• MGM hosts symposium to pioneer new cross-sector paths for arts education.
• The event explores how arts education can be integrated into the cultural and creative industries alongside study tour programs.

The Macao International Children’s Arts Festival makes a vibrant return to the Barra District this summer, anchored by “The Magic of Lines: Serge Bloch’s Wonderland of Picture Books” – an exhibition celebrating the acclaimed French illustrator.

Co-hosted by MGM and the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the event brings Bloch’s playful line art and whimsical humour to the fore, offering families and children an immersive cultural experience across three venues, including Navy Yard No.1 and No.2 in the Barra District (until 14 September) and the “•ART Space” on the first-floor terrace of the Macao Cultural Centre (until 7 October).

Extending beyond visual enjoyment, MGM hosted the “Art Canvas．Study Tour Palette” symposium, fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue among over 60 experts from publishing, education, culture and tourism. Key panellists included Wu Binrong, researcher and picture book author; Solene Xie, consultant for the Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair; Charles Tam, Director of the Macao Study Travel Development Association; and Catarina Lio, MGM’s Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing.

The symposium explored the transformative role of picture books in arts education and cultural tourism.

“Picture books are often a child’s first encounter with literature – they spark a love for reading and serve as a gateway to art education,” said Lio, highlighting how the exhibition and related events cultivate a love of learning and creativity in community spaces.

Wu discussed the potential for picture books to bridge education and commercialization, serving as tools for storytelling, cultural transmission and even creative tourism. Xie emphasized that partnerships between cultural brands and tourism operators can turn picture books into interactive, marketable experiences, while Tam noted Macau’s unique cultural crossroads as fertile ground for innovative art-based tourism.

The exhibition continues with free workshops and interactive activities from 12 July to 31 August.