Month: August 2018

Arts Backpack UK launch – photos

Arts Backpack UK launch – photos

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

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

 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@childrensarts.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.