OBJECTIVES OF CAIS

1) To provide an educational platform for contemporary art
Contemporary Art is one of pluralism and eclecticism. It is no longer formally categorised into distinctive forms of art and art movements such as painting, printmaking, impressionism, cubism etc. It has become more ambiguous and cross-disciplinary, thus a new way of learning about it in an alternative environment needs to be established in order to understand this unique approach to art. As an educational platform, a school like Stella Maris is different from the conventional commercial art spaces. The school carries the significant role of inculcating values and instilling knowledge to the next generation, making it the ideal choice for learning and experiencing contemporary art in a fresh context.

2) To cultivate an appreciation for contemporary art through the understanding of its role in society
Art is a vehicle for human expression of emotions and ideas; it stimulates human senses as well as the mind. It serves as a means for exploring truth in matters of life that entails questioning and reflection. The exhibited artworks offer the audience multiple ideas made manifest through material means. By exposing the audience to various approaches of art creation in this exhibition, it will inspire them to reflect upon their life experiences and environments, thus causing them to develop an integral understanding of their existence and learn to appreciate the value of contemporary art.

3) Creating an audience participatory exhibition space to encourage exchange and interaction between audience and artists
The concept of art creation is not considered complete without the engagement of an audience. An artist creates an experience, an environment or a subject matter that can be shared with others through the use of multiple media, techniques and an array of imagination. The Interactive and Inter-subjective characteristics in contemporary art today are what constitutes to it being in a constant state of flux. Contemporary art has developed into an art form that embraces active participation of the audience in the process rather than it simply inducing a static form of interaction. At the same time, the collective or collaborative method of producing artwork, which involves a parallel and cross directional creative process, encourages exchange and interaction between audience and artists. This practice has spurred the ever-expanding potential of art, thus enhancing its richness and complexity.