OUR SPECIALTY:

Creatively handmade items such as mosaic photo frames and artwork, decorative glassware and Saori handweaved products.

THE INNOVATION:

Artistique Sync. is part of the Idea Employment Development Centre under the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS). There, artisans – intellectually challenged beneficiaries from MINDS – are given training in areas of arts and crafts and are also provided with employment opportunities. They are now masters at glass painting, dotting, mosaic work and Saori handweaving. Artwork from Artistic Sync. is handmade by each artisan to his or her personal style and no two pieces are the same.

Through employment, MINDS hopes to help its beneficiaries integrate into the society with the aims of improving their quality of life and self-esteem. Proceeds from the sales of artwork by Artistique Sync’s artisans goes to provide an allowance for trainees and helps to supplement their daily essentials such as meals and transport as well. There are currently about 40 intellectually disabled persons employed under MINDS’s projects, alongside with dedicated staff who supervise the growth and profitability of the social enterprise.

BRIEF BACKGROUND:

Set up in 1962, the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) is Singapore’s largest voluntary welfare organisation (VWO). The VWO caters to people who are intellectually challenged with its four special schools, three employment development centres, three day training and development centres and a multi-service residential home.