Find Your Talent is an exciting landmark arts education change programme being piloted in the Liverpool city region which asks, what would it take to give every child and young person the chance to experience high quality cultural activities for at least five hours a week?

The Culture Matters e-newsletter will provide regular updates about the Find Your Talent programme as well as news, views, culture and creative learning opportunities. Signing up is simple - just email databaseteam@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk  with 'Join Culture Matters' in the subject and you’ll be amongst the first to hear about these valuable opportunities. What’s more if you opt in you will be added in to a draw to win a family ticket to the private view of Plantastic at World Museum in February!

Lead image: © Simon Webb
 

Liverpool Reads this year gave away 20,000 copies of The Savage written by David Almond and illustrated by Dave McKean to encourage reading and sharing amongst families, friends, colleagues and neighbours. They also developed an online resource with help from the Bluecoat, and Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens Libraries, to support further thinking and discussion around the issues raised. In the new year The Reader Organisation are running ‘Get Into Reading’ groups in six schools with pupils, staff and parents. This leading social outreach project helps to build confidence and improve wellbeing through reading for pleasure. 

Image: Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service kicks off Liverpool Reads

Ancient Egyptian Adventure is an innovative Key Stage 2 outreach programme developed by National Museums Liverpool in partnership with Hope Street Limited . The project is being delivered in 63 targeted schools in Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens. The theme of ancient Egypt provides a captivating starting point for literacy and cross-curricula activity. During a performance of Ancient Egyptian Adventure – the Secret of the Jewelled Heart, the children follow intrepid explorers on to a ‘pyramid tomb’ stage set to make some remarkable discoveries.

This comprehensive programme includes an assembly, workshops, loan boxes, a celebratory and sharing event and a follow-up visit to the museum. The project captures children’s attention by putting them at the heart of the action. The response so far has been fantastic, with one head teacher calling the day ‘outstanding’. Listen to a podcast of the story and view online resources.
 

A creative recycling pilot project in St Helens will draw influence from the Reggio Emilia Approach where an artist and an educationalist work alongside each other in equal collaboration. The internationally acclaimed approach uses unusual and ordinary recycled objects as stimuli for children’s play, learning, physical, social and creative development. Early years practitioners in St Helens have demonstrated enthusiasm for the practice through their attendance at CPD sessions and study trips. Pilot sessions ran at St Helens Festival and research is currently being undertaken in local children’s centres to inform the project. For more information or to get involved please email Nicola Clarke or call on 07827 988474

Image: © Claire Weetman, Visual Artist

All Knowsley’s new centres for learning will soon be able to boast permanent pieces of public art works in their new state of the art buildings. All Saints Catholic Centre for Learning is working with artist Adrian Moakes , and Kirkby Sports College Centre for Learning is working with artist Faith Bebbington on these exciting projects. The artists will work alongside the pupils and school community to explore themes, create a design and produce a public sculpture to go on permanent display in a prominent place within the school. This work has been commissioned by Knowsley MBC Arts & Heritage Service working along side six new centres for learning. Find out more about Building Schools for the Future.

The Citadel Arts Centre has secured a grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s Young Peoples Fund 2 programme to run a three year project, Music Mecca. This will enable young people aged 10-18 in the borough, including those who are disadvantaged or disengaged, to participate in weekly music workshops and access monthly dry bar music events at the Citadel. There will also be a new Citadel interactive website. The unique project was conceived and led by young people in St Helens, through consultation with the Citadel, and the successful bid was supported by St Helens Council’s Cultural Funding Advisor. The programme launches in January 2010 and workshops will be free to attend. For more information please contact Fay Lamb, Citadel Chief Executive on 01744 762304 or email faylamb@citadel.org.uk