On 18 October 2025, Me2 Centre of Inclusive Arts marked a historic milestone with A Carnival of Stories, our first-ever fully inclusive public event. Held at the vibrant One Punggol Atrium, the Carnival brought together children, youths, adults, seniors, caregivers, educators, partners, and community members for a day overflowing with creativity, connection, and the power of shared storytelling.
As the event kicked off with the unveiling of our permanent art installation, the atrium transformed into a living, breathing canvas of colour and movement. Families wandered between interactive zones. Performers warmed up at the stage wings. Artists with disabilities prepared their showcases with a blend of excitement and pride. There was a palpable sense of anticipation, something new, something meaningful, something long-awaited was about to unfold.
The heart of the Carnival was built around four thematic pillars, stories that are unheard, unseen, unspoken, and undoing. These themes guided everything from performances, booths to workshops, inviting all who attended to reflect on the kinds of stories often pushed to the background. For many of our participants, this was the first time they had been given the space, support, and visibility to express their truths publicly.
Visitors were treated to theatre pieces, spoken word performances, dance, music, visual art, and interactive storytelling. Some stories were bold and humorous. Others were tender and reflective. Many were deeply personal, touching on identity, resilience, loss, healing, hope, and the quiet courage it takes to be yourself in a world that doesn’t always understand you.
What made each performance especially powerful was the authenticity of the individuals behind them. These were not polished, rehearsed-for-perfection performers. These were people, artists, children, youths, adults with disabilities, caregivers, speaking in their own ways, at their own pace, in their own voice. And the audience listened. Really listened.
Beyond the main stage, the Carnival offered an entire avenue of curated booths and hands-on experiences. For many artists and participants with disabilities, this was their first time engaging with members of the public in such an open and celebrated platform.
One of the defining principles of A Carnival of Stories was accessibility. TWe also provided sign language interpreters to ensure Deaf and hard-of-hearing guests could engage meaningfully with performances and announcements.
A key highlight of A Carnival of Stories was our intimate panel discussion featuring caregivers, artists with disabilities, and industry practitioners who shared openly about visibility, advocacy, and the realities behind inclusive arts in Singapore. Their perspectives, honest, vulnerable, and deeply human, created a powerful moment of collective reflection.
As we look forward to future editions of the Carnival, our hope is to continue expanding this movement—bringing more collaborators, more stories, and more communities into this circle of shared truth-telling.
To every artist, performer, caregiver, volunteer, supporter, partner, and guest who filled One Punggol with warmth and wonder: thank you.
You helped create a moment in Singapore’s inclusive arts landscape that we will carry with us for a very long time.
And this is only the beginning.
The stories will continue louder, braver, and more unapologetically human than ever.
About One Punggol’s Accessibility
One Punggol is a fully accessible community space with wide walkways, ramps, lifts, and barrier-free facilities that allow visitors of all abilities to move comfortably.
Its thoughtful layout and clear signage make it a welcoming venue for inclusive events, ensuring everyone can participate with ease and dignity.