Engage Cymru - Galleries, Creativity and the Foundation Phase

engage Cymru its about to embark on its third and final year of research projects exploring the contribution that galleries and artists can make to the new Foundation Phase curriculum in Wales. They will work in partnership with Pembrokeshire and Flintshire Early Years Departments. engage Cymru has worked with five local authorities over the past two years, where galleries, artists and early years settings have teamed up to develop projects. A summary of findings, detailed case studies and a comprehensive toolkit of strategies and approaches are available on the engage website.

In 2004, engage Cymru undertook a survey of its member galleries, which revealed that many had little or no experience of running specific programmes and projects for early years children. This coincided with the piloting of the new Foundation Phase curriculum across 41 settings in Wales which prompted engage Cymru's response to run a 3 - year research project. The evaluation across all projects collated, analysed and reflected on evidence gathered on two levels. (1) Project level : what impact could working with galleries/artists have on children's development under the new Foundation Phase framework and (2) Strategic Level : what have been the learning outcomes for artists, galleries, early years practitioners and local authority partners. Each local authority partner drew up their own ‘wish list' of aims and objectives for their respective projects as will be seen on the detailed case studies (website link above).

An emphasis was placed on providing practitioners, artists and gallery partners with skills and methods that they needed to collect evidence of learning and other benefits. The principle of using close observation and documentation to inform the development of activities across the projects and to evidence learning lie at the heart of Reggio Emilia inspired early years practice. engage Cymru has worked closely throughout with lead project evaluator, Fiona Godfrey. As an arts consultant, her work has taken across the UK working with local authorities, Creative Partnerships, NESTA and QCA. Much of Fiona's current work focuses on how creative relationships between young people, artists and arts organisations can facilitate exciting and effective learning. She is particularly interested in how children and young people, teachers and artists can be empowered to document and evaluator their own work.

It has come as no surprise to project partners that the findings of the research have been in line with Welsh Assembly Government objectives and recommendations. Artists and galleries were found to contribute very well to the Foundation Phase ethos and approach. The exhibitions provided inspiring starting points to motivate children's own ideas and the galleries provided spaces for children to learn outside the classroom. Artists effectively introduced new resources and approaches, encouraged experimentation, modelled and endorsed the children's creativity and gave them opportunities to reflect on their own learning.

"This project has emphasised the vital importance of the Foundation Phase approach being facilitated by motivated inspired, creative adults (teachers and artists) and real, exciting resources and starting points (such as galleries and artworks)" Foundation Phase advisory teacher

"The gallery provided a wealth of stimulation and really enthused and motivated the children's learning". Foundation Phase advisory teacher

"The gallery is a fantastic provocation" Nursery teacher

In March 2008 engage Cymru ran a conference at Aberystywth Arts Centre which bought together galleries, artists, Foundation Phase Advisors and teachers. Key speakers included Morfudd Roberts, Foundation Phase Advisor, WAG; Fiona Godfrey, project evaluator and Deirdre Buckley, Craftspace, Birmingham. A conference report will be available on engage website by end May 2008.

engage is the leading membership organisation in the UK for galleries, artists, teachers and those engaged with the public working to break down the barriers to galleries and the visual arts. engage exists to promote access, understanding and enjoyment of the visual arts. Our programme includes cpd training for arts and education sector, research projects, advocacy and publications. Engage Cymru responds to the needs of the gallery education sector in Wales.

For further information about engage email Angela Rogers, engage Cymru Co-ordinator, Tel: 01834 870121 or explore the engage website.