{"id":231009,"date":"2026-04-14T09:57:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T09:57:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/231009\/"},"modified":"2026-04-14T09:57:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T09:57:11","slug":"mayor-to-honor-arts-accessibility-leaders-at-the-aki-family-arts-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/231009\/","title":{"rendered":"Mayor to Honor Arts Accessibility Leaders at the AKI Family Arts Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Festival celebrates 20 years of free inclusive arts programs for children and families at the Moss Cultural Arts Center<\/p>\n

On Saturday, May 2, 2026, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs\u2019 All Kids Included Family Arts Festival <\/a>\u00a0will celebrate 20 years of community impact, offering free accessible arts experiences for children and families at the Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In recognition of this milestone 20th year, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava will recognize the trailblazers who have advanced arts accessibility programs with the AKI Inclusion Legacy Award at 10:30 a.m. at the Moss Center\u2019s Lab Theater.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis 20-year milestone serves as a reminder that it takes sustained dedication and passion to build a truly inclusive community,\u201d said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levina Cava. \u201cThese honorees have played a vital role in advancing arts access and uplifting young people of all abilities in our community. Their efforts have ensured that the arts remain accessible and welcoming to every child in Miami-Dade County.\u201d<\/p>\n

Members of the AKI Steering Group are being honored for their pioneering work in establishing the All Kids Included initiative and the AKI Family Arts Festival 20 years ago, breaking new ground in removing barriers to arts access. In addition to the festival, the efforts of these individuals launched award-winning inclusive programs such as the Sensory Inclusive national arts access symbol, Going to the Show and Going to the Museum guides. To date, the festival has served more than 20,000 children and continues to evolve, offering innovative programs and services that strengthen arts accessibility across the community.<\/p>\n

About the AKI Family Arts Festival<\/p>\n

The AKI Family Arts Festival is specifically organized to accommodate children and families with and without disabilities for a fun-filled day of interactive art activities, music and dance performances, giveaways, and valuable community resources for parents and caregivers. Free tickets are available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As one of the main highlights, the Festival will showcase Doodle POP, a sensory-inclusive <\/a>main stage performance by Brush Theatre of Seoul, South Korea. The award-winning theatrical show follows the light-hearted tale of a sea turtle\u2019s journey back to the ocean. The show features both actors and live musicians along with stunning interactive screen projections, live whiteboard drawings, and an abundance of theatrical imagination. Visit the website<\/a> for comprehensive program schedule.<\/p>\n

Winners of the All Kids Included Student Art Showcase<\/a> will be announced at the festival, and their artwork will be on display. Students in K-12 were asked to submit work inspired by Maybe: A Story About the Endless Potential in All of Us, written by New York Times best-selling author Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Gabriella Barouchand, which highlights individuality and expression.<\/p>\n

The Festival utilizes arts access technology and includes accommodations such as sensory-inclusive performances, assistive listening devices, ASL interpretation, noise-cancelling headsets, audio description, large print and Braille programs, and a Quiet Room for those who need a calming space. A social narrative<\/a> is available to help audiences feel comfortable and prepared for their visit.<\/p>\n

This event is free, open to the public and is recommended for all ages. For more information, please visit MossCenter.org<\/a> or call (786) 573-5300. AKI Festival is presented annually by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs<\/a>\u2019 Moss Center in partnership with support from \u00a0The Children\u2019s Trust<\/a> and The Taft Foundation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

About AKI \u2013 Accessible Arts Experience for Kids<\/p>\n

All Kids Included is an initiative of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs which promotes inclusive arts and cultural programs in school settings and throughout the community enabling kids of all abilities and their family to participate fully in the arts. The initiative is funded in part through a grant provided by The Children\u2019s Trust<\/a>, a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County, and by The Taft Foundation.<\/p>\n

About The Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center<\/p>\n

The Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center<\/a>, informally known as \u201cThe Moss Center,\u201d is managed by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, with funding support from the Office of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. The Center is dedicated to presenting and supporting arts and culture and providing access to the arts to the entire Miami-Dade County community. More information about the Center and its programs can be found at www.MossCenter.org.<\/p>\n

About Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs<\/p>\n

The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council develop cultural excellence, diversity, access and participation throughout Miami-Dade County by strategically creating and promoting equitable opportunities for artists and cultural organizations, and our residents and visitors who are their audiences. The Department receives funding through the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, The Children\u2019s Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts, the State of Florida through the Florida Department of State, Florida Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Jorge M. P\u00e9rez Family Foundation at The Miami Foundation, and the Taft Foundation. Other support and services are provided by TicketWeb for the Culture Shock Miami program, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the South Florida Cultural Consortium and the Tourist Development Council.<\/p>\n


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