top of page

WE ADVOCATE

We advocate media and digital literacy through digital art 

DAFA (Digital Arts For All) is an inclusive ecosystem of people who use digital arts to instill a stronger consciousness for media and digital literacy through empowering workshops, volunteering opportunities and showcasing of works to the public.

 

We believe that creativity is the connecting key to educate, empower and strengthen inclusiveness in society today. To us, digital arts is a powerful medium of communication for individuals to express themselves and connect with others.


Kick-started by Make The Change Pte Ltd (MTC) in late 2017, DAFA is an initiative supported by Media Literacy Council (MLC) to build a digital arts community that serves the purpose on educating the public on media and digital literacy.


Built on the foundational values to Be safe, Be smart and Be kind, we encourage everyone to embrace their own creativity and participate in various programmes designed to welcome different facets of society.

​

Within 6 months, we have reached out to nearly 3,000 people, 8 VWOs, and successful trained 300 of them in the span of 24 workshops. 

What is Digital Art?

Digital art is defined as art created or modified using a computer of other digital mediums. The rapid development and proliferation of computers and softwares have brought about the rise in artists venturing into the digital sphere in the past 50 years.

What is Digital & Media Literacy?

Traditionally, media literacy refers to the ability to critically understand the nature, techniques and impact of media messages. In today's world however, we not only consume media but are also communicators and purveyors of information, empowered by digital technologies. As such, media literacy skills today encompass not just critical thinking, but also communication and information management skills that reflect the realities of living in a digital world.

​

In an age of convergence between media and digital technology, and where that technology is increasingly central to communication and a participatory culture, digital literacy has come to be defined as much more than just technical competence. Digital competence today includes the broader social, legal, ethical and economic aspects of digital use.

​

Where media and digital literacy intersect is about using literacy skills (the ability to understand, contextualize and critically evaluate) coupled with the ability to create content and communicate across a range of digital media platforms, and factoring in the consideration of ethics and social practices that are embedded in work, leisure and daily life.

​

According to Canada's Mediasmarts, the term "multi-literacies" is often used to describe the various aptitudes and abilities that are needed for us to use, understand and create digital media. Under the "digital literacy umbrella" are a wide range of interrelated skills that traditionally fall under media literacy, technology literacy, information literacy, visual literacy, communication literacy and social literacies.

What is a Digital & Media Literate Person?

In Singapore's context, we would like to define a digital and media literate person as someone who is able to:

 

❏ Critically evaluate and interpret information on media platforms, both online and offline

❏ Make wise choices about the information they create, post and share online

❏ Take responsibility for their actions and show good judgment in their online interactions

❏ Recognize the online risks and take appropriate action to protect self and others (what Singaporeans understand as "cyber wellness")

❏ Exemplify the concept of digital citizenship by being active, responsible and innovative contributors to a digital society

 

Information on media and digital literacy taken from:

https://www.betterinternet.sg

Who does DAFA Support?

​DAFA connects individuals and communities together into the larger DAFA ecosystem. Transforming receivers into givers, DAFA enables youth leaders to be competent in facilitating digital art workshops with persons with disabilities. The co-created works of digital art will then be showcased on the website’s gallery and e-commerce platform.  

What is DAFA trying to achieve?

At the heart of DAFA is inclusiveness.

 

For the individual, DAFA purposed itself to:

​

  • Welcome and celebrate every DAFA member into the inclusive ecosystem

  • Be an open space for ideas to flow and be expressed creatively

  • Cultivate a discerning eye to generate and share content responsibly

  • Exemplify the DAFA DNA of being safe, smart and kind as a way of life

 

For the community, DAFA purposed itself to:

​

  • Appreciate and give recognition to every co-created artwork by enabling artists to share and access their works on the online gallery

  • Transform digital art into reality by producing the co-created artworks in a diverse range of merchandises available on DAFA’s e-commerce platform

  • Create financial sustainability for the relevant social service organisations by adopting the plough-back profit model

The DAFA Structure

Within DAFA’s sustainable ecosystem lies a comprehensive web of varying phases and roles for participants, facilitators, partners and organisers alike. Transforming receivers into givers, DAFA enables promising youth leaders with the heart and skills competent to facilitate digital art workshops to communities-in-need. The final, co-created digital artworks will then be showcased on an e-commerce platform and gallery page. These designs can be printed and purchased in DAFA’s wide range of available merchandises, and proceeds will be ploughed back to support the relevant social service organisations.

DAFA has three main stages:

STAGE 1: EMPOWER

DAFA reaches out and connects with youth leaders through digital art​

STAGE 2: GIVING BACK

DAFA enables youth leaders to facilitate workshops with persons with disabilities to co-create digital art

STAGE 3: SHOWCASE

DAFA enables youth leaders to facilitate workshops with persons with disabilities to co-create digital art

WORKSHOP


Basic Design Principles
• How to visually express your idea • Composition and framing


Modern Arts and Digital Arts
• An introduction to modern and digital art • Trends in digital art

 

Digital Literacy
• Media and digital literacy in Singapore • Digital consumption: What has it got to do with me?

• How to discern and share content online • Building an inclusive space for all
 

Use of Digital Tools and Apps

 

Facilitating and Mentoring Techniques
• How to facilitate a digital art workshop • How to engage participants • Tips and things to note in the DAFA community

WORKSHOP

 

Digital Arts
• An introduction to modern and digital art • Trends in digital art


Digital Literacy
• Media and digital literacy in Singapore • Digital consumption: What has it got to do with me? 

• How to discern and share content online • Building an inclusive space for all
 

Use of Digital Tools and Apps
 

Community Development
• Getting to know fellow DAFA members • Interaction amongst different communities

• Understanding varying perspectives

SHOWCASE ONLINE/OFFLINE

 

• Social Media
• E-commerce
• Publication
• Event Gallery

Useful tips and best practices

Be Safe

- Customise your privacy settings on social media platforms
- Ask where, who, why, what, when and how before giving personal information
- Remember that photographs, videos and texts can be manipulated and taken out of context to
distort or influence perceptions

​

Be Smart

- Cross-check and verify the source of your information with other references
- Evaluate the credibility of your source (eg. author’s credentials and intention)
- Understand who or what the website has been set up for, and take some time to read the
website's Terms of Service before receiving or sharing content

​

Be Kind

- Always act with respect, graciousness and empathy
- Think before you post- nothing wise comes out in a moment of anger
- Keep your cool when dealing with negative comments
- Report the website if you come across content that should not be there (eg. report abuse or
inappropriate content) to help make the online community a better place

bottom of page