St Helens - Diversity, Creativity and Imagination

Inspired by the decibel initiative to raise the profile of culturally diverse arts and artists, a grant from Arts Council England, North West enabled us to conduct a project 'Diversity, Creativity and Imagination in the Early Years'.  Since St Helens is predominantly mono-cultural it would be exciting to have artists of Asian and African-Caribbean origin working in the arts in schools and early years settings.

Five very different settings were matched up with artists of different disciplines and after preparatory meetings it was agreed that the artists were to work for one day a week for six weeks in the settings:

• Levi Tafari was matched with Carr Mill reception class to work on the creative word
• Nat Biney was matched with Wind-in-the-Willows Neighbourhood Nursery to explore African drumming
• Paul Clarkson worked at Sure Start Fourways mother and toddler group and Sutton Manor FS unit on installation art
• Bisakha Sarker explored Indian dance with Rainford Village playgroup
• Faith Bebbington created puppets with Legh Vale nursery class

In most cases performances or exhibitions were mounted to conclude the projects but it was emphasised that the value was in the activity itself and not the end product.  The reactions of the children in all aspects were positive and revealing.  Seeing the way children of a few months old related to drums and the mastery two year olds had with drumming patterns and rhythms was mind-boggling.

Much of the project is now at the evaluation and dissemination stage but the legacy is the involvement of parents and the possible future involvement of children with special needs. Thanks go to Arts Council England, North West and St Helens EYDCP for making this work possible.