We would say: very early in life, if we only get the chance to.
The European Comission is now negotiating for an increased support to culture in the next EU budget, 2014-2020. The 4-year olds of today will be 12 at the end of that budget period. What chances will they have to explore their own creativity, enjoy art and culture and to make their voices heard?
Creative work with children – how to go about it, and why?
- Earlyarts, a UK based network for people working creatively with children, is a good place to learn more. Their website gathers research and practical toolkits to support creative practices for children and youth.
Can we go to the museum tomorrow... pleeease?
- If parents in the past had to drag their children to the museum, the roles are now changing. Those museums who manage to engage children will find that it is now the children who drag their parents back there, again and again. The Best Children’s Museum Award was launched in 2011, to recognise excellence and innovation in exhibitions for children. Our congratulations to the Tropen Museum Junior in Amsterdam, winner of this award in 2012. If you want to nominate a museum for next year, the deadline is 30 September 2012.
Can creative schools change a country’s future?
- In the US, the Turnaround Arts initiative has been launched to integrate arts education in low-performing schools, as a way to increase students’ motivation and academic achievements. This two-year pilot project will serve as basis to eventually “win America’s future through creative schools”.
Drama at school? The more the better!
- IDEA (International Drama/Theatre and Education Association) works to give all children access to drama. IDEA is currently preparing for next year’s World Congress 8-13 July 2013 in Paris. Has arts education become a global issue? How can drama and education practices become transformative processes? What are the roles and dimensions of languages in drama? Up until 15 October 2012, IDEA welcomes your proposals for papers, workshops and poster presentations.
- Theater Instituut Nederland (TIN, the Dutch Theatre Institute) has recently launched theatereducatie.nl, a website to help teachers integrate theatre in education. It offers information on available performances and workshops, together with inspiring insights and advice from theatre professionals.
Film festivals for children? Yes, turn out the lights!
- DUFF (Dubrovnik Film Festival) is a new festival for 10-20 year old film makers from the Mediterranean countries. The first edition takes place 18-21 October 2012, deadline for entries is 15 August.
- KUKI 5 International Short Film Festival for Children & Youth presents unusual and imaginative films that young people would otherwise not get the chance to see. This years edition: 11-18 November, Berlin, Germany.
Art made BY children? Bring it on!
- The International Canakkale Children’s Biennial 2012 organises a series of workshops and ends with an exhibition of art works made by children (17 November – 16 December Canakkale, Turkey). Children of the age 5-15 can participate, either individually or through their school or other institution. Deadline to apply: 15 October.
- ICCA - the International Children Comics Artist Awards - has just released an online call for young comic artists under 12. The theme in 2012 is "Village where I live in". The submitted art works will be exhibited online, and a jury will select young artists to take part in the Comics Camp on 18-19 August. Art works can be submitted online up until 15 July (South Korean time).
Art made FOR children? They love it!
- Big Art for Little People (Grote Kunst voor Kleine Mensen) is a collection of art videos made for 2-7 year olds. Since the first edition in 2005, the collection has grown and been exhibited in the Netherlands on various occasions. The films are multilingual and are available on DVD.
City planning for children? Great idea!
- Cities for children is a European network of some 70 cities in more than 30 countries, working together to develop progressive models for children in urban environments.
- Fair City– World exhibition at the inauguration of Umeå as European Capital of Culture 2014. With the help of architects and other professionals, 8-year olds will share their creative visions of what their city should be like.
Young media makers? See the world through their eyes!
- The Doc Next Network supports young media makers who tell their own stories about Europe through creative documentaries and political video remixes. The media collection is a great source for anyone to learn about the local realities of young Europeans. The resources are freely available to be used for film screenings, exhibitions and debates. The European Youth Media Trend report (May 2012) gives an insight in the role that media plays in the life of 15-25 year old Europeans.
Young creativity online? Lots of it!
- DIY is an online community of creative children. This is a platform created for children from 6 years and up, to share their creations and get familiar with online technologies in a safe environment.
- NaNoWriMo’s Young Writers program. Young people up to 17 can participate in the National Novel Writing Month in November to write a novel in 30 days. Last year, 80.000 young people across the world took on this challenge, either individually or in their classroom. Any language is welcome.
The ability or desire to create and participate does not start all of a sudden at a certain given age. It is there all the time, but it needs to be given a space and to be taken seriously.
Do you have a story to tell about creative children or young audiences? Do you have other interesting resources or events to share? Please do: blog about it, add it here below or get in touch with us by mail.
