Lights, Shadows, Mirrors
The Cambridge Centre for Curiosity & Imagination (CCCI) has developed a series of imaginative and groundbreaking projects on exploring creativity, both in the community and in educational settings. The work of CCI is child/person-centred, process-led and site specific. CCI has developed links with the major arts centres and galleries in the region and has pioneered many new and innovative programmes, such as the creative workshops for families at Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge. See www.cambridgecandi.org.uk
Curiosity at Coram
The outdoor spaces at the Coram Family site in central London (which includes nurseries, homeless family projects and a centre for children with disabilities) have been transformed into a Centre for Curiosity & Imagination. Children can explore water, sound and materials in the science garden, scale the Communication Tower and enjoy arts events in the courtyard. There is also an interactive garden for under 2s. Children and parents from all the various projects on site have been involved in developing the spaces, as well as local galleries and businesses. See www.coram.org.uk
Ghost Camp, Salford Lads and Girls Club
The Ghost Camp project involved a radio play, drama workshops and an exhibition based on an ill -fated camping trip planned by Salford Lads Club in 1940. The camp was cancelled at the last minute due to travel restrictions imposed because Germany invaded Holland. Striking images of the ghost camp, on postcard and film from the club’s archives, became the haunting inspiration for club members, local schoolchildren, volunteers and actors to explore the history of the club and the impact of World War II on its members. The Club also worked with Ordsall Community Arts to create three day workshops for primary schools.
www.salfordladsclub.org.uk/news
Creative Minds Eureka!, The Museum for Children in Halifax, is the first and foremost hands-on children’s museum in the UK and is designed especially for 0–11 year olds. There are more than 400 exhibits encouraging full use of the senses to discover, touch and feel, play and learn, and a full programme of interactive events and activities. The many galleries include two especially for under-5s, SoundSpace, and Me and my Body. Eureka’s ‘Creative Minds’ project worked with Museums, Libraries and Archives across the Yorkshire and Humber Region to provide children with learning opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM) and spread new ways of engaging children with STEM throughout the area,.from 2003 to 2006.
www.eureka.org.uk
Silvery Threads
Broughty Ferry Environmental Project linked up with local craftspeople and older members of the community in Dundee, to deliver this summer holiday project. Children learned a whole range of traditional crafts which use plant materials native to the ’Silvery Tay’ estuary – including knot tying, willow weaving, felting, rush candle-making and bramble rope work. The children worked together on collaborative projects and passed on the skills to other children and parents. They all contributed to a large willow sculpture which then toured Scotland. The project had a great impact on social relationships, particularly between different generations.
www.trp.dundee.ac.uk
Inspiring sci-art Inspire is a hands-on, family-focused science centre in Norwich which runs many outreach based activities. One of these was a collaboration with the local hospital and School of Art and Design. An artist and volunteer students from the art school worked with INSPIRE over a period of two weeks to develop a series of boxes aimed at inspiring children to investigate sight and perception, including a shadow puppet box, a theatre with movable scenery and characters and two boxes of optical illusions. These were taken to the children’s department at the hospital – in some cases to the children’s beds – and then used with schools in conjunction with an interactive show.
www.inspirediscoverycentre.com
