A groundbreaking roadmap for transforming schools into hubs of innovation and imagination

A New Chapter in Arts Education: AFTEC Launches “Evolving Creative Mindsets”

16 years of leadership distilled into a visionary guide for the city’s future

On October 28, 2025, Hong Kong’s arts education pioneer, AFTEC (The Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection), officially launched its highly anticipated book, Evolving Creative Mindsets: Thinking Through the Arts. Held at the iconic Fringe Club, the event gathered educators, policymakers, and cultural leaders to discuss how systemic change can elevate Hong Kong’s competitive edge through creative learning. The book, authored by AFTEC CEO Ms. Lynn Yau, arrives at a pivotal moment, amidst global calls for stronger creative skills highlighted by the OECD’s latest assessments.

Yau emphasizes that arts are often seen as peripheral but are, in fact, crucial for nurturing innovation. “We need to move away from siloed thinking and build a true ecosystem where creative mindsets can flourish,” she asserts. Her insights draw from over 16 years of frontline work, showcasing real-world case studies that demonstrate how arts integration can reshape Hong Kong’s educational landscape.

From Homework to Heart: The Personal Spark Behind a Visionary Change

An inspiring conversation with AFTEC’s CEO about her journey from curiosity to action

In an engaging interview, Ms. Yau shares the personal roots of her passion: her two nieces’ school experiences. “I looked at their homework and thought, these answers are not bad. Why did they not get marks?” she recalls. This curiosity fueled her deep dive into primary and secondary education reform, revealing the systemic focus on rote learning that stifles creativity. Growing up in a traditional Hong Kong schooling environment, Yau realized that nurturing imagination and empathy through arts was essential for future resilience, especially in a world of rapid technological change.

She reflects, “Harvard’s Project Zero in 2002/2003 transformed my thinking about inquiry-based learning. That single week inspired me to rethink how we motivate young people to learn.” Her conviction intensified as she saw action research as a tool to continuously refine her approach. “Every human is different; there’s no one answer,” she emphasizes, advocating for personalized, collaborative models of arts integration.

Building Creative Minds, Building a Better City

How arts foster well-being, resilience, and innovation in young people and professionals

Yau highlights the profound impact of creative learning on mental health and social-emotional well-being. She recounts how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, arts engagement helped vulnerable youth build resilience, citing international research and her own case studies. “It took a global pandemic to start this conversation,” she notes. Her work demonstrates that arts are not just for entertainment; they are vital for mental health, fostering empathy, self-expression, and community.

She also discusses the importance of role models, saying, “Artists and teachers must be trained together to cultivate trust and openness.” For example, her hospital collaboration with The University of Hong Kong’s medical faculty has successfully integrated arts into medical humanities, fostering empathy among future doctors.

Reimagining Schools and Spaces: From Passive Observation to Active Engagement

Transforming museums, theatres, and classrooms into creative learning environments

Yau advocates for dynamic “Sites of Creative Learning”; museums and performance venues that go beyond passive viewing to inspire inquiry and critical thinking. She envisions a future where such spaces become integral to everyday learning, helping students connect emotionally and intellectually with arts and culture.

Her blueprint emphasizes strategic human resource planning, proposing a “triumvirate” of audiences, schools, and practitioners to elevate Hong Kong as a global cultural hub. “Quality over quantity,” she insists, emphasizing sustainable investment in professionalized “Creative Practitioners” to ensure lasting impact.

Breaking Barriers: Debunking Myths and Overcoming Challenges in Arts Education

Time, mindset, and funding—her solutions to the biggest hurdles

When asked about key challenges, Ms. Yau pinpoints “time” as the greatest obstacle; schools are often too pressed for hours to prioritize arts. “If the curriculum can be reduced by 20-30%, kids could benefit from more holistic development,” she suggests. She also stresses the importance of cultivating open-mindedness among educators and policymakers.

Regarding funding, she emphasizes that AFTEC’s work is a long-term investment, with continuous data collection and action research underpinning every project. “Supporting AFTEC isn’t just funding a program; it’s nurturing a think tank for sustainable innovation,” she affirms.

A Vision for the Future: Growing the Creative Ecosystem Beyond Hong Kong

Expanding impact through training artists, influencing policies, and fostering cross-sector collaboration

Yau’s ultimate goal is to scale up arts integration across Hong Kong and beyond. She calls for more training for artists interested in education and urges government bureaus to recognize creative learning as foundational to social and economic development. “Singapore already leads in this,” she notes, citing their early adoption as a model.

She envisions a Hong Kong where creative thinking is embedded in every aspect of society; an adaptable, resilient city that maintains its competitive edge through the power of imagination and innovation.

Truly, Ms. Yau passionately invites the community to join her in this transformative journey: “The future starts now. We must sit side-by-side—educators, artists, policymakers, parents—and build a truly creative city.” Her book, Evolving Creative Mindsets, offers a comprehensive roadmap to turn that vision into reality.

Evolving Creative Mindsets can be purchased at the link below, with a limited time discount offer (discount code: 20CP2025), valid until 16 November 2025:

https://hkupress.hku.hk/Evolving_Creative_Mindsets