Participants in Opening Doors workshops. Photo: Alexander Sobolla

Opening Doors, an NGO active in engaging adults with learning disabilities in the artistic and creative sector, is currently gearing up for an international arts festival taking place next week.

Like a lot of other non-governmental organisations, Opening Doors relies on funding and public support.

Collaborating and funding opportunities has seen it grow from strength to strength since its inception in 2011 by Louise Ghirlando following a five-year development project by centre for creativity St James Cavalier.

The organisation’s growing number of members is testimony to this as Opening Doors recognises the strength in using the arts to encourage learning, growth and of course have fun along the way.

Its remit encourages the promotion and active involvement in the arts and also to raise the profile of its members and encourage their contribution in the creative sector.

Members look forward to the sessions which now comprise both theatre and dance workshops on a weekly basis. And the opportunities offered to the same members have been many.

When asked what Opening Doors means to them, these are some of the replies: “I can show my capabilities”, “Drama makes me happy”, “Dance rocks” and “This is the road to friendship”.

Along the years, members have performed in various productions like L-Iljun Ikkonvertit, It-Tifel and Is-Saħħara u l-Prinċipessa among many others.

Participants have learnt to do props, explore music, develop storylines through improvisation and gain confidence to tackle various socially themed issues which resonate.

In the performance Bejn it-Triq u Jien, Opening Doors presented a production that was inclusively devised and performed furthur exploring global thoughts on communication.

Participants have learnt to do props, explore music, develop storylines

These productions would not have been possible without the constant support from entities like St James Cavalier, Centre for Creativity and funding from structures like Il-Premju tal-President għall-Kreattivita and Malta Arts Fund.

Opening Doors also has a set of dedicated volunteers who offer their time, energy and support from week to week. Some students have even conducted their placements with the group.

But that is not all. In the past years, Opening Doors achieved funding to participate in a programme called Art-is, a European partnership with seven other organisations.

This has allowed members of Opening Doors to travel to various participating countries, where they have shared ideas with other artists whose profile addresses the inclusion of people with disabilities in the creative field.

This has also allowed them the opportunity to perform to international audiences.

The experience offered is beyond doubt a huge learning opportunity.

This international collaboration, which has spread over two years, is about to culminate in a disability arts festival when members from the participating countries – Poland, Belgium, Spain, Finland, and the UK will descend on Malta as St James Cavalier becomes a buzz of activity, the space giving way to workshops, video screenings as well as a collaborative performance devised and performed by all participating artists.

What is perhaps fundamental with Opening Doors is that it has never rested on its laurels for too long. It is constantly reaching out, transforming and growing.

Its board, made up of people from the creative arts has recently expanded with artistic direction in the hands of dancer and choreographer Sandra Mifsud who, since last year, also runs the dance sessions for its members.

The obvious way forward is to further strengthen existing collaborations as well as make new ones and to keep on providing exciting creative learning opportunities for all.

A music group is already in the pipeline for the new season.

The Opening Doors festival takes place on Friday, Saturday and next Sunday at St James Cavalier, Valletta.

www.openingdoorsmalta.org