Creating Connections is an innovative schools project which establishes partnerships between 3 inner-city Nottingham Schools and 3 schools beyond the city including Asquith Primary and The Brunts Academy, Mansfield. Working with New Art Exchange and Nottingham Trent University.
One class from each school with a culturally diverse pupil base has formed a partnership with one class from a school serving a less culturally diverse community.
Ruth Lewis Jones Learning Producer at New Art Exchange said: "The project aims to nurture understanding and empathy between young people from diverse cultural backgrounds; to celebrate the cultural lives of young people and to combine art with philosophical discussion to explore challenging issues such as racism and other issues related to difference."
The scheme began in February 2020 and welcomed Nottingham Girls Academy and The Brunts Academy for their first session. During the first workshop children discussed the importance of welcoming strangers and being kind to those who appear different from us. Throughout the project young people will learn about unfamiliar cultures and faiths, gain new art skills, experience contemporary art and make new friends.
We were about halfway through the project before it was interrupted by Covid-19 and we are looking forward to continuing the project when it's possible.
http://www.nae.org.uk/news/creating-connections-project/39
The Creating Connections project was made possible thanks to an award of £10,000 by Art Fund. Art Fund is an independent membership-based British charity, which raises funds to aid the acquisition of artworks for the nation.
