The Choi Centre Cloud House is proud to announce the launch of a highly anticipated education centre within the renowned Palais de Tokyo, a landmark milestone for collaborative art education. The pinnacle of this partnership is the much-anticipated Choi Art Education Centre, also known as HAMO. The Choi Centre Cloud House co-hosted the inauguration ceremony with Palais de Tokyo on 15th September 2023. As a brand-new art space dedicated to artistic mediation, education and inclusivity, HAMO will open its doors to the public on 16 and 17th September.

Supported by Johnathan KS Choi Foundation, the HAMO project marks a pivotal turning point at the intersection of art and education. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, has acknowledged the outstanding work undertaken by Johnathan KS Choi Foundation for Cultural Exchange to strengthen cultural ties between China and France, and conveyed his profound appreciation during his state visit to China this April.

This collaboration traces its origins to 19 October 2019, when Johnathan KS Choi Foundation signed a cooperation agreement with Palais de Tokyo in Paris. This Sino-French partnership seeks to develop a diverse array of educational programmes centred on contemporary art.

The Parisian institution, celebrated for its core values of openness and sharing, stated in the agreement that the upcoming venue would represent an unprecedented scale of space, set to deliver innovative educational and cultural outreach initiatives in Spring 2021.

At the heart of this Sino-French partnership lies the mission to broaden access to art for all audiences, including people with disabilities and vulnerable social groups with special needs. Palais de Tokyo clarifies that the project strives to bring together diverse communities through programmes hosted at this art and cultural centre, fostering social well-being and progress.

As an extension of this initiative, Palais de Tokyo will also forge a unique educational partnership with Lycée Français International de Pékin. This collaboration seeks to deepen dialogues, explorations and creative collaborations with artists, opening wider access to contemporary art and the challenges it addresses. It also aims to guide educators and artists to reflect in depth on how inclusion and development can be advanced through art.

Palais de Tokyo commented: “This marks the first time we have embarked on such an ambitious collaboration, particularly one with a Chinese foundation. We are thrilled by the values we hold in common. This partnership affords us the opportunity to deliver landmark projects in education and artistic mediation, which constitutes a pivotal moment for our institution.”

At the core of Johnathan KS Choi Foundation for Cultural Exchange’s mission lies the advancement of cultural exchange. As a dynamic convergence point for individuals from both nations, the Cloud House aspires to build an open, inclusive and multi-faceted global platform anchored in the following core values. Integrating art, culture and innovative thinking into its initiatives through a rich variety of events and programmes, which fosters an environment defined by collaboration, creativity and cross-cultural appreciation.

This dedication embodies the Cloud House’s core tenets: prioritising friendship, upholding education as a vessel for learning and interaction, maintaining an unwavering focus on environmental sustainability, and pursuing pioneering artistic and cultural exchange without cease. This multi-layered approach plays a vital role in shaping a more interconnected, open-minded world, nurturing enduring friendships and paving the way for a new era of international collaboration.

Image courtesy of Choi Centre · Cloud House