Dang Thi Minh Thu is one of 12 applicants selected from across the UK and East Asia by the British Council as an ELEVATE Fellow for her outstanding creative contributions to childhood development.

Dang Thi Minh Thu.

Thu has been the art director of Kidstallation –  a playground launched by Tohe Social Enterprise in Hanoi – since September 2014. Since 2003 she has been teaching art for children, researching art projects and organising art and cultural events in Hanoi.

Thu’s academic record includes a BA in Printmaking from the Vietnam University of Fine Arts, Social Sciences and the Arts, and she has earned an MA in Cultural Policy and Management from City University in London.

The 2014 ELEVATE StartWell™ Challenge invited applicants to present innovative new concepts to improve the element of play in early childhood (0-8 years), reimagine urban spaces and playgrounds, and the way young children interact with space.

In announcing her selection the panel of judges said they were hugely impressed by her creativity in approaching the ELEVATE Challenge.

In February, Thu will assemble with the other 11 Fellows in Tokyo and Yamaguchi, Japan, for a one week Innovation Camp, organised by the British Council in collaboration with the Yamaguchi City Foundation for Cultural Promotion.

There, they will work with local and international experts to further develop and refine their ideas, experience new and innovative models of design and ideation, and collaborate across countries.

At the end of the Camp, the Fellows will resubmit their ideas for the opportunity to secure a portion of the $50,000 Singapore dollars (approximately US $40,000) funding available to further develop their concepts.

VOV