“An amazing learning experience!”

Year 6 Class Teacher, Marvels Lane Primary School, London

picture this is an exciting new range of art and storytelling projects developed in collaboration with artzero children’s art. Designed to open up imaginative approaches to the primary curriculum and to develop children’s confidence and creativity, picture this focuses on the dynamic relationship between learning and the arts. Each project combines storytelling, music and movement with visual experimentation and picture-making, and culminates in a lively performance by the children in front of their own, large-format work of art.

Appealing to different learning styles and across a broad range of ages and abilities, picture this projects are designed to foster language development and literacy together with visual awareness and picture-making expertise. With a focus on promoting teamwork and speaking and listening skills, the projects also help children to develop self-esteem and key social skills.

With cross-curricular links to topics in history, local studies, the natural environment and PSHE, picture this offers an ideal opportunity to celebrate creativity in the classroom.

themes
Each picture this residency addresses a particular area of the curriculum drawn from a ready-made list of themes - narrative structure, the natural environment, teambuilding, creation myths, local landmarks - or is tailor-made in consultation with the school. Recent customised projects include:

Olympic Winners: celebrating children’s aspirations and achievements as part of Five Rings, a wider arts initiative in support of London’s 2012 Olympic bid. Project sponsored by leading international law firm Ashurst and coordinated by Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership.

Confidence & Creativity: improving reading and writing skills through drama games, role-play and storymaking exercises. Part of a larger research programme supported by Arts Council England’s Creative Partnership scheme. See further details here.

Space: investigating our solar system through scientific facts and mythological stories. Project supported by Sage Educational Trust.

outcomes
Each project results in:

• a performance designed to engage the whole school

• a large paper mural (1.8m x 1.8m, or 1.8m x 2.5m) suitable for school display

• a class poster with photos of the children and their pictures

• children’s individual paintings & written project work

Further options include binding the large-format picture and written work into a ‘Big Book’ (85cm x 60cm), and the production of postcards from the children’s artwork.

duration
A project for one class comprises a 4 or 5 day residency in the school. Kevin and the artist work in overlapping sessions, with the class divided into 2 or 3 groups. Each project has 2 to 3 days input from the storyteller and 3 days from the artist. Combined projects for more than one class are also available – allow 4 days per class.