18th annual All Kids Included Family Arts Festival promotes inclusivity for children and families of all abilities
The All Kids Included (AKI) Family Arts Festival, a beloved, annual event, returns for its 18th year, promising a day of creativity, inclusivity, and fun for children and families of all abilities. Presented by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with The Children’s Trust, the free festival will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center, 10950 SW 211 Street, in Cutler Bay. No tickets are required for this event, and more information is available here. The All Kids Included Festival is part of Mayor Levine Cava’s Arts Energize 305 initiative which aims to increase diversity, equity and access to the arts and ensure that innovative cultural programs are engaging and serving underserved populations and neighborhoods throughout the County.
“Our community is enriched by diversity and inclusion in our everyday lives, and I am committed to providing accessible arts programs in all areas of our County,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “The All Kids Included Family Arts Festival is renowned for being a leader presenting inclusive programs tailored to children and families of all abilities so that everyone can participate fully in everything the arts have to offer.”
The Festival features a district-wide student art show and awards ceremony, live performances, community resources and performances by ILL-ABILITIES™, an international all-star breakdance crew comprised of the world’s best dancers with disabilities. The crew, formed in 2007, will inspire and captivate audiences of all ages on the Main Stage.
The Festival includes activities and shows across multiple stages including performances by South Florida Ballet, the Moving Music Museum, John Paul Jebian ASL Storytelling, African Watoto Dance Theatre, Miami Lighthouse Youth Music Program, South Florida Center for Percussive Arts, Community Arts Program, and DJ sets by DJ Zelda. Festival goers can visit an immersive experience, Jen Clay’s “Eyes of the Skin,” a mental health-inspired artistic video game and installation where players navigate through a forest filled with tree-like creatures and role-play different scenarios, in The Black Box Theater. In addition, there will be an outdoor rock-climbing wall and an inflatable obstacle course on the Backyard Lawn with food vendors. Visit the website for a comprehensive program schedule.
The AKI Family Arts Festival also hosts an art exhibit featuring original artwork created by children in grades Pre-K through 12 participating in the AKI District Wide Student Art Competition which asked students to read the book Whatever Comes Tomorrow, written by Rebecca Gardyn Levington and illustrated by Mariona Cabassa, and address themes of inclusion, inner strength, and resilience through their artwork. The winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony at the event.
The Festival offers a wide range of accommodations to help make the arts accessible to the public. Accommodations and access technology include ASL interpretation, assistive listening, noise cancelling headsets, Closed Captions, Large Print, Braille, Audio Description, Sensory-Inclusive performances, and a Quiet Room. As part of the sensory-inclusive Main Stage performances, slight adjustments have been made, including reduced sound levels, no flashing or strobe lights, and minimal special effects. To assist audiences in feeling comfortable and prepared for their visit to The Moss Center, a social narrative is available.
The AKI Family Arts Festival is presented by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs with support from The Children’s Trust. The All Kids Included Family Arts Festival is recommended for all ages and all levels of abilities, and no tickets are required. For more information, please visit MossCenter.org or calll (786) 573-5300.
All Kids Included – Accessible Arts Experiences for Kids, an initiative of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, promotes inclusive arts and cultural programs in school settings and throughout the community enabling kids of all abilities and their families to participate fully in the arts, funded in part through a grant provided by The Children’s Trust. The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.
About The Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center
The Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center, informally known as “The Moss Center,” 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 Miami-Dade County. More information about the Center and its programs can be found at www.MossCenter.org.
