The programme will be a portrait of children in Britain today that celebrates children and young people, and puts their lives and achievements in the spotlight. They are looking for children aged 6-14 whose stories reflect a range of different backgrounds and experiences.

They are looking for:

A Young Carer: a child or young person who is caring for a member of their family who has a physical disability.

A child with a creative passion or a talent that they are pursuing to a high level: someone who is extraordinary not just because of their potential, but because of the circumstances in which they are realising it.

A child from a refugee or asylum-seeking family who are new to Britain: someone who, despite the challenges of linguistic and cultural adjustment, is thriving, and has big dreams and ambitions for the future.

A child or young person who has felt at risk of offending, or who has offended before, but who is pursuing a new goal in life, no matter how big or small.

If this sounds like someone you know, and they are aged between 6-14, then they would like to hear from you. Please get in touch with Sarah: srobinson@mentorn.tv, or Sian, srobins-grace@mentorn.tv. Or you can call 0207 258 6823 or 0207 258 6725.

The ELM project (Exploring Literacy through Museums) is a regional initiative co-ordinated by the North East Regional Museums Hub which brings primary schools and museums together in partnership. Partners work together to develop cross-curricular schemes of work that focus on improving children's writing skills, unlocking museums' potential as inspirational and unique starting points for writing in all forms and genres.

ELM began in 2007 with 5 museums and 5 primary schools in Newcastle. Last year, Gateshead schools were invited to be involved, and now the project is entering its fourth phase. So far, over 1,000 pupils from twenty-nine schools have taken part, and this year ELM will be working with fifteen more schools across the region. The eleven schools in Newcastle and Gateshead who are taking part are:

• Beech Hill Primary School
• Benton Park Primary School
• Kingston Park Primary School
• North Fawdon Primary School
• Waverley Primary School
• Clover Hill Primary School
• Fell Dyke Primary School
• Kelvin Grove Primary School
• St Augustine's RC Primary School
• St Joseph's RC VA Primary School, Highfield
• St Alban's RC Primary School (unfunded)

Read on to find out more about the project...

Crafty Family Fun Mornings

The Allendale Bakery Allen Mills, Allendale, NE47 9EQ with Lapwing Crafts

9.45am -- 12.30pm

Silk painting  *  Salt Dough Moulding  *  Felting Rocks, Pebbles & Balls

Crafty Family Fun Afternoons

Pebbles Gallery & Art Cafe Shield Street, Allendale, NE47 9BP with Lapwing Crafts

2.00pm -- 4.00pm

Drop-in sessions £5.00 per adult

£7.00 for 1 adult + 1 child

£10.00 for 1 adult + 2 children

Fees are per craft. Children must be accompanied by a family member or friend at all times.

If you belong to a play-group and are looking for crafty things to do over the summer we may be able to arrange fun and creative activities for you, your children and your friends.

For further information about Lapwing Crafts click here.

Published by Gateshead Council Arts Development Team in 2003, these packs introduce public art in Gateshead, detail some of the ways education and outreach groups have worked with the Angel, and include design drawings and statistics about the Angel.

If you would like an information pack please contact Hannahmackay@gateshead.gov.uk with your school address.

2009-2010 saw a successful pilot with 10 schools, and the Shakespeare Challenge is now available to all Arts Award centres.

For the Shakespeare Challenge young people are encouraged to engage with Shakespeare's language through a practical exploration of the plays and through experiencing live performance. The Challenge also encourages young people to share their knowledge and passion to other individuals or groups in a younger age range.

To find out more about completing the Shakespeare Challenge and getting Bronze Arts Award click here.

Is your school not yet an Arts Award centre? Click here to find out about becoming a centre and training as an adviser.

There is support available through the Arts Award Access Fund - small grants of up to £500 for disadvantaged groups wanting to work with artists or visit arts events as part of achieving an Arts Award. Deadline for application-15 October 2010.

Read on for more information including contact details...

This summer Fell Dyke Community Primary School and Brighton Avenue Primary School will be joined by Joseph Swan School in opening their grounds to the public for free use of their outdoor facilities and equipment, providing children, young people and their families with a safe place to play at the heart of their community.

View details of activities at the three schools.

Imagine yourself in the magical wood where all the fairy tales take place. If you could join the characters from those tales, would you change any of their stories? Shula, a 'squirgle', sometimes needs a bit of help to do the right thing, but she and the audience have a lot of fun whilst she learns a few lessons about life and how complicated it can be.

Using songs, puppetry and theatre, Winter Wonderings is aimed at children aged 3 - 11. The interactive show links in with the SEAL and Primary Literacy Framework, but more importantly is a fun, thoughtful show about traditional tales, friendship and feelings.

Read on for reviews and to book Winter Wonderings in your setting this winter!

Are you hosting a Family Man Day in your setting, or have you been working with dads and male carers in a creative way? We'd love to hear about your projects - please email Hello@cultureandcreativity.com

First Draft at Live Theatre

There are ten FREE tickets for Cultural Ambassadors - why not come along an enjoy an evening of free entertainments, whilst supporting the next generation of new writing talent? You can claim your free tickets by emailing Emma@live.org.uk by THIS FRIDAY 25 JUNE!

This year's short plays, written by Luyanda, Zinzi, Odete, Didi, Dean and Jade are guaranteed to have you roaring with delight. The children have been working with Drama Workers and Literary Officers to write original plays which will now be performed by professional actors. Live Theatre has challenged a host of established actors and emerging new talent to take on a series of off-the-wall characters.

What is First Draft?

A Drama Worker and Literary Officer from Live Theatre visited Christ Church Primary School in early 2010 to deliver a series of interactive workshops giving pupils the chance to discover all of the ingredients that go into making a good play.

The 30 children involved selected their six favourite stories and the lucky authors then spent an exclusive weekend at Live Theatre working on a one-to-one basis with a professional writer to develop their story into a 10 minute script for two actors to perform. The children then got to meet their cast and director and have the final say on how their tales are told.

The aim is that the young people involved will have an experience they will never forget.

In pairs, the children worked with ceramic artist Sally Danys to create a range of colourful farm animal tiles. These were fired and glazed by Sally, and returned to the school to make a stunning display.

Lapwing Crafts deliver workshops in a range of arts and crafts, including felt making, textile collage, hooky and proggy mat making, silk painting, mosaics and much more. For details visit the Lapwing Crafts website. Don't forget to tell your Network Coordinator about your creative activities (Caroline.pearce@newcastle.gov.uk if you are in Newcastle or Hannahmackay@gateshead.gov.uk if you are in Gateshead).

So if you've been Learning Outside the Classroom in your setting, you may be eligable for an award! Visit the LOtC website for more details. The closing date is 16 July.

https://online.gateshead.gov.uk/EventTicketsOnline/pages/eventdetails.aspx?ky=641

Saturday 10 July, 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Oakfield Infant School has used the Cultural Ambassadors' Grant to develop a project linking music and movement. Year two children attended a workshop with Cultural Partner, Piccolo music. Abi and Anna from Piccolo involved adults and children in learning a variety of singing and clapping songs. Parents and staff came along to join in as well and everyone learned songs which involved Maths, English, Science, PE, French and PSHE. The children were particularly excited when creating their own singing and clapping games.

Read on to find out more about the project and how your school can apply for funding.