The idea
Our partnership of local arts organisations is already working in 43 schools helping over 5000 children. We wish to increase the number of schools and the range of activities we are offering in each school. When children are involved in art or singing or making music their level of excitement and enthusiasm increases and they becaome more engaged in other school activitries. Creativity, imagination and enthusiasm is fundamental to learning and social-interaction, needed more post Covid shut-downs and increased time on screens. By involving local artists, musicians, drama specialists we can help children develop their creative potential.
In schools where we are already working we want to add more instruments for older children. In new schools they need the full range of workshops, materials and instruments.
We also want to launch a service to local businesses to rent children's art works. This will generate revenue for the charity and increase awareness of the need.
What we'll deliver
- Add ukeleles, and keyboards in schools which have already started music
- Provide more teacher training and inspirational workshops
- Add another ten schools
- Provide drama workshops in a further ten schools
- Add dance opportunities in ten schools
- Provide transport for visits to exhibitions and concerts
- Create a library service of children's artworks for use in local businesses and old people's homes
Why it's a great idea
Everybody knows how important it is for children to exercise their imaginations and to try new creative things to do. We show them how to use charcoal, water-colours, and acrylics when drawing and painting; we give them chances to work in clay, or do engraving, or make pottery. Some children get no singing so we train teachers to teach singing, show opera in the playground involving older children, provide teachers and children the chance to learn ocarinas, recorders and ukleles and then advance to guitars, wind instruments and keyboards. In association with the Royal Ballet School we can offer dance classes and with the English Speaking Board opportunities to develop their speaking skills. The local theatre has developed workshops so children can learn basic acting techniques.
To help support this we want local companies to rent artworks by primary school children and A level artists with proceeds going to art in schools as well as supporting the charity.
Steps to get it done
- Art experiences with a professional artist in at least forty schools
- A music experience in at least 30 schools
- Dance opportunities in ten schools
- At lease fifty pictures placed in local businesses
The idea of renting art-works to local companies and also lending them to old people's homes and others is a proven revenue model being done elsewhere in the country. We have volunteers to run it, and the experience of others to draw on. We have to raise the initial funding for framing and photography, storage and initial sales costs.
