Arts Backpack Pilot – How to get involved

Mimi Doulton 20th February 2019 ACA News, Blog, Front Page No Comments

In December 2018 ACA published their commissioned feasibility study examining the idea of an Arts Backpack programme for every primary school child in the UK. An Arts Backpack would serve as a digital collection point for Arts, Cultural, Heritage and Library engagements – aiming to ensure that every child had access to at least five quality participatory experiences throughout the school year. Click here to download the report.

We are now focussing on delivering the report’s recommendations and would like to invite professionals with an interest in this UK wide programme to get in touch, and to get involved. We are looking for the following collaborators:

Local Lead Organisation - supported by ACA to coordinate the project in their area; this will include engaging with primary schools, launching the Arts Backpack in their area, supporting schools during the pilot
Local/Regional Arts and Cultural Organisation Partners - support by the Local Lead Organisation and ACA; the local partners will form a hub, offering a menu of activities to participating schools
National Digital Partner - ACA would like to work with an organisation who can guide the digital element of the Backpack for all pilot programmes
National Evaluation and Research Partner - ACA would like to work with an organisation who can evaluate the effectiveness of all pilot programmes

We are keen to link with any organisations or individuals interested in working with us on this aspect of the work. Click here to download the full pilot briefing document. Email: mimi.doulton@childrensarts.org.uk if you are interested in collaborating, funding or participating in the pilot projects.

ACA publishes Arts Backpack UK Feasibility Study

Mimi Doulton 11th January 2019 ACA News, Front Page No Comments

Download the Feasibility Study here

Over the past 18 months Action for Children’s Arts (ACA) has been holding round table meetings with representatives from organisations across the UK who listen to children and allow their ideas to inform their practice. From these discussions the idea of a UK-wide initiative to promote, enhance and curate arts engagement that appeals to children, parents, carers and teachers emerged as a gap in current UK wide provision.

Looking at other Cultural Offers covering a similar scope, ACA found interesting examples of good practice across the world and from these models identified a format that may work for Primary Schools across the UK – an Arts Backpack.

In autumn 2018 ACA – with support from Arts Council Northern Ireland, ASSITEJ UK, Belfast City Council, Cambridgeshire Music, Fife Council, and two individuals – commissioned Michael Judge and Richard Freeman to explore the idea of an Arts Backpack that could be offered to every Primary School child in the UK. The Arts Backpack would serve as a digital collection and reflection point for all their Arts, Cultural, Heritage and Library engagement across the school year with an aim to ensure that each child has access to a minimum of 5 experiences each year.

ACA commissioned this study to examine the validity of the idea, to better understand if there was a case for it to develop further and if so, how that may be achieved. Part of the Conclusion of this report advises a series of Pilot Projects are undertaken to test the idea further and to better understand the concept within a variety of contexts throughout the UK. ACA is keen to work with strategic partners to develop and deliver these suggested Arts Backpack pilots.

To ensure children’s voices are co-creators in the Arts Backpack, and to create a model to support the development of all Pilots, ACA is launching a strategic partnership with Chickenshed, an Inclusive theatre company based in North London. A research group of 8 children from Chickenshed will explore a range of themes about the importance of performing arts to the 0-12 age range. Through this they will generate 5 questions for a questionnaire.

Through this scheme, a final questionnaire will be circulated by ACA to UK schools and arts organisations who may be part of local or regional pilot schemes. It will also be distributed by FIRST NEWS, The UK’s national newspaper for young people, resulting in a children’s voices adding directly into this debate.

Download the Feasibility Study here

Potential Trust conference – Chair’s report

Mimi Doulton 28th November 2018 ACA News, Front Page No Comments

On 13-14 November 2018, ACA was generously hosted by the Potential Trust at Hawkwood House for a conference. The Potential Trust is an educational charity, which labels itself as a ‘centre for future thinking’ and gifts organisations with the space to discuss ideas pertaining to children and young people.

On the first day of the conference, guests presented practice and experience from the organisations they were representing. This included discussion of ACA’s Listening to Children and Arts Backpack projects. Emerging themes during the morning were the isolation of children and how the arts has the power to reverse this issue; how the arts can improve wellbeing; the importance of participative theatre; and the emergence of libraries as cultural hubs – replacing lost facilities such as youth clubs.

Attendees agreed that early intervention can help prevent anti-social behaviour and the development of mental health issues, and that a stronger case needs to be made for the role of arts education – beginning with early-years – as one of the preventative measures.

There was also a lengthy discussion about the need for all the voices within the arts advocating for children’s cultural rights to seek to come together and to work to understand better why they are currently not being heard and failing to persuade policy makers of the importance of the Arts for all children.

Other topics included Drama Advisors (who used to work in local councils to support teachers); the benefit of the arts for gifted children; and the cultural heritage values of arts.

Those in attendance were: Anna Comino-James (Potential Trust), Elizabeth Greaves (ACA Member), Jamila Gavin (ACA Patron), Janet Robertson (ACA Trustee), Vicky Ireland (ACA Chair), Krystyna Budzynska (Royal Academy of Music), Lucy Nicholls (ACE Theatre Change Maker), Matthew Crowfoot (Polka Theatre), Penny Hay (5x5x5=creativity), Pete Dowse (Chickenshed), and Gemma Bhagalia (The Spark Arts).

JM Barrie Awards 2018 – photos

Mimi Doulton 17th November 2018 ACA News, Front Page No Comments

Photos of award-winners at the 2018 JM Barrie Awards, taken by Katie MacKinnon. The ceremony was hosted by the Prince of Wales Theatre on 11 October 2018.

2018 winners Stuart and Kadie Kanneh-Mason

Stuart and Kadie with ACA Patron Julian Lloyd-Webber

Outstanding Contribution Award winner Sticky Fingers Arts, with ACA chair

JM Barrie Award winners 2018, Stuart and Kadie with ACA Chair Vicky Ireland

Caroline Moore and Susie Hall, Members’ Award winners from GOSH Arts

Treasurer/Company Secretary job description

Mimi Doulton 17th November 2018 ACA people, Front Page No Comments

ACA is looking for a new Treasurer and Company Secretary! This role has previously been performed by one person, however please do get in touch even if you are only interested in undertaking one half of the responsibilities – we would be delighted to hear from you. Please note this is a voluntary position.

If you have any questions, email mimi.doulton@childrensarts.org.uk

Click here to download the full description of the role.

JM Barrie Awards 2018

Mimi Doulton 11th October 2018 ACA News, Front Page No Comments

On 11 October 2018, we presented Stuart and Kadie Kanneh-Mason with the 2018 JM Barrie Award, recognising a lifetime’s achievement in children’s arts. The award was presented in recognition of all parents who selflessly dedicate themselves to their children’s artistic education.

It is ACA’s immense delight to honour Kadie and Stuart with our JM Barrie Lifetime Achievement Award. They are great ambassadors for the inspirational role music education can play in nurturing childhood.

The 2018 Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to Sticky Fingers Arts, who have provided twenty years of ground-breaking early-years arts provision in Northern Ireland. The organisation provides a powerful voice for the rights of children to engage in the arts. They are committed to increasing opportunities for as many children as possible to access and participate in the highest-quality, professionally-run, age-appropriate, arts programmes.

The Member’s Awards were presented to GOSH Arts and children’s choral conductor and workshop leader Helen Smee. The GOSH Arts programme is run by Caroline Moore and Susie Hall. They work to bring the arts into Great Ormond Street hospital; ranging from work that thrills and lifts spirits, to participatory programmes that entertain and inspire the young patients.

Helen Smee is the founder of Voices of London Festival, and is also extremely active in maintaining opportunities and enthusiasm for music in state primary schools. She is currently working with schools in three parts of London, bringing children together to sing an original choral piece in a series of concerts.

BAFTA Young Presenter Tianna Moore skilfully presented the awards ceremony, and the JM Barrie Award was handed to Stuart and Kadie by 7 year-old Angelina Sinclair, after Julian Lloyd-Webber had read his citation.

Arts Backpack UK launch – photos

Mimi Doulton 11th August 2018 ACA News, Front Page No Comments

On 4 August 2018, ACA celebrated its 20th Birthday at the National Theatre, where the charity launched in 1998. It also used this Impact Hour as an opportunity to launch the Feasibility Study for the Arts Backpack UK. Find out more here.

National Theatre	President David Wood OBE	BAFTA Young Presenter 2016 Tianna Moore with ACA Trustee Chris Jarvis	ACA Trustee Janet Robertson
Patron Jamila Gavin	Trustee James Mayhew	Guests at the party	Trustee James Mayhew with Patrons Michael Foreman, Jamila Gavin
Trevor MacFarlane, Labour Party and European Parliament	ACA Chair Vicky Ireland MBE	Vicky Ireland MBE	Cutting the cake: Tianna Moore, Vicky Ireland
Arts Backpack Launch	Chris Jarvis, Tianna Moore, Vicky Ireland	20th Birthday Cake

Brief for The Arts Backpack Feasibility Study

Mimi Doulton 4th August 2018 ACA News, Front Page No Comments

Introducing the Idea

Action for Children’s Arts would like to commission an arts and cultural researcher to explore the idea of a virtual Arts Backpack being offered to every Primary School child in the UK. The Arts Backpack will serve as a digital collection point for all their Arts, Cultural, Heritage and Library engagements and experiences across the school year and our aim is to ensure that each child can access a minimum of 5 experiences.

Click here to download the full Feasibility Brief.

The Feasibility Study – Why we are seeking to commission it

ACA want to commission a study examining the validity of the Arts Backpack idea. We plan to begin this study in Autumn 2018. The funded Feasibility Study (FS) will, among other targets, enable the creation of a national steering group and potentially regional steering groups. Key to the process will be the identification of a strong case to support it across the UK.

We wish to appeal to:

Funded arts providers who could do more for children;
Commercial providers who could do more for children;
A selection of exemplary children’s arts providers;
Digital arts/children’s learning providers;
Politicians from across the UK with remits for Arts, Culture, Education, Digital, Health and Well-being; HE researchers working on, or who have published work looking at children and creativity or the impact of creativity in society;
Leaders in understanding and assessing the impact of creative industries on UK GDP.

The role of the Arts Business Consultant

We expect the Consultant to develop the FS over a 6 week period; the £4,000.00 fee offered covers all costs and expenses. The Consultant will be contracted as a freelance role with agreed and accepted responsibility for their own National Insurance and Income Tax. The Consultant will work independently with weekly agreed liaison with designated ACA Trustee(s).

Purpose of the Feasibility Study

The FS must offer clear reporting from a current review of published information and available literature related to the concept and scope of a UK wide initiative challenging all primary school children to connect with heritage, libraries, culture and the arts.

The Feasibility Study should address the following particular areas:

Research areas:

International models of good practice
Synergy to current UK programmes in Arts and Sports
Current access and engagement levels/barrier to access for Arts and Cultural Events for primary school children across UK
A review of current research pertinent to this idea
Identified case for the educational, creative, emotional wellbeing, commercial and citizenship strengths that recommend this idea for support

Proposals for the Project’s Delivery and Management:

An outline of the shape, format and scope of the project supported by the evidence gathered
Project pilot options
Project Timescale
Digital and online engagement options
Outline of funding and resources required for the pilot and expanded programme
Regional and National Set Up options

Reflection and Continuity

Project evaluation choices
Overview of Sustainability highlighting any currently perceived risks.

How to apply

Expressions of interest should be submitted electronically to:

Mimi Doulton, Development Director: mimi.doulton@childrensarts.org.uk

Expressions of interest should include:

CV
A statement of why the project is of interest to you
Details of previous experience relevant to the project
Contact details of 2 referees

Deadline: 7 September 2018

Click here to download the full Feasibility Brief.

Arts Backpack UK launched at the National Theatre

Mimi Doulton 4th August 2018 Children's Arts News, Front Page No Comments

On Saturday 4 August 2018, Action for Children’s Arts (ACA) launched the Arts Backpack UK at the National Theatre. This is a project which, if implemented, will ensure that every primary school child in the UK has at least five cultural experiences in the school year. It has been proposed to government ministers, representatives from Arts Council England and key individuals within the sector as a way to combat the diminishing role that arts subjects play in schools across the UK.

The idea is inspired by similar schemes worldwide: the Norwegian Cultural Rucksack, the Israeli Cultural Breadbasket and the German Culture Rucksack in Nuremberg. The principle is to offer every primary school child in the UK a digital rucksack, where they can collect their Arts, Cultural, Heritage and Library experiences throughout the year. The aim is to collect a minimum of five experiences.

At the National Theatre launch of this project, ACA put out the call for an individual to carry out a feasibility study. Those wishing to apply can click here to download the brief.

The feasibility study has been generously funded by Arts Council Northern Ireland, Assitej UK, Belfast City Council, Cambridgeshire Music, Fife Council and two generous donors; and match-funded by ACA.

The Arts Backpack is championed by ACA patrons including David Almond, Sir Alan Ayckbourn CBE, Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE, David Bintley CBE, Mrs Felicity Dahl, Michael Foreman, Jamila Gavin, Anna Home OBE, Michelle Magorian, Roger McGough CBE, Philip Pullman CBE, Lynne Reid Banks, Sir Tony Robinson and Dame Jacqueline Wilson. When adding his support, Michael Foreman said: “Art was my boyhood ‘magic carpet’ to a world of Wonder. It has been all my life. Every child should have the opportunity to go on this ride.”

Notes for Editors

Contact for information: admin@childrens arts.org.uk

www.childrensarts.org.uk

@childrensarts

Action for Children’s Arts (ACA) is a national membership organisation embracing all those who believe that every child deserves access to artistic and creative activity. The charity is dedicated to the promotion, development and celebration of all creative and performing arts, for and with children. ACA is proud that its membership ranges from individual artists, to National Portfolio Organisations, to parents and teachers – all championing the cause of giving every child access to the arts.

President: David Wood, OBE

Chair: Vicky Ireland, MBE

Patrons: David Almond, Jenny Agutter OBE, Sir Alan Ayckbourn CBE, Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE, David Bintley CBE, Malorie Blackman OBE, Sir Quentin Blake CBE, Sir Matthew Bourne OBE, Joseph Coelho, Mrs Felicity Dahl, Dame Carol Ann Duffy CBE, Peter Duncan, Michael Foreman, Jamila Gavin, Anna Home OBE, Shirley Hughes CBE, Sir Nicholas Hytner, Terry Jones, Judith Kerr OBE, Julian Lloyd Webber, Joanna McGregor OBE, Michelle Magorian, Roger McGough CBE, Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE, Nick Park CBE, Philip Pullman CBE, Lynne Reid Banks, Sir Ken Robinson, Sir Tony Robinson, Michael Rosen, Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Benjamin Zephaniah.

Children’s Arts News: 30 July

Mimi Doulton 30th July 2018 Children's Arts News, Front Page No Comments

News from ACA Patrons:

Floella Benjamin to give BookTrust annual lecture – ACA Patron Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE will deliver this year’s BookTrust Annual Lecture. Her lecture will take place on 11th October at Royal Institute of British Architects in London.

Jacqueline Wilson Creative Writing Prize 2018 – ‘I’d wanted to find a special friend ever since I came here. However, I never thought I’d find such an amazing one! …’ If you know someone aged 7-12 with a story to tell on the theme of unlikely friendships, encourage them to enter by 14 September.

Michael Rosen on making children laugh – ‘Making children laugh isn’t terribly difficult. You just have to understand where the laughter is coming from, and why it’s necessary in a child’s development. I’m no scientist, neurologist or psychologist, but I know it helps them find their way in life.’

Opportunities:

Call for scripts – Beginning July 1, 2018, New Plays for Young Audiences seeks new unpublished and unproduced full-length play scripts for young audiences for their 22nd season, June 2019. The final date that submissions for 2019 will be accepted is October 31, 2018.

Free summer art workshops for children in Ulster University – Thanks to sponsorship from the Garfield Weston Trust in London, the university and graduates have teamed up to host a series of free art workshops for children, beginning on Thursday, August 9.

Aberdeen Maritime Museum offers music workshop – the workshop will be lead by a professional musician and is aimed at children aged 3-8.

More News:

What makes a school Outstanding? We asked pupils – TES puts Listening to Children into practice, asking schoolchildren what they think makes their schools outstanding.

School wins OPAL Gold Award for teaching children to play – Rosa Street Primary School has created a covered sandpit, mud kitchen, den building and dressing up area in its playground. Headteacher Helen Ashton said: “We wanted to teach children how to play, purposeful play is good for language, listening, speaking and cooperation skills.”

Hundreds of primary school children perform at Riversfest – The pupils, from schools in the Rivers CE Academy Trust, performed songs, gymnastic and dance displays. Kate Brunt, Trust Founder and CEO said: “All of our Academy Schools have talented music specialists and were also supported by Paula Evans, our specialist singing and musical theatre teacher in the production of this spectacular performance.”

Action for Children’s Arts

The National Voice of Children's Arts

Author: Mimi Doulton