Mayor Levine Cava to Honor Arts Accessibility Leaders at AKI Family Arts Festival

In recognition of this milestone 20th year, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava will recognize the trailblazers who have advanced arts accessibility programs with the AKI Inclusion Legacy Award at 10:30 a.m. at the Moss Center’s Lab Theater.

“This 20-year milestone serves as a reminder that it takes sustained dedication and passion to build a truly inclusive community,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levina Cava. “These honorees have played a vital role in advancing arts access and uplifting young people of all abilities in our community. Their efforts have ensured that the arts remain accessible and welcoming to every child in Miami-Dade County.”

Members of the AKI Steering Group are being honored for their pioneering work in establishing the All Kids Included initiative and the AKI Family Arts Festival 20 years ago, breaking new ground in removing barriers to arts access.

In addition to the festival, the efforts of these individuals launched award-winning inclusive programs such as the Sensory Inclusive national arts access symbol, Going to the Show and Going to the Museum guides.

To date, the festival has served more than 20,000 children and continues to evolve, offering innovative programs and services that strengthen arts accessibility across the community.

The AKI Family Arts Festival is specifically organized to accommodate children and families with and without disabilities for a fun-filled day of interactive art activities, music and dance performances, giveaways, and valuable community resources for parents and caregivers. Free tickets are available here starting April 4, 2026.

As one of the main highlights, the Festival will showcase Doodle POP, a sensory-inclusive main stage performance by Brush Theatre of Seoul, South Korea. The award-winning theatrical show follows the light-hearted tale of a sea turtle’s journey back to the ocean. The show features both actors and live musicians along with stunning interactive screen projections, live whiteboard drawings, and an abundance of theatrical imagination.

Winners of the All Kids Included Student Art Showcase will be announced at the festival, and their artwork will be on display. Students in K-12 were asked to submit work inspired by Maybe: A Story About the Endless Potential in All of Us, written by New York Times best-selling author Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Gabriella Barouchand, which highlights individuality and expression.

The Festival utilizes arts access technology and includes accommodations such as sensory-inclusive performances, assistive listening devices, ASL interpretation, noise-cancelling headsets, audio description, large print and Braille programs, and a Quiet Room for those who need a calming space. A social narrative is available to help audiences feel comfortable and prepared for their visit.

This event is free, open to the public and is recommended for all ages. For more information, please visit MossCenter.org or call (786) 573-5300. AKI Festival is presented annually by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs’ Moss Center in partnership with support from The Children’s Trust and The Taft Foundation.