In 2009 all Cultural Ambassadors were invited to apply for a grant of up to £250, which they could match fund to bring an artist into school or to pay for a creative CPD session.

Whickham School was one of the recipients of the grant, which they used to fund workshops with Cultural Partner Dylan Baker. Here is their report of the project:

The new Creative and Media Higher Diploma course got off to a great start last term thanks to our Cultural Ambassador Grant. Staff and students were privileged to work with Cultural Partner and photographer Dylan Baker, who provided an excellent learning experience for both staff and students. Indeed it was described as the best CPD event ever! Inspired by the Twilight novels, a theme of Dark Romance was chosen and this is how Louise from Year 10 described the day:-

"We visited Dylan Baker, a professional photographer, at his studio in Gilesgate, Durham to find out about his job, learn about photographic techniques and to take part in a fashion photo shoot.  Dylan organised a great day for us.  Firstly we worked with a make-up artist to create the Dark Romance look on the model. Once she was ready, we went out on location to nearby woods. While taking digital photographs of the model, who posed in a variety of places around the woods, we learnt about lighting, reflection, focus, composition and other photographic techniques. 

After lunch we took part in a second photo shoot back in the studio. This session was a head shot, aimed more towards beauty than fashion. Dylan taught us how to use a professional camera and equipment to enhance the quality of the photograph, such as the backdrop, spot lights and reflector. The photos will be displayed for public viewing soon.  We really enjoyed the day and would like to experience something similar again."

We can't praise Dylan highly enough for such a fabulous experience!

Watch this space for news of how the other grants were spent!...

Future funding opportunities will be announced in the fortnightly e-bulletins.

Looking for something to do over half term? Why not try some of these activities:

Design your own t-shirt at the Laing Gallery, 1.30pm - 3.30pm on Monday 15 February. T-shirts will be provided at this free session.

Get busy with Action Art in free sessions at Baltic, 11am - 4pm every day between 15 and 21 February. Using different movements and actions along with brightly coloured paint and a variety of materials, help to create a colourful and dynamic large scale artwork which will be displayed outside Baltic.

Join in with jungle art at Gateshead Old Town Hall on Friday 19 February. Make a tribal mask, crocodile collage, giraffe hand puppet or jungle picture with the help of Cultural Partner Crafty Creatures. Session for under 5s 11am - 12noon, and for 3 - 9 year olds, 1-3pm.

Make an electromechanical bugbot at the Centre for Life and build an obstacle course to test it out on. Saturday 13 February, suitable for ages 13+. £5 per ticket, booking essential.

Be amazed by the Harry Potter magic show at Walker Library on Tuesday 16 February (2pm) and East End Library on Wednesday 17 February (11am). Free but booking essential.

Do you know of other creative activities going on in Newcastle and Gateshead at half term? Why not leave a comment to tell other website users about them?

Now here's something you don't see every day - a night out at the theatre on us!

If you're under 26 and want to try something different,
then you can get free tickets to some of the best shows around.
Go to www.newcastletheatres.org.uk to find participating theatres
and book some free tickets!

The Avison Ensemble in partnership with Gateshead Schools Music Service presents a Music Celebration Day on Wednesday 10 February at the Dryden Centre, Evistones Road, Gateshead, which is free to schools, groups and Cultural Ambassadors.

It's free for anyone to drop in between 10am and 4pm, to have a go at musical instrument taster sessions, massed vocal sessions and music workshops. Over 1,000 young people are expected to attend this event which is suitable even for complete beginners!

The Celebration Day will end with a concert at 6pm, featuring Gateshead Young Orchestra, Senior Windband and swing band 'Paraphernalia'.

For details please email frances@avisonensemble.com

National Storytelling week takes place 1 - 7 February, and there are plenty of Cultural Partners available to help you mark the occasion!

Taffy Thomas has just been named the UK's first ever Laureate for Storytelling, and you can hear him at Seven Stories on Saturday 6 February. For details click here.

For details of storytellers available to visit your setting, please see your Directory of Cultural Partners, or contact your Network Coordinator: Hannahmackay@gateshead.gov.uk or Caroline.pearce@newcastle.gov.uk

Are you wondering how to generate creativity in the classroom?

The Creative Partnerships 'Connect Through Creativity' market place event can help your school become wired up to new ways of learning.

Come along and meet with a variety of practitioners and organisations from the creative and cultural sectors across the region. Be inspired through our Creativity Workshops and get buzzing with new ideas for teaching. This is a chance to network with a wide variety of creative professionals, discover new approaches to learning and spark off your enthusiasm for creativity.

The event takes place on Wednesday 27 January 2010 at Discovery Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne.

To book your place, please R.S.V.P. to andrew.thorp@twmuseums.org.uk before 15 January 2010.

Saturday 13 - Sunday 21 February

Dive in to the utterly fabulous and extremely wonderful world of Clarice Bean, Charlie and Lola with a whole week of fun at Seven Stories! Celebrating the launch of a shiny brand new Lauren Child exhibition, join Seven Stories for daily storytimes featuring your favourite characters!

Come and join in a collage workshop, have a go at animation, listen to stories of your favourite characters, and even meet Lauren Child herself!

For details of events click here.

To find out about special events for teachers and students click here.

In September 2009 the Play Providers Association (PPA) launched a scheme in which children across the UK will have access to £2m worth of free indoor play.

The Play4Life scheme is helping to deliver the active side of the government's Change4Life campaign, promoting healthier lifestyles among children. Indoor play centres have been found to help children develop socially, emotionally and physically, encouraging them to workout without realising it.

Ambassadors are invited to direct families to the Play Providers website, where they can find their nearest indoor play centre.

Concerts promoted by the Avison Ensemble are offered free of charge to young people up to the age of 18, all students and anyone on low incomes.

If you are interested in obtaining individual or group tickets for any Avison Ensemble event, please contact Frances Benton, Development Director at frances@avisonensemble.com or visit our website for our contact details.

Free tickets are offered subject to seating availability and by advanced arrangement with the Avison Ensemble management.

www.avisonensemble.com

Keep up to date with our concerts and events on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Avison-Ensemble/145540976173

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AvisonEnsemble

Check out our photos www.flickr.com/photos/avisonensemble

Windy Nook Primary School have enjoyed an International Arts Week as part of their Creative Curriculum.

Pictured are Year 5 / 6 pupils doing an African drumming and gumboot dance workshop with Cultural Partner Arts Isiziba. Year 3 / 4 enjoyed working with John Treherne from Gateshead Schools Music Service, who delivered a fun and informative French workshop, involving plenty of singing and dancing.

Each class chose a focus country for the week. They researched their country to produce booklets, flags and displays, and then took part in an 'International Cafe' to further their knowledge about their country and excite their tastebuds!
Parents joined in assemblies, classroom activities (such as work on the Chinese Zodiac) and cooking. The week was great fun for staff and children, one of whom commented, "I liked it when our mams, dads and Grandparents came into school to help us." Another pupil summed up the experience, saying "Yippee, the whole week was fun!"
Teachers agreed that the week was "totally engaging for the children". The chance to learn about others through various activities and a sponsored event made the week a valuable learning experience.
 

If you're planning an International Arts Week remember to contact your Network Coordinator for details of Cultural Partners you might like to work with: Hannahmackay@gateshead.gov.uk or Caroline.pearce@newcastle.gov.uk

From Music Leader North East and The Sage Gateshead and led by Community Musicians Hugh Nankivell, Dave Camlin, Beccy Owen and Rob Kitchen, this practical and creative course will consider a wide range of approaches to help you develop positive techniques for leading music-making with groups.

wheN?
Monday 26th October to Wednesday 28th October 2009
If you are unable to come on Monday night you can join us on Tuesday morning.

www.musicleader.net.
Booking deadline - Monday 5th October, 12pm.
Contact north-east@musicleader.net or ring Amy Higgs on 0191 443 4592 for further information.

WaysIntoWorkshops09 Flyer.pdf
Ways into Workshop 09 booking form.doc

Everyone has a story to tell. Every person, every animal, every tree

has a story to tell. Not all stories have words.

Anjali's story begins in India.

The UK premier of this dynamic production for children aged 7+ is presented as part of an exciting exchange of work between Theatre Hullaballoo (UK) and Theatre Direct (Canada)

for more information see attachments or www.theatrehullaballoo.org.uk

Banyan Tree 1.pdf; Banyan Tree 2.pdf

Join us for a lively, lyrical adventure in Michael Rosen's award-winning We're Going On A Bear Hunt live on stage at the Theatre Royal Newcastle from Thursday 8 - Saturday 10 October.  

Book now, simply call Group Sales on 08448 11 21 22 or email groupbookings@theatreroyal.co.uk. For a sneak preview of the show visit www.bearhuntlive.com.

Suitable ages 3+

Running time 55 mins (no interval)

Continue reading "Going on a Bear Hunt at Theatre Royal" »

Artists and educators are invited to this one day conference at Alnwick Garden on Monday 28 September.

Delegates will explore the potential for playing, learning and working creatively in an outdoor environment. Based in Alnwick Garden's stunning grounds, this course will involve hands on experience of playing outdoors, presentations and discussion groups.

This event is organised by Sightlines Initiative, which advocates and demonstrates the development of creative and reflective early years pedagogy in the UK. For details of this conference and other events click here.

September 2009 begins The Year of Music

A national campaign to give every child the chance to get more from music, launched with  a week of activity and events across the country.

One of the days (likely to be Friday 11th September) will involve the creation of a Dawn Chorus, where commuters witness a morning of song and dance by children across the entire city of Newcastle in public places such Central Station and Tyne Bridge. Children will be taking over the airwaves, co-presenting on radio stations and reporting on the events happening around the city.

The year will showcase the wide range of musical experiences available to children and young people.  It will encourage them to find their talent and get involved in music.  They can work with professional musicians, DJs, orchestras, lyricists and performers.

If you have a group of young people who would like to take part, please contact Sarah-Jane King at Freud Communications;

phone 020 3003 6354, or email sarah-jane.king@freud.com