Different Arts Centre

“Different Arts Centre act as a window of opportunity in identifying, training and refining the basic talents of differently abled children in various art forms”

The Academy of Magical Sciences (the Magic Academy) was established in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, in 1996 under the Cultural, Scientific and Charitable Institutions act 1955, for the promotion of magic and for empowering the underprivileged and vulnerable sections of the society through the medium of magic. 

Magic Academy has started its activities for the differently abled community in 2017 with the ‘Anuyatra’ program by Govt. of Kerala by providing magic training for 23 differently abled children and formed a team named ‘Mpower’. Now the Mpower team members are regular magic performers and they support their families with this. 

Inspired by the psychological and psychosocial changes seen in these Mpower children, the next initiative was put forward - Different Art Centre - world’s first comprehensive art centre for mentally challenged children. This initiative aims to make even better changes in the 100 selected differently abled children and their families on completion of their training. Once this initial task is accomplished, more differently abled children will be brought in and trained, thus making unprecedented changes not only in their family and themselves but also to the entire society in which they live in. 

The centre was established in 2019, in Thiruvananthapuram, that educates and empowers differently-abled children with various intellectual disabilities providing them training in magic and other art forms. The centre provides the opportunity to showcase their learned skills before a wide audience and they are receiving huge appreciation from the public visiting the centre that facilitates their emotional and mental development. Constant encouragement is sure to make changes in the attitude and behaviour of these children. 

Along with artistic development, DAC has formulated educational programs for these children, thereby ensuring their smooth passage into the mainstream of society. A Comprehensive learning centre “Inspira” has been designed to acquire the basic functionalities of learning such as Reading, Writing, Simple Mathematics, Language Development, Simple Sequences and Attention through sound as well as behavioral coaching. We are proud to say that the Different Art Centre is one and only of its own kind in the world that is built and developed for special children. The centre enabled them to stand on their own feet and support their families. 

Scientific studies by experts from Institute for Communicative and Cognitive Neuro Sciences (ICCONS) and Child Development Centre (CDC) underline improvement in their social and communicative skills and reduction in behavioural problems. 

The DAC was supported by well-wishers and supporters around the world. However, the Covid 19 pandemic has turned everything upside down and most of our supporters found it difficult to continue the support in these stringent financial circumstances. Most of the children are coming from poor financial conditions and the monthly stipend and food facilities for family members were really a boon for most of them. Now the centre is going through a severe crisis and struggling to find some financial help to support these children. 

Note: Those who contribute $500 or more (including any company match) will directly hear from DAC office. They may invite you/your family/friends to visit the campus to see the impact you have made among many differently abled kids. 

Companies usually match donations. When an employee makes a donation, they can request a matching from their employer. Company matching means that if you donate $10, your company will also donate $10 towards the cause. Companies usually match donations at a 1:1 ratio, but some will match at a 2:1, 3:1, or even a 4:1 ratio.

• Step 1: Login to your employer matching website such as Benevity.

• Step 2: Search for the non profit, "Care and Share". Please check to make sure it matches EIN 36-3708966 before making your donation

Disclaimer: All images featured on this page are courtesy of Different Art Centre (DAC). These images are provided by DAC and are used with permission. All rights to these images are reserved by Different Art Centre.