ACA News

Signed Philip Pullman book giveaway

Signed Philip Pullman book giveaway

Signed Philip Pullman book giveaway

We have one signed paperback of Philip Pullman's 'The Secret Commonwealth' to give away! 

Last week saw the publication of Philip Pullman's 'The Secret Commonwealth' in paperback. This book is the much awaited second instalment of the second His Dark Materials Trilogy. To celebrate 25 years since the first His Dark Materials book was published in 1995, we have a free signed copy of The Secret Commonwealth to give away to one person who joins ACA between 18 September and 31 October. The prize-winner will be selected at random.

To be in with a chance of winning, click here to join today! Membership starts at £18/year.

ACA Bursary Memberships

ACA Bursary Memberships

ACA Bursary Memberships

We have thirty free memberships to give away to emerging artists and underrepresented voices!

We are the national voice of children’s arts in the UK. A voluntary organisation working with partners across the four nations to campaign for the right of every child to have access to the arts both in and out of school, regardless of their circumstances. We connect children’s arts practitioners, teachers, and thinkers. We celebrate YOUR work at our annual JM Barrie Awards.

As an ACA Member, you will be joining a network of over 150 freelancers and organisations from the children’s arts industry. Other benefits include:

  • a monthly newsletter rounding up industry news and our charitable activities

  • the opportunity to contribute to our campaigns

  • the chance to have your work showcased on our website and social media channels

  • regular networking events with other ACA members (these are currently online)

  • invitations to ACA conferences and round-tables

  • priority access to the JM Barrie Awards

We offer bursary members to emerging artists, recent graduates and those who are underrepresented in our industry. We do not currently offer bursary memberships to full-time students (however you can join as a student for £18/year). To apply for a bursary membership, please write a single-page covering letter outlining the following:

  • your current experience in children’s arts (please include dates of training)

  • why you have a passion for children’s arts / arts in education

  • how you believe an ACA membership would benefit you

  • what you might contribute to the ACA community

We strongly encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our industry.

Please email mimi.doulton@childrensarts.org.uk to apply. Memberships will be distributed on a rolling basis.

We are also inviting organisations to nominate someone for a bursary membership. Get in touch to find out more.

Children’s Arts Covid-19 fund: recipients

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

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!

Children’s Arts Covid-19 Fund – open for applications

Children’s Arts Covid-19 Fund – open for applications

Children's Arts Covid-19 Fund - open for applications

Action for Children's Arts has raised £3,000 to distribute to children's arts organisations and professionals who have been financially impacted by Covid-19. We will be awarding two grants of £500 to organisations, and eight grants of £250 to individuals.

We will be prioritising those who are ineligible for government support, and who work in smaller art forms. We also particularly encourage applications from individuals and organisations that are new to the industry, who might have less established financial reserves to fall back on.

Deadline: 5pm on Wednesday 27 May 2020

FAQs

I'm from Scotland / Wales / Northern Ireland - am I eligible?

Yes, ACA is a UK-wide organisation and we welcome applications from all four nations.

We are a partnership, rather than a registered company or charity. Can we still apply?

Yes, we will also welcome applications from existing professional partnerships.

 

Homeschooling during Covid19 week seven – creative activities

Homeschooling during Covid19 week seven – creative activities

Homeschooling during Covid19 week seven - creative activities

We're here to help you through another week of home-schooling!

Drama:

Why not try Fly High Stories' plays that you can act out at home? We are very excited that this includes a script by our Chair - Vicky Ireland MBE: https://www.flyhighstories.co.uk/at-home

Our friends at Little Actors Theatre have come up with a weekly lockdown schedule of activities. Definitely worth a visit if you have acting-obsessed little ones: https://www.littleactorstheatre.com/articles_373517.html

Listening

We recommend heading over to Little Radio UK - run by the incredible present Chris Jarvis! Check out their website and find out all the different ways you can listen: https://www.littleradio.co.uk/

How about a story read by our superstar patron Baroness Floella Benjamin? Suitable for kids and big kids alike! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTKRCnHB7YmN69iIbg_JH2w

Music

Don't forget to prepare your submission for the #BBCLockdownOrchestra. You can play, paint or pirouette - just make sure to meet the deadline on Sunday https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/lpcpKcs0Glj7w7hKkJv0Kv/join-the-bbc-lockdown-orchestra-for-you-got-the-love

Home-schooling during Covid19 week five – creative activities

Home-schooling during Covid19 week five – creative activities

Home-schooling during Covid19 week five - creative activities

Are you back to school with the kids this week? Here are our top five creative resources to keep their imaginations alive during homeschooling!

  1. Check out Starcatchers' Wee Inspirations for some fun, low-pressure art as part of your at-home curriculum: https://www.starcatchers.org.uk/wee-inspirations/
  2. Using Google Arts and Culture, you and your kids can explore museum artefacts around the world from the comfort of your living room! https://artsandculture.google.com/
  3. Why not take the family to a concert one evening played by the Berlin Philharmonic? Their award-winning digital concert hall is currently FREE for everyone! We recommend this family 'Toy-Box' to get you hooked: https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/concert/22626
  4. Check out this FANTASTIC blog about keeping creative at home - we particularly liked the page 10 challenge: https://www.anewdirection.org.uk/blog/keeping-creative-at-home-rediscover-your-home-as-a-creative-space
  5. Every morning at 10am you can get moving with the Circus Central free Wake Up and Warm Up class: https://www.circuscentral.co.uk/classes/wake-up-and-warm-up-20200322-195309

Have you got a favourite Stay at Home creative activity that we haven't shared yet? Get in touch via admin@childrensarts.org.uk and let us know all about it!

If you're enjoying this content, please consider donating to our Crowdfunder. All funds raised will be distributed to children's arts organisations and freelancers to help mitigate the financial damage done by Covid19: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-childrens-arts-covid-19-hardship-fund

Homeschooling during Covid19 week four – creative activities

Homeschooling during Covid19 week four – creative activities

Homeschooling during Covid19 week four - creative activities

It may be the 'Easter Holidays', but we are here to help those of you who need entertainment for the smaller people in your lives!

Art

1)  Nothing beats a good bit of colouring in. How about this doing this #ThankYouNHS picture made by Sir Michael Craig-Martin? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/MxHKChgvM08r1fS410jqV/colour-your-own-thank-you-to-nhs-staff

Dance

1) Check out the Sadlers Wells family dance classes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAC0ZTI5pkuzlbdGtV_-bimq6JL5ArVit

Film

1) If you're #homeschooling today, why not introduce your kids to a classic film on @BFI player? https://player.bfi.org.uk/free

2) Check out the ChildNet film-making competition: https://www.childnet.com/resources/film-competition/2020

Literature

1)  We love this book illustrated by Alex Scheffler explaining Coronavirus to kids: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fvBMJ7Eg1xTc9fn5Mh6LnAtO195Cuk2o/view

2) Don't miss the chance to join in with Seven Stories Museum's #kidsbooksinquarantine - this is a great activity for kids and big kids alike to recreate a favourite children's book cover! (Head over to Twitter for some examples...)

Is there a home-schooling activity that you've particularly enjoyed and would like us to share? Send it over to mimi.doulton@childrensarts.org.uk for next week's round up!

 

 

Home-schooling during Covid19 week three – creative activities

Home-schooling during Covid19 week three – creative activities

Home-schooling during Covid19 week three – creative activities

This week’s homeschooling activities are all run by wonderful freelancers! Freelance performers and artists have lost nearly all their income due to Covid19 and need as much support as they can get right now. Most of these activities are free to participate in, but donations are welcomed (and needed) by the artists who have created them.

To get you started, why not try ToddlerTunez’s creative babysitting? https://www.toddlertunez.com

Art

Art Kids are creating great online resources inspired by contemporary artists!  https://www.facebook.com/artkidslondon/?hc_location=ufi

Dance

Try out these fun dance classes at Peekaboo moves: https://www.facebook.com/peekaboomoves/

 

Music

Mini Music Makers – participate in daily musical entertainment for small people, whilst also supporting freelancers during these challenging times: https://www.facebook.com/minimusicmakers/

Sing with Claire: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnB4SKyiMk3kh0eJerifrhQ?fbclid=IwAR2stJip5EXf4FbO9sa_J84LZNq5kq2knFi-tidYHBLAUzpf8wh8XW_Asjc&app=desktop

Story-telling

We’ve been enjoying story time with Mama G, which also includes stories written by children and young people!  https://www.facebook.com/MamaGStories/

JM Barrie Awards: in photos

JM Barrie Awards: in photos

JM Barrie Awards: in photos

Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 JM Barrie Awards! Pictured above from Left to Right: Sir Philip Pullman CBE (winner of the JM Barrie Lifetime Achievement Award); Joseph Middleton, Kathleen Evans and Ewan Gilford (from Leeds Lieder, Members' Award winner); Amanda Craig (Members' Award winner); Josh Parsons and Yvonne Farquharson (from Breathe Magic, JM Barrie Outstanding Contribution Award winner); Matthew Sanders and Diana Schomberg (from Magic Lantern, Members' Award winner).

Thank you to the fantastic team of young people who helped make the awards happen. From Left to Right: Emmerson Sutton, our young presenter; Lilly Kurata (top right), our young pianist; and Albee and Noah Superville, our award presenters.

Members' Award Winners

Left top: Joseph Middleton, Kathleen Evans and Ewan Gilford (Leeds Lieder);

Left bottom: Diana Schomberg, James Mayhew and Matthew Sanders (Magic Lantern);

Right: Amanda Glover

Outstanding Contribution Award - Breathe Magic

Left: Breathe Arts Health Research Founder Yvonne Farquharson with ACA President David Wood OBE

Right top: Breathe Magic patron Jim Carter chats to Sir Philip Pullman

Right bottom: the full Breathe Magic Team