interesting for the participants,” said Siti Nabilah Tai, Community Engagement & Partnerships Senior Executive at Make The Change. “That’s why we combined digital drawing with media literacy training. To add a little more fun, we taught the students how to create an animated GIF to share with their loved ones and promote media literacy at the same time.”

Indeed, it’s this integration of form and function that makes the programme so impactful. Participants not only learn how to draw, they also discover how digital tools can serve as both a canvas for creativity and a compass for navigating the online world.

Using a stylus and tablet for the first time, a participant brings his vivid imagination to life through digital illustration.

Tailored for Different Needs

No two participants are alike, and the Digital Arts for All team recognises that. Each workshop is thoughtfully adapted based on the participants’ backgrounds, needs, and abilities.

For instance, in sessions with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (Singapore) (MDAS), the programme is customised for younger participants. The content developed is youth-oriented, and iPads are configured to leverage accessibility features like AssistiveTouch and voice input, making digital creation easier for individuals with limited mobility.

“The MDAS members are incredibly inspiring,” Nabilah shared. “They’re eager to learn, always willing to share, and bring a level of joy that’s contagious. Despite facing real challenges, including shorter life expectancies, they pour themselves into the workshops with enthusiasm and openness.”

For seniors, the workshops are structured at a suitable pace and made more relevant through real-life examples, such as recognising scam emails or learning when and how to block messages from suspicious sources. Language is kept simple, and sessions are tailored to meet participants’ learning needs.

This attention to inclusivity ensures that everyone, regardless of ability or age, can participate meaningfully. It also reinforces the programme’s core message: that everyone has the ability to learn new skills and be empowered through digital technology.

A Moment of Transformation

One of the most memorable stories from the programme took place during a workshop with a group of seniors. A participant, hesitant and self-conscious, declared at the start, “I’ve never even used an iPad. I don’t think I can do this.”

Yet by the end of the session, she had drawn and animated a beautiful thank-you card for her grandchildren—complete with sparkles and a hand-drawn message. Seeing her finished artwork brought tears to her eyes.

“She said, ‘I didn’t know I could still learn something new at this age,’” Nabilah recalled. “It was one of those moments that remind us why we do this.”

Stories like these are not uncommon. Another participant, a young person from MDAS, proudly shared his animated GIF created during the workshop to spread positive online safety messages with his peers. Moments like this show how creativity can help reinforce important digital habits and encourage thoughtful sharing among participants.

Engaged and ready to learn, participants dive into a fun, hands-on session on safe online habits and digital art tools.

Building Confidence Against Online Risks

Beyond creativity, Digital Arts for All plays a critical role in addressing real-world online risks faced by vulnerable groups.

Many seniors and PWDs are more susceptible to scams, misinformation, and online harassment, often due to limited exposure to the evolving digital landscape. The programme actively counters this by embedding essential digital safety lessons into every workshop. Participants learn how to identify phishing scams, spot fake social media accounts, and understand the importance of setting privacy settings.

“We had participants who didn’t realise they were at risk of online scams until they joined our workshop,” said Nabilah. “Now, they know how to protect themselves and they share their knowledge with family and friends.”

The impact of this knowledge transfer is profound. What begins as a drawing activity ends with real-life change, as participants leave equipped not just with digital skills but also with the confidence to navigate an increasingly connected world.

Powered by Purpose

Since its inception, Digital Arts for All has conducted many sessions, reaching out to a myriad of participants. The programme has grown steadily—but not without the support of partners.

The Digital for Life Fund has been instrumental in sustaining and scaling the initiative. As many of the social service agencies (SSAs) involved have limited budgets, the Fund helps cover essential costs such as trainer fees, materials, and accessibility tools.

This financial support ensures the team can focus on what matters most: creating memorable learning experiences and expanding the programme to reach even more communities across Singapore.

Joining Hands for a More Inclusive Future

Looking forward, Make The Change hopes to bring Digital Arts for All to even more organisations, with a special callout for corporate and community partners who are willing to host or support future workshops. The team is also actively seeking volunteers who can lend a hand during sessions—whether through technical support, participant guidance, or simply offering a smile of encouragement.

“There’s always room for more hearts and hands,” the team said. “Anyone can be a part of this journey.”

For participants, the workshop may last only a few hours—but the memories, skills, and confidence gained can last a lifetime.

A Stroke of Empowerment

Digital Arts for All is more than a digital workshop. It’s a celebration of what happens when creativity meets compassion, and when digital tools are placed in the hands of those often left behind. It’s about rewriting the narrative of who gets to participate in the digital age—and showing that with the right guidance and belief, anyone can create, connect, and thrive.

As one participant summed it up: “I never thought I could make something so beautiful. Now, I can’t wait to do more.”