Earlyarts E-Bulletin No 6 - Autumn 2004
Welcome to the sixth e-bulletin from the earlyarts network in the North West of England. Please feel free to circulate to any interested colleagues. Feel free to use this e-bulletin to promote your work and request artists / advice / support from other readers across the region.
All email addresses are hidden to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act, however, members are free to reveal their email addresses to the group within the body of their information if they wish to do so. The winter e-bulletin is due in January; please forward any activities, events, or news articles about your work to the email above by 10 th January.
Earlyarts network update:
§ Art and Early Years networking section: is your organisation or project represented here? www.earlyarts.co.uk/networks/?sec=7. Use the search engine to find your organisation or project and email us to let us know if the category listing, web links, or other details are wrong, or you simply haven't been listed yet at earlyarts .
§ Early Years Artists Sought - Two freelance visual artists are invited to apply for a new Early Years Project in West Sussex. Fixed fee inclusive of expenses: £6550 each. This is an opportunity for two artists with considerable experience of working with nursery age children to develop a new visual arts project specifically for nursery settings in multi-use buildings. Artists who have a good understanding of creative approaches to working with three and four year olds should apply and who also have the skills to work with nursery practitioners and parents. The project will take place in the second half of the spring term 2005 with a development period prior to that. The project is a pilot and will be evaluated with the intention of widening its reach in the future, and with this in mind, two locally based artists will be working alongside the main artists to develop locally the skills needed for this work. Please call Natalie Keller for an application pack: (01243) 777801 or write to Clare Halstead, Arts in Education Co-ordinator, Arts Office, County Hall, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1RF or email clare.halstead@westsussex.gov.uk Closing date for applications: Monday 18th October Interviews week beginning: Monday 1st November.
Emerging Issues and national events:
§ New Worlds Early Years and Creativity conference will be held at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Friday 5th November, 9.30am - 4pm. Organised by the West Yorkshire Playhouse in association with Arts Council England, Yorkshire and the Ragdoll Foundation, the conference offers a unique opportunity to share good practice on creative work with babies and very young children within a national and international arena. Arts Council England's recent research into International Creative Practice by Ruth Churchill of Isaacs UK will be highlighted, featuring work from Italy, France, Belgium, Pennsylvania and the Yorkshire region, the aim of which is to harness opportunities for exchanging each country's practice and knowledge. Opportunities to experience such practice will be available through workshops from Italy and Belgium, as well as a unique chance to see the premiere interactive performance of Theatre Rites ‘In One Ear' for three to six year olds. Conference Speakers include Jo Belloli Early Years Consultant, Ian Brown West Yorkshire Playhouse, Andy Carver Arts Council England, Yorkshire, Ruth Churchill Isaacs UK Culture and Education Consultancy, Mary Jane Drummond Author and Researcher in Early Years, Charlotte Fallon Theatre de la Guimbarde, Belgium, Roberto Frabetti La Baracca, Italy, Marina Manferrari Commune de Bologna, Italy, Karen Newall The Ragdoll Foundation, Lisa Parrott and Sam Perkins West Yorkshire Playhouse. Cost: £90 / £60 (individuals) including lunch conference pack, International Creative Practice Research document, and a ticket for ‘In One Ear'. Booking form here, or contact Lisa Parrott, Creative Education manager at WYP on lisa.parrot@wyp.org.uk , T: 0113 213 7290.
Two other chances to see performances and master classes by the Italians (La Baracca) and Belgians (Theatre de la Guimbarde) featured in the above research will be at the LEAParts Early Years Network presents an international one-day Seminar COLOURS of WATER on Friday 15th October 2004 , 9.00am 4.30pm at the Royal Festival Hall, South Bank, London SE1 (contact Gill Hernon Gill Hernon: admin@leaparts.info ), and at the TAKEOFF 2004 International Theatre festival 10th - 13th October at Darlington Arts Centre (contact CTC Theatre, T: 01325 352004 to speak to a member of the festival team or e-mail sarah@ctctheatre.org.uk).
§ Artsmark has getting much press this month. As mentioned in the last e-bulletin, a national pilot took place between October 2003 and March 2004 to test out a version of the Artsmark scheme for early years settings. A wide range of settings took part in the pilot - primary schools with nurseries, independent nurseries, playgroups, daycare centres and a childminding network. In total 91 early years settings have been involved in the pilot. As a result, Arts Council England have included the foundation stage in the Artsmark applications for primary and special schools. This will give schools with the foundation stage opportunities to describe their provision in curriculum time, sharing and celebrating achievements, arts visits and partnerships and continuing professional development. Feedback from the pilot informed changes that were required, and the amended sections form the basis of the foundation stage parts of these application forms. More detailed results can be viewed in the enclosed attachment.
The Arts Council recognises the importance of the arts and creativity in the early years, however following consultation on the feasibility of local support in delivery, assessment and validation, they have decided they are unable to roll-out a separate Artsmark for the early years sector at this time. Instead of developing a new award scheme for the early years, they are creating a toolkit for early years settings that will be based on the auditing principles of Artsmark. It is their hope that this will encourage early years settings to look closely at their provision of the arts and creative development, and give examples of good practice that will help to develop provision in this area. It is expected that this will be ready in spring 2004. (For those in and around the North West region, this subject will be discussed in detail at the next earlyarts Champions Group meeting in December - see Regional Partners News section for details - EVERYBODY WELCOME).
§ The Impact of Artsmark in Schools: an Invitation to tender - Arts Council England wishes to commission a company or individual to assess the impact of the Artsmark award in schools. Artsmark is a national award open to all schools in England - primary, secondary and special schools and pupil referral units, both maintained and independent. Artsmark is managed by Arts Council England, and is developed in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; Department for Education and Skills; Qualifications and Curriculum Authority; and OfSTED.
The researcher(s) will analyse existing data and collect new evidence to assess Artsmark's impact on the quantity, range and type of arts provision in applicant schools. Changes in ethos, others' perception of Artsmark schools and pupil achievement will also be explored. The main output from this research will be a written report. We are looking for researchers who:
§ have experience of both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods, and preferably a research qualification
§ excellent analysis and interpretation skills
§ strong project management experience, including demonstrable ability to deliver research on time
§ knowledge and experience of the arts and education sectors. good written and oral communication skills'
§ ability to write to a publishable standard.
The contract will run from November 2004 - September 2005. The research brief and instructions for submitting a tender are available by e-mail from research@artscouncil.org.uk. The deadline for enquiries is 29 September 2004 and the deadline for submitting a proposal is 20 October 2004. Final selection will be by interview on 1 November 2004.
§ Artsmark validators are also being recruited by Arts Council to make phone calls and visits to schools to check and verify information provided on the application form. Validators appointed for round 4 need not reapply, but will be contacted by the Arts Council. Applications are first read by assessors, who make initial recommendations to the Artsmark project team. Assessors indicate on the assessment proforma the areas of the application which need validation. Not all applications are validated, although it is planned to visit or make contact with all schools applying for or awarded Artsmark Gold. Telephone validation may also take place for some Artsmark Silver and Artsmark schools, usually where information needs clarification. Application Form enclosed (deadline 1st October) or contact Seema Patel T: 020 7973 5216, email: seema.patel@artscouncil.org.uk .
§ WebPlay is an internet-based arts education programme that enables primary school pupils to create and produce plays while working in collaboration with a professional theatre company and children from schools in different countries. This year, WebPlay also launched a domestic version of the programme, linking schools in Birmingham and Shropshire. An evaluation of the programme by Professor Angela MacFarlane of Bristol University has just been published and is available by request from Sydney Thornbury T: 020 7403 2936, email: sydney@webplay.org, Website
§ Inspiring Creativity in the Primary School conference on Monday 4 October 2004. A one-day conference for head teachers and teachers in nursery, primary and special schools organised by Mid Pennine Arts. This inspirational (and participatory) day will be led by artists and teachers who, between them, demonstrate a breadth and depth of experience of professional artists working in the primary school classroom. The theme is extended to explore creativity through partnerships between primary schools and the local community. Contact David Smith 01282 421986 or david@midpenninearts.co.uk.
§ PLAY•TRAIN are running a series of training courses in the autumn of 2004 for creative people who would like to work with children, and for people working with children who would like to be more creative. The courses are funded by the Arts Council West Midlands and are free to: artists, musicians, dancers, actors, Early Years practitioners, play workers...anyone who wants to work creatively with children! Details are enclosed in the above attachment, but for further information or to reserve a place please call PLAY•TRAIN 0121 449 6665 or email: team@playtrain.org.uk.
§ Introduction to Reggio's Approach and Encounters with UK educator/arts-enabler collaborative projects - A three day inclusive residential seminar, for 100 participants, presented by educators from the Reggio preschools and the UK, Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th October 2004. The weekend is intended for those who have an initial curiosity and interest in the approach and work of the Reggio preschools, and are committed to developing thinking and practice in supporting young children's learning. It will be a unique opportunity to hear about and discuss the Reggio approach with staff from the preschools, plus presentations and exchanges with some of the recent collaborative ‘learning community' projects that have been recently developed in the UK involving arts-enablers and educators working together alongside children. Areas to be covered will include children as enquiring, competent learners; the context and development of the preschools; education as a pedagogy of listening; the role of the educator and the atelierista (artist-enabler); understanding the tool of documentation; the social context of learning; the co-constructed curriculum; understanding the enabling environment; encounters with recent UK artist-educator collaborative projects.
Booking: A. Contact Debbie Knowles on 01539 797005, Mon-Fri from 9am to 5pm, at Castle Green Hotel to book your place on the conference and accommodation requirements. B. Once you have booked your place via Castle Green Hotel, Sightlines Initiative will be informed and your confirmation slip and invoice will be issued. Cost £595 per person, inclusive of elegant residential accommodation, dinner and evening meals, set in acreages of landscaped grounds, in the Castle Green Hotel (www.castlegreen.co.uk) this cost is based on two people sharing a room, residing on Friday and Saturday night. More details here: www.sightlines-initiative.com (click on events).
§ How to Catch a Moonbeam and Pin It Down conference. A national conference on the arts and creativity in the early years, organised in partnership with Birmingham City Council, Youth Music Action Zones, Birmingham EYDCP and the Arts Council of England, runs on Friday 19th November 2004, at International Convention centre, Birmingham. Keynote speakers include: Lesley Staggs, Foundation Stage Director, DfES; Colwyn Trevarthen, Professor (Emeritus) of Child Psychology and Psychobiology at the University of Edinburgh; Chaired by Professor Tony Bertram, Centre for Research in Early Childhood. The day will give you several "moonbeam moments" that will influence and inspire you for the future.
Workshops/Seminars include:
• The Hundred Languages of Children, 2004 UK Exhibition from Reggio Emilia Pre-schools, Northern Italy
• Sightlines Initiative lead two workshops on their work on "breaking the mould" of traditional practice in a variety of early years settings
• Professor Christine Pascal (The Centre for Research in Early Childhood) leads a discussion about the research findings of Moonbeams, a two-year project on arts and creativity in Early Years with a specific reference to the philosophy and practice of Reggio Emilia
• Representatives from the 5x5x5 project discuss this unique visual arts project involving 5 artists, 5 galleries and 5 schools with under 5's
• An active workshop exploring music for 0-5 year olds with musician Nancy Evans and early years workers from the Moonbeams Project
• Teatro Kismet (Italy) presents "Little Mysteries" as part of the Birmingham REP's First Stages season
• Moonbeams In A Nursery Setting: dance worker Peppy Hills leads a practical dance workshop using Reggio Emilia techniques
Cost: £175. Contact Janet Robinson, Administrator Early Years, St Thomas Coram Centre of Excellence, Bell Barn Road, Attwood Green, Birmingham, B15 2AF. T: 0121 464 0002 or complete booking form here.
Regional Partners Bulletin Board:
§ Have you checked out the new Family Friendly Website yet? This recently launched family oriented web site brings together a partnership of art and cultural organisations, including project managers Arts About Manchester, and is packed with great ideas for family activities, you never need to be at a loose end. This autumn simply go to www.familyfriendly.org.uk for fully searchable listings of Family Friendly arts events and activities in Greater Manchester and beyond. This new improved website also includes venue facilities, maps, fun and games and e-cards to send to family and friends.
§ The FAMILY FRIENDLY SELECTION from the green room - Manchester's centre for new performance - which continues its fabulous 'Funday Sunday' events this Autumn with poetry, puppetry, interactive workshops and an antidote to Christmas commercialism! Tel Box Office: 0161 615 0500 or book online at www.greenroomarts.org . All events at the green room, 54-56 Whitworth Street West, Manchester, M1 5WW.
§ Crikey Mikey written and performed by Robin Graham. Poetry/Story-telling, 2pm Sunday 10 October. All tickets £5. Join Crikey Mikey as he discovers the wonders of Ghana and hear as he tries to discover his place in the world. Delightfully poetic story-telling for anyone aged 5+ . There's also a free workshop where you can discover more about West Africa. Part of 'Acts of Achievement 2004' for Black History Month.
§ The Fish's Wishes by Lyngo Theatre. Puppetry/story-telling. 2pm Sunday 14 November. All tickets £5. Italy's Lyngo Theatre return with this charming tale of a little vegetarian fish and his quest for the answers to life's enormous questions like Why is the sky blue? Suitable for all aged 4+ Followed by a water-themed workshop!
§ Green Christmas Making sessions/story-telling. From 11am Sunday 12 December. Cost £10 including food (for up to 1 child and 2 adults). It's bah humbug to panto as greenroom offers a day of green-themed activities where you can make gifts and cards from recycled materials, learn how to make paper and create alternative seasonal stories. Book early - this is popular already!
§ GEORGE'S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE by ROALD DAHL (adapted by Stuart Paterson) at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, Fri 26 Nov 2004 - Sat 8 Jan 2005. A huge favourite with children and 'big kids' across the world, GEORGE'S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE is a wonderful Roald Dahl story, at his entrancing best. Suitable for children aged 4 and over and their friends and families. Book online via www.familyfriendly.org.uk or directly through the Octagon Theatre Box Office T: 01204 520661 www.octagonbolton.co.uk/George.htm
§ ROGER McGOUGH and BRIAN PATTEN present The Monsters' Guide to Choosing a Pet on Sunday October 10th 2004 at 3pm. Based at the Library Theatre, Manchester, this is a poetry show for all the family. Monster Liverpool poets reveal the truth about pets. Which one lives on the roof? Which one looks good in pink? How to teach a giraffe to swim. More devilish stuff and nonsense from Britain's dodgiest poetry duo as their animal versification hares across the stage. Would you lend them a goldfish? Tickets from £8 (Family Tickets available). Contact the Box Office on T: 0161 236 7110 or book online: www.librarytheatre.com
§ The next meeting for the North West Early Arts Champions Group is on Thursday 23rd September at 11am in Manchester. Membership is being opened up now to all interested parties to share their practice and gain an insight into the work of other regional organisations. Presentations on the Sure Start review, the Arts Mark for Early Years scheme and regional case studies of creative practice in early years settings will take place.
§ 'The Child, A Creative Being' , St Helens Early Years Conference is to be held on 12 November at Haydock Park Racecourse Conference Centre from 9am to 4pm. In addition to the key speakers Prof Iram Siraj-Blatchford and Penny Vines, there will be workshops conducted by Giles Barrow, Laura Chapman, Sue Pearson, Viv Roberts and Becky Wood around the child as a creative being in every sense. Cost: £90 - £100. Booking form here or contact Adelle Rasul, St Helens Early Years and Childcare Team, T: 01744 677121.
Early arts e-bulletin is prepared by Ruth Churchill Dower, Director, Isaacs UK on behalf of the north west earlyarts network. For further information, please contact Ruth on 01484 688407. To submit articles and events for the next e-bulletin, please contact Susan Hirst, Isaacs UK Administrator on 01484 685869
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