"Emergency Academy challenged me and validated me as an actor/performer. It forced me to look at myself intrinsically and at the structures which define the making of theatre and art. We acknowledged that the many factors which make a production successful is beyond artistic abilities, and many times the enrollment of sponsorship and funds. This journey of what has been two years saw me through the questioning of my art, the importance of art and the return of one's artistic expense. It is clear that many of these questions have not yet been answered, but what's more important is the sowing of the seeds to the paths of discovery. And that's perfectly where I am. And that's perfectly where I am grateful to be."

"During the emergency of the epidemic, I had the honor to take refuge here, which was a good time to sink in and tidy up myself, and to face myself again."

"For me, Emergency Academy is a cross-cultural field that provides me with strategies and reflections, as well as a space for spiritual rest and guidance."

"By exploring and speculating on various subjects of art, I have looked back at the focus of my own gaze and regurgitated it in my practice. Whether for an individual, a group, a market or a country, everything in artistic creation or management must ultimately be the aspiration of the heart. Hunger is the desire to pursue."

"Coming into Emergency Academy quickly made me realise it’s not something that I’ve encountered before or even something I thought I knew. For the past couple of years, we got to share, discuss, and pick each other’s brains about the arts and culture. Participants were from different parts of the world, and it was eye opening and enriching to learn from each other’s perspectives. I definitely gained more insights and resources which would help me be a better art maker. Most importantly, I walked out being a more sensitive and appreciative practitioner of the arts."

"These two years let me understand the importance of being an all-round artist, and also let me understand what I want."

"It's important to feel challenged as an actor/ performer, to do things that you don't feel comfortable/enjoy doing. For me, that is research. The Academy was largely about that, using research as the base. After this , I am even more sure that research is not my first choice. It can be particularly endless when there are no boundaries to  the research."

"Emergency Academy has accompanied me through some of the darkest moments of the past two years. During the pandemic, when it was very lonely for for me being an art entrepreneur, the platform of Emergency Academy reminded me that my culture-loving friends in Southeast Asia, Europe and other cities in China were holding on in different ways with the same aspirations. This is extremely important to me. And Xiaoyi always gave me a lot of guidance and advice like a lighthouse when I was lost. Researching a cultural topic every month and then discussing about it also helps me to learn how to think systematically. I really appreciate it."

"After entering Emergency Academy in 2020, Xiaoyi gave me a lot of substantial help and support both inside and outside the creation. In the past two years, what I have gained is not techniques and methods, but concepts, visions, structures and the ability of critical thinking. "Art is revolutionary, and experiments are made to fail." Be independent and be your own leader - the power of the minority takes root and grows here. Thank you Xiaoyi and all the members! The end is a new beginning. I will continue to explore the unknown. See you soon!"

"I can only say that these two years of study is beyond artistic skills. Whether you're listening to artists share their monthly research results, or doing your own research, organizing and consolidate your studies, you're always learning. It may have nothing to do with enhancing artistic skills per se, but it has everything to do with life. It also pushed me to be more curious about the subjects I was not familiar with or interested in, and at the same time made me face and question myself more. I may not be a "cultural leader," but I can't help being my own "leader" - These two years of study have been reminding and pushing me to think about this."

"I was really inspired and learned a lot from Emergency Academy. Although my English is not very good, I have tried my best and ability to do the research. I really enjoyed attending these training sessions and sharing my learning about 18 key topics that inspire us, our art and our self-development, to think about the purpose of seeking more creativity, to think about how to develop our leadership. By learning about the topics designed by Liu Xiaoyi, these trainings also helped me better understand market management and resource sources. Thank Xiaoyi for giving me this opportunity."

"It is always important to keep growing as a person and as a creative, in more ways than one. Emergency Academy helped widen my perspective and understanding of my position in the larger arts-eco system. This was very helpful as I move forward in my practice."

"Emergency Academy is like a secret base for me. It always gives me a lot of guidance when I can't see clearly and when I get lost. It's a platform to listen, to share, to research, to learn about the ecology of other places. During these two years, I met some people and left some traces. Something in my heart has been growing quietly."

"Something I’ve personally been thinking a lot about is “artist as a method”. What if “artist” is a role or a job. Not a “what”/“who”, but a “how”. "

"Cultural tolerance is the organic soil for the growth of art, and Emergency Academy is such a soil, where we exchange puzzles, experiences and perspectives, explore various possibilities and boundaries, and then refine the methods in reality. Not every artist can turn himself into a spark that influences and promotes culture, but Xiaoyi is undoubtedly a cultural leader with both talent and conviction."

"It’s about how to set my own path for my creative career and make active efforts to charge up myself with resources. Emergency Academy has inspired me to empower myself as an individual artist and connect with other dots. It has also empowered us, individual artists, to dream bigger and be more self-driven to achieve bigger goals and make huger influences."