The Third Arts Award Forum - Discovering Arts Award in Folkestone...

On Wednesday 23rd October, we visited the Quarterhouse in Folkestone to deliver our third Arts Award Forum. This time we were looking at the Discover and Explore program and got a chance to discuss ideas and they way the program runs with Leanne Macdonald from Artswork, South East.

Please feel free to share and use our ideas in your Arts Award Delivery...

Discover:

The Discover program is designed for younger children and there are different workbooks for a different variation of age groups( KS1-KS3). Here are an example of some of the books :

There are three parts of the Discover program, these are:

A) Discover - What can you learn about/discover?
B) Explore- What artist can you research?
C) Share - How are you going to present it? (Can be one to one.)


OUR ACTIVITY 

In groups we planned how to run an Discover programme both in an education setting and outside.

WITHIN SCHOOL

The 'school group' decided they would theme their work around nature, forest schools and their local environments.

Discover:

• Out door workshops to gather natural materials and using them to create art.

• Kites - history and DT/design elements

• Use of local areas such as a church - grave stones, stained glass windows etc.

Explore: 

• Nature artists
• Historical aspects of local area
• Religious artists

Share: 

• Use of church, assemblies, presentations, arts evenings and open afternoons where children can take parents round and share what they are doing.

Extra Curricular

The 'outside of school group' decided to look at Gulbenkian Youth Theatre and the Youth Service. Here were some of the points they discussed:

• We decided the Youth Theatre are already discovering the Arts by participating in weekliy session. They look at a number of different art forms e.g. mask making, poetry, technical theatre. Incorporating all skills.

• The group decided that the Youth Service could run taster and drop in sessions so that young people could discover the Arts and make their own choice of what they would like to focus on.
•  The use of Pintrest was discussed as an effective method of keeping different ideas on.
• The group felt that there needed to be greater awareness of Arts Award within the host organisations so thatcould be effectively run with assistance from non trained staff.

Explore:

• The group thought a buddy systems with Arts venues for tickets to shows and day trips to visit places would improve the cultiral offering

• Youth Service to encourage more visits to different arts venues identified by the young people.

Share:

• Pinterest - easily and quickly share ideas with people

• Gulbenkian Youth Theatre can share with their group in session tme

• Awards ceremonies, press coverage ... BUFFET!

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR ARTS AWARD DISCOVER AND EXPLORE STORIES...

Comic strips that have stood the test of time | Arts Award Voice

Comic strips that have stood the test of time | Arts Award Voice

An answer to some of our school questions?

An interesting article from Arts Professional on how to use Arts Award in school, a hot topic at many of our forums! http://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/269/feature/arts-accreditation-schools?utm_source=Weekly-Good-Reads&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Arts-accreditation-in-schools&utm_campaign=14th-November-2013

4th Arts Award Forum

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DISCOUNT THEATRE TICKETS

We are super excited to offer discounted tickets to this show for all forum participants at Quarterhouse, Folkestone.

Moon Project

Wed 23 Oct

Stillpoint Theatre

Directed by Paul Hodson & Emma Roberts

Two people suffer nostalgia for impossible futures:

Shahab yearns for home but cannot return.

Leila yearns for transcendence but cannot escape.

One day their lives collide and everything atomises. How do we recover, when, in a single moment, everything we thought we knew is blown into a billion pieces? A play about looking back at earth from the moon.

‘Deft, detailed theatre for the brain and heart’ Tim Crouch

Winner, Outstanding Theatre (Fringe Review, 2010)

You can sign up for the forum here 

An Update from Trinity

Support Surgeries
There are lots of new dates to help you with any Arts Award issues

Training dates
Have you yet to train or know someone who would like to? There is a list of training dates that go up to March 2014 on the website.

Trinity publications
Please also note that there are new 2013/14 Arts Award guides - you can order these through the Trinity website.

Adviser forums
The forums now have a page on the Arts Award website, check out what other forums are doing!

Arts Award Advisers' Forum Three

Event Registration Online for Encourage: Kent Arts Award Advisors Forum Three powered by Eventbrite

How can we encourage good leadership skills?

Maidstone Museum’s beautiful Library was the setting for our second Arts Awards Advisers’ Forum.  During the short two hour session we managed to cram in a huge amount of information, discussion and debate, which I will aim to summarise here.  This session focused mainly on the Bronze ‘Sharing an Arts Skill’ component and Silver Unit 2, ‘Arts Leadership’

The attendees had a huge range of experience from those that had not yet managed to run the Award to those trained in all stages. This was fantastic as it meant that we could start to envisage a ‘buddy’ type system where more experienced Advisers could assist those not so practised.  If this is something you would like us to develop further please let us know.

The session began with Sam Sladden leading the group in a drama session. Sam is a young person who completed the Silver Arts Award two years ago, and has since gone on to speak at regional conferences and be considered for the privilege of being the next Arts Award Case Study.  We asked Sam to demonstrate an example of what could be considered appropriate for the leadership sections of the award. He took the group through some drama warm ups and then gave us a piece of his script (written for his Arts Award) and asked us to work through the design elements of it. This was an insightful task that allowed the attendees, who work in all different disciplines, to play to their strengths and interpret the activity in their own unique ways.

This lead to a follow on from last week’s session where we came to the conclusion that in a school setting where Advisers feel they must encourage the whole group to work on the same project, using a stimulus could be a fantastic way of encouraging individuality, without providing lots of extra work for the Adviser. A stimulus could be presented, such as a script, a painting or piece of music and individuals could then focus on it in their own way, or smaller groups could be set up to focus on a particular aspect.

After Sam’s workshop we discussed the concept of ‘leadership’ and what qualities we can look to build on to create young leaders (see below for the group’s interpretation of a leader).  There was a huge list, most of which you should be able to see in the images below. 

       

We also discussed examples of when a student had done the majority of work for an award without realising it. For example, Vicki discussed her experience of a group of boys at a youth centre who had organised DJ workshops for others. They had managed the whole event, and had evidenced it all in the form of photography and so had only a small amount of work to put in to achieve an award. Other attendees also mentioned that this had happened with students they know. For some people the leadership qualities are absolutely already there, it can just be a question of drawing attention to them. For others it can be a little more difficult but by focusing on some of the qualities below they will soon become aware that they are in possession of at least a couple of them.

We also discussed a number of different ways of ‘passing it on’ including mass cross-teaching (as suggested by Turner Contemporary in the last Forum), including a q&a after a performance and a summer fete where students can teach a craft etc they have learnt.  There are many, many more ways and we would like to compile a list. If you feel like you can add to this discussion, or expand our list please let us know.

What is the difference in delivering Arts Award in a curricular v's an extracurricular setting?

We opened our discussion at the first forum with the question 'How to engage young people in Arts Award?' This lead to a variety of responses and engaging stories about people's experiences. What separated the group however, was where Arts Award was delivered and in what context. The two camps seemed to be:

•  'Curricular' - delivered within a school setting, by teachers, during lesson time or attached to a school project i.e. a school play
•  'Extracurricular'- delivered by an arts organisation or group, lead by artists or practitioners and either long term or short term.

We chatted about the pros and cons of each:

Curricular Pros

• Participants are constant
• Sessions can be planned in advance
• The school/parents will fund the cost of the award
• Adviser's time and training is paid for in the role of teacher
• Additional costs such as materials are absorbed by the school

Curricular Cons

• How does it fit practically for schools?
• The award is an 'attachment' to the existing programme and some pupils don't realise they are doing it!
• All students tend to follow the same route e.g. all have to focus on the same art form, programme of work etc.
• Sparking interest or independent research is potentially difficult

   Extracurricular Pros

• It is easy to get young people interested as they are already on board!
• Young people set their own challenge, or the challenge is set by their interests
• Choosing their own art form means young people are in control
• Developing the award in an individual way and a more organic approach to learning
• Higher success rate in experience, confidence building and leadership

Extracurricular Cons

• Difficult to fund/ make financially viable
• If you charge do only those who can afford it do it?
• Regular access to young people
• Consistency of young people's attendance
• Getting started once you have trained! This was a major point we focused on; newly trained Advisers need the support to start a group, as as an independent facilitator it can seem a scary/unachievable prospect

  
Extra-curricular vs curriculum   

HOW DO YOU ALLOW FREEDOM AND CHOICE WITHIN THE CURRICULUM?
HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO MAINTAIN FLEXIBILITY WITHIN THE CLASSROOM?







Solutions

These are some of the solutions advisers came up with:

General

• When working flexibly create 'I-books' for individuals to keep rough work in one place. These can then be pulled apart to make personal portfolios later - Thank you Leanne!
• Recording Kent's Arts Award success stories on this site to give other advisers ideas about innovative ways of delivering. If you are an adviser with such a story, please contact us to tell us about it!

Curricular 

• To open up the 'Leadership' section of both Bronze and Silver it was suggested that Primary and Secondary schools could can link projects, with Secondary groups delivering their projects to Primary groups and inspiring interest in Discover and Explore for primary ages.
• In the Bronze 'Heroes and Heroines' unit and Silver 'find out about artists and arts organisations' schools would benefit from 'real artists' visiting the schools. Some attendees spoke about how this was successful in inspiring young people to take up the award whilst also providing first hand contact for students to inquire about careers within the Arts.
• Schools can find organisations/individuals who deliver certain parts of the award here

Extracurricular 

• Artists can collaborate with services such as the Youth Service to deliver Arts Award
• Venues can become Arts Award Supporters and encourage those undertaking the award to visit. Find out more here 
• When writing funding bids for projects with young people build Arts Award into the costs.
• Promote the work you do and are able to offer by becoming one of our profiled advisers
• Apply for Arts Awards Access Fund

Please feel free to comment below and contribute to this discussion, we want to hear your opinion!

A book binding tutorial from our first forum

I first learnt how to ‘book bind’ with Jo Dyer at Animate Arts , and the addiction began. Just about everyone I know has received one of these wonderful little books from me. Whether receiving them or making them everyone is amazed at how lovely they are. So I decided to share the tutorial with you.

I frequently use this workshop as a starter to The Arts Award as they make fantastic and personalised portfolios that everyone wants to fill.

For our first Kent Arts Award Advisers Forum we decided to pass the skill on once again to ‘encourage’ people to share the award with more people.

This is me looking proud with my first ever creation!

Here is the tutorial...

You will need:

•  card (this can be nice spangly new card or even better re-purposed from packaging like cereal boxes and the back of pads of lined paper)

•  Scissors

•  Glue (stick or spray is best as it doesn't wrinkle the paper)

•  Gummed tape (the kind used in mounting pictures) or masking tape

•  Paper for pages

•  A needle and thread

•  Paper for your cover (wrapping paper or something special that you have saved)

•  materials to decorate

First you begin by placing two pieces of card together with a small gap between them (this allows your book to close better and not gape open). Create the spine of your book by taping the two pieces of card together.

Lay your cardboard on top of your chosen cover paper and cut out the corners as though you are wrapping a present. If your paper is to small to cover both pieces you can always do the covers individually as in the picture.

Once the pages are cut you are ready to glue.  Do one side at a time gluing the paper down to create the front and back cover (smoothing any bubbles) then glue the flaps. Make sure the covered side is neat, don't worry about the inside at the moment as you will neaten this later. 

Now leave this section to dry...

Next to make the pages! Fold the size of papers you wish to have inside your book (It's best to fold them separately as they sit together nicely). Use a pin to prick some holes down the fold, at about an inch apart, depending on the size of your book. With a needle and thread do a basic in and out stitch down the length of the spine then come back up filling the gaps. ‘Wow I can sew!’ says anyone who can’t sew. As a tip start and end on the outside so you don't see any threads inside your book.

Now it’s time to glue the first and last pages to your book. Cover the surface of your first paper page with glue. Position your paper pages inside the cardboard cover making sure the spine sits in the gap. Stick the first page to the cover. Then you do the same with your last page. Your book is almost there! 


Where the pages are glued to the book glue some other paper over it if you wish to make it look really smart and hide the binding.

Now comes the best bit, decorating! We used stamps to personalise the books and scrapbooking/card making supplies to add embellishments. You can make fastenings to close the book from ribbon or string.

This is an example of one of the first Arts Award activities inside the portfolio.

And here are our finished books waiting to be used:

Participants: Wide Eyed Theatre, Kent Arts Award Advisers, and Fran and George who are doing their Arts Award

Venue: Turner Contemporary, Margate

Tutorial written by Vicki from Wide Eyed and Fran who is doing her Silver Arts Award

Forum One at the Turner Contemporary

Tonight sees the launch of our first Arts Award Advisors Forum. We are focusing on 'Getting involved' in the Arts Award and creating an Arts Awards Challenge.

Our three main discussion points for for tonight will include:

• How to engage young people in the Arts Award
• How to put your Arts Award Training into practice
• How can the Kent Arts Award Advisers Forum best support you

 We will follow these up with results on our discussions page...

Looking forward to meeting you all.

Next forum announced...

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Our first forum

Join us at The Turner Contemporary for the launch of Kent's Art Award Advisers Forum:

We will be focusing on 'Getting involved' in the Arts Award and creating an Arts Awards Challenge.

The Turner are extending the gallery opening times for participants to view the work currently showing at the gallery, providing a chance to see how they can support your delivery of Arts Award. This will happen between 5pm and 6pm.

This will be followed by a creative session, at 6pm, in learning to book bind with Wide Eyed Theatre, including the chance to network with other Arts Award advisers, creative practitioners, and Arts Award centres.

We will be closing the session with a discussion about experience and best practice including:

• How to engage young people in the Arts Award
• How to put your Arts Award Training into practice
• How can the Kent Arts Award Advisers Forum best support you

Places are limited so please register to secure your place.

Dear Arts Award advisers,

Wide Eyed Theatre is delighted to announce that we will be facilitating the new Arts Award forum in Kent 2013/ 14, supported by Artswork, SE Bridge. Working under the title of ‘Encourage: The Arts Award’ we are offering series of events designed to inspire, promote, boost and stimulate Arts Award activity throughout Kent.

We are excited to meet you all and share your varied experiences of delivering Arts Award through five fantastic skills share meetings throughout the county, open to all Arts Award centres and advisers as well as  those interested in training to be an Arts Award adviser.

We are currently looking for exciting arts venues for these events to happen in, so if you would like to be considered or have any suggestions please get in touch.

Our five meetings will be focused on specific areas of Arts Award, and will offer an open skills share by creative professionals as well as a forum of best practice. Each session will include:

A specific focus on Arts Award Bronze and Silver

A ‘play’ session with a chance to be creative and share delivery techniques through an activity lead by a creative professional. Each session is designed to teach new skills we can use practically in our delivery and give something back to you.

A chance to discuss your experiences and share best practice.

Visit varied arts venues to demonstrate how they can support your delivery of Arts Award

The opportunity to network between Arts Award  advisers, creative practitioners, and Arts Award centres.

Don’t worry if you miss a session, as everything will be documented on an online blog and the outcome of conversations will posted here to be read and continued after the events. On the blog we will provide practical advice to all those running and interested in Arts Award. The blog will also act as a database of advisers who are available to offer Arts Award to new or dormant centres.

We look forward to meeting you all.

Vicki & Emma
Wide Eyed Theatre
Copyright © 2013 Wide Eyed Theatre, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Wide Eyed Theatre
Gulbenkian
University of Kent
Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NB
United Kingdom