Month: June 2020

ACA response: tests for four-year-olds in English and Maths

Mimi Doulton 25th June 2020 Children's Arts News, Front Page No Comments
ACA response: tests for four-year-olds in English and Maths

ACA response: tests for four-year-olds in English and Maths

Action for Children's Arts (ACA) notes with concern the statement from Gavin Williamson, Education Secretary on Monday 22nd June that the much-criticised and unproven tests in English and Maths for four year olds are still to go ahead. At a time when all sectors of society - and across the political spectrum - have acknowledged the great threat to mental health and wellbeing caused by Covid-19 isolation, it is vital that our priority as a nation should be meeting the need for stability, sociability and communication. These are key factors that must be in place before young children can learn, and they should be our priorities now. Working together, socialising, creating in small and larger groups; all are vital steps back from the situation in which we now find ourselves. We call for the immediate abandonment of these tests and an urgent re-ordering of priorities to help all our children, especially the youngest, to create, communicate and learn.
Whilst we acknowledge there is now a gap in the English education timescale for Nursery and Primary-school children, we urge that the “knowledge deficit” does not lead to undue pressure upon the children, or the removal of arts and creativity in their school lives in order to “catch-up”. Cramming does not work with this age-range. They will catch up far more quickly if they have the arts and creativity in their lives to provide an escape from mental and emotional strain.
We must be extra careful of our children’s mental and physical well-being. They have never needed the time to create, imagine and play within the school environment more. 
 
Vicky Ireland MBE FRSA
Chair
Action for Children’s Arts

Children’s Arts Covid-19 fund: recipients

Mimi Doulton 22nd June 2020 ACA News, Front Page No Comments
Children’s Arts Covid-19 fund: recipients

Children's Arts Covid-19 fund: recipients

In May 2020, Action for Children’s Arts (ACA) ran a crowdfunding initiative, raising money to support children’s arts freelancers and organisations in financial difficulty due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We were delighted to raise almost £4,000 thanks to the generous support of ACA members, patrons, and the arts community.

Our board of Trustees greatly enjoyed considering an impressive selection of applications. Applications were prioritised where we thought our money could make a genuine difference in helping a creative to survive or develop in the face of the ‘new normal’. We have taken the decision to support the following freelancers and organisations:

Ania Straczynska / SE19 Dance

“This grant will be invaluable in helping me to develop better practices for online teaching, through the purchasing of equipment and flooring that is safe for me to dance on. I will also be able to deliver props to class participants, providing a great sensory experience for the young children.”

To find out more visit https://www.se19dance.co.uk/

Assitej UK

“This is fantastic news and a ray of hope we can take to the sector with whom we have had so many conversations recently: the corona-coaster of optimism versus pessimism. Thanks so much to ACA for initiating this scheme and acknowledging our organisation in this way.”

To find out more visit https://tya-uk.org/

Feel Theatre

“We have been creating community based sensory work since late 2016, but officially became a not-for-profit in January 2018, so we are relatively new to the industry. We have been determined to make a big impact from the beginning, however from September 2020 we will not be able to cover our running costs.”

To find out more visit https://www.feeltheatre.co.uk/

Jennifer Jackson, theatre-maker and choreographer

“I believe art that is playful and creates a space for children to see themselves reflected back at themselves, is essential. To that end, I want to continue to explore my work in a digital form.”

To find out more visit https://www.jenniferjackson.net/about

Kelly Smith / Boogie Monsters

“Thank you so much, this is wonderful news, and is really going to help me to bring live music to children online!”

To find out more visit https://boogiemonsters.co.uk/

Laura McFall, musician

“Amazing news! A very nice boost after finishing a contract yesterday.”

Lily German, artist

“Thank you very much to ACA for this generous funding and support during these difficult times. This will make a significant difference to my current situation in these uncertain times and will support the future of my professional practice and working with children in The Arts.”

To find out more visit https://lilygerman.co.uk/workshops/

Lydia Barton Lovett, theatre-maker

“I would like to create a piece of theatre for children with complex needs which is possible to execute safely at this time, and enable other practitioners to do the same.”

Rainbow Stripes

“We have seen over the years first hand how music is very powerful for firstly encouraging children's development, but also for bonding, socialising and bringing communities together. Thank you so much, the grant has really cheered us.”

To find out more visit http://www.rainbowstripes.net/

Sophie Tea Creative Arts

“I literally am over the moon right now and can't thank you enough. I am incredibly excited to be able to use this money to develop my business.”

Teach it through Drama

“The award has given us a lifeline. As we said in our application, it will be reserved to pay for our biggest overhead, which is our prop/costume/set store. Meanwhile, we continue to adapt some of our drama workshops and interactive storytelling shows, which can be viewed free of charge on our YouTube channel.

Thank you again to everyone at Action for Children's Arts. We hope to see you again soon when we can all meet up and celebrate but, meanwhile, we will continue to push for children's arts to be central to the recovery from this dreadful pandemic.”

To find out more visit http://www.teach-it-through-drama.com/

Toubie Jack, artist

“I would love to run a series of online workshops where I show children how to paint a picture of hopes and dreams as I think in this current situation, we need to keep the children thinking positively about their future.”

ACA sponsors Freelance TaskForce member

Mimi Doulton 22nd June 2020 ACA News, Front Page No Comments
ACA sponsors Freelance TaskForce member

ACA sponsors Freelance TaskForce member

We are proud to have sponsored our Development Officer, Mimi Doulton to become a part of the Freelance TaskForce.

The TaskForce was set up by Fuel Theatre following their Open Letter to Theatre and Performance Makers, which ACA signed. The aim of the TaskForce is to give freelancers paid time to work together in June, July and August, campaigning for government support and positive change in the industry. Over 130 organisations have agreed to sponsor a TaskForce member. Each member will act independently of their sponsor organisation.

We asked Mimi how she felt about joining the TaskForce:

"I am thrilled to be joining the Freelance TaskForce at this time of change in the performing arts industries. I hope that it will galvanise the disparate voices of self-employed theatre professionals across the UK to campaign for better government support at this challenging time. I am also excited to be part of a virtual room full of brilliant minds who can envision a better and fairer future for the industry."

We look forward to following the progress of the TaskForce and will keep ACA members updated!