Opportunities

TV company Mentorn media is looking for inspirational children and young people whose stories they could follow for a documentary they're producing for ITV 1, provisionally entitled "The Children of Britain."

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.

Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) is about raising achievement through direct, hands-on, practical approaches to learning that bridge the gap between theory and reality. Whether it takes place in the school grounds; on visits to museums, art galleries or farms; through adventure activities or on cultural exchanges abroad, LOtC is a powerful tool that adds value to classroom learning and offers rich, memorable experiences to young people.

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.

Saturday 10 July, 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Five schools in Newcastle and Gateshead have been working with new Cultural Partner Lucy Carlton-Walker to recycle everyday objects into their own landscapes of the future.

 Lucy visited Glynwood Primary, Fellside Primary and Oakfield Juniors in Gateshead, and Walkergate Primary and Waverley Primary in Newcastle, to talk about the work of sculptor Sarah Sze, and inspire the children to creatively explore what their community will look like in 2060.

There were some fantastic inventions and ideas, including remote control teachers, flying houses, underground tunnels to escape air pollution, fortune tellers, and trees that grow money, to name but a few!

Here Matthew Thompson, Acting Head at Oakfield Juniors reports on his class' landscape of the future:

Year 4 at Oakfield Junior School created amazing sculptures to depict the planet in 50 years time. Lucy Carlton-Walker, a professional artist, joined the class and showed us images of sculptures by Sarah Sze, who uses recycled everyday materials to create landscapes of other worlds. We then designed and created our own landscapes of the future.

"It was exciting when we saw all the materials in the classroom after break" Harry Brown-King

"It was fantastic working with Lucy. When the display was finished it looked jaw-dropping!" Caitlin Leverett

"I was amazed to find we could use everyday materials to create our own masterpieces." Olivia Binns.

"It made me want to be a sculptor when I grow up." Matthew Stephenson.

To enquire about sculpture workshops available in your setting, please email Lucycarltonwalker@hotmail.com or contact Hannahmackay@gateshead.gov.uk

Do you know a 13-18 year old living or studying in Newcastle who could be a voice for the young people of the city?

The forthcoming Newcastle Youth Council Elections will take place over ten days from 7 June to 17 June 2010 and Children North East are currently seeking candidates to stand in the election.

Click here for more information.

This summer holiday, Kids Kabin in Walker is offering a week of exciting opportunities for ages 8+. Please include the following in your letters home to families:

The week of activities will take place 9am - 5pm between Monday 2 and Friday 6 August. Activities are for ages 8 - 16, and those age 17+ can volunteer to assist with the running of the programme.

Success For All has plenty of exciting activities for young people in Newcastle. The following activities run weekly during term time, and workshops can also be delivered in your setting. Please mention the following exciting activities to families you work with:

Manga Cartoon Club for 8 - 18 year olds

Monday 5:30-7:00pm at Millin Centre, 160 Ellesmere Road, Benwell, NE4 8TR

Friday 3:15-4:15pm at Walker Technology College, Middle Street, Walker, NE6 4BY

Solution Finder is an ever-expanding directory of information about the services available to children, young people and their families in Gateshead.

There are sections for children & young people, parents & carers, and professionals & practitioners to find the services, advice and facilities they need.

National Glass Centre has lots of creative activities in store to keep kids happy this Easter holiday. From the under 5s, 'Little Artists' and family workshops in glass painting, glass mosaics and sandblasting with help from NGC's studio glass makers, to a fun printmaking workshop with artists Michelle Wood and Jacqueline Quinn, who are also showing some of their work in NGC's current exhibition, 'Aligned'. Children can explore NGC's fascinating glass building by following the Easter chick trail to reach an egg-cellent reward!

Little Artists (under 5's) Friday 9 April, 10.45am-12pm, £6

Easter Egg Trail Follow the Easter Chick's mystery trail throughout NGC to lead you to a chocolate egg reward! Friday 2 - Monday 11 April, 10am - 4pm, £2 per participant

Glass Fused Mosaics (age 6+) Tuesday 6 or Tuesday 13 April, 10-11am, £15

Glass Painting (age 5 +) Wednesday 7 April, 10-11am, £6 per child

Sandblasting (age 5+) Wednesday 14 April, 10-11.30am, £8.50

Family Printmaking Fun (age 10+) Saturday 24 April, drop in from 1-1.30pm or 2.30-3pm. Join artists Michelle Wood and Jacqueline Quinn for hands-on printmaking. Children will get creative and explore printmaking techniques including Mono print and Chine-collé.

To book a place at any of the workshops contact reception on 0191 515 555.

Fell Dyke Primary School have been working with Creative Partnerships on the provocation, 'Can solving a 'real life' school issue engage children in their learning, especially Year 4 boys from emotionally, socially and economically vulnerable families?'

The targeted children in Year 4 will act as 'project managers' and lead the rest of the year group as they explore the possibilities of creating an exciting forest school on our site. They will have a forest adventure of their own in order to generate ideas for the school's plans and will visit children in other settings who have created outdoor environments on a similar theme.

Whickham School has also been using its Creative Partnerships funding to explore outdoor learning, using the provocation 'How can we use outdoor space to create an environment which will enhance pupils' learning experiences?'

Whickham School sees the project as leading to a tangible benefit in the medium long term for pupils who will see the spaces being of benefit until the projected re-build in 2012. It is also expected to be a means of increasing parental and community involvement. Pupils will be designing a Parental Perception Survey, and consultation exercise, and ideas will be disseminated to parents and the wider community through the newsletter.
Those involved will be Year 7 pupils, and form teachers, teachers within English and other curriculum areas, specialist artists, parents, the wider community and Creative Partnerships.

As part of Creative Partnerships, Gibside School has been working on the Enquiry Question ' Does using song and music to support the curriculum encourage enthusiasm to learn?'

Gibside will work with an established musician Steve Jinski, who, together with the staff and children will explore the potential of using song and music to enable children to become more enthusiastic learners, to enable them to access the curriculum in different ways and to enrich their learning.There will be an strong emphasis on CPD for the staff to enable them to develop the confidence to sustain this way of working beyond the end of the project.

Read on to find out more about Gibside School's Creative Partnerships project...

Don't forget, you can apply for funding to explore a creative approach in your school!

Schools in Newcastle and Gateshead are encouraged to apply to become an Enquiry School with Creative Partnerships. This allows you to explore, over the course of academic year 2010/11, how creative learning and teaching can enhance your practice. £3,000 funding is available, to be matched by £1,000 from the school, and applications must be made by 1 June 2010.

The Creative Partnerships website is full of information about how it works and what can be done with the money. In addition, we'll be showcasing Newcastle and Gateshead schools that are currently involved in a Creative Partnerships Enquiry Project... Watch this space for inspiring stories of how local schools are developing their creative approaches.

We'd like to organise an Ambassadors' Networking event in June, but first we want to know what you'd like... The event will take place at Gateshead Old Town Hall (near the Sage Gateshead and Gateshead Metro) and is likely to be between 4 and 6pm one weekday in June. Please take a moment to let us know which of the following you'd be interested in. Please leave a comment or email Hannahmackay@gateshead.gov.uk by Wednesday 29 March:

1. Carnival themed event - a chance to hear from an Ambassador about their experience of working with artists to create a carnival event in school. This would be followed by a session with an artist, in which you'd learn how to make a simple carnival mask. There would be an emphasis on simple technique and affordable materials, to maximise your chances of being able to recreate the activity in your setting.

2. Scrapbooking - Suitable for anyone working with 3 to 11 year olds, this would involve hearing from an Ambassador about how they've used scrapbooks to strengthen the home-school link. This would be followed by a session with an artist in which you'd learn simple and effective scrapbooking techniques that you could use with children in your setting, whether it's a school, nursery, youth group or children's centre.

3. China themed event - a chance to hear from an Ambassador about how they've used Chinese arts and crafts in their school. This would be followed by a session with an artist in which you'd learn a Chinese craft technique, using paper, which you could deliver in your own setting.

4. If you are not interested in any of the above events please let me know - all feedback is useful and I'd be interested to hear if you have a suggestion of another event that you'd prefer.

Between 22 and 26 March there will be fun-filled activities for all the family in Felling. A full timetable can be found here. Highlights for children and young people include:

Monday 22 March

Let's Circus! for 8 years + at Brandling Community Centre, 4 - 5pm.

Kids' Activities for 6 - 10 year olds at Stoneygate Community House, 4 - 5pm.

Fun and Games for 10 years + at Stoneygate MUGA, 4 - 6pm.

Tuesday 23 March

Toddler Storytelling at Brandling Community Centre, 1 - 3pm

Wednesday 23 March

Going Green - children's bird box making and planting activity at Brandling Primary School, 1 - 3pm.

After School Activities for 8 - 14 year olds at Brandling Community Centre, 4 - 5pm

Young Women 'Hoop Hop' at Brandling Community Centre, 4 - 5pm

Thursday 24 March

Toddler Storytelling at Brandling Community Centre, 1 - 3pm

After School Activities for 8 - 14 year olds at Felling House Play Area, 4 - 5pm

Young Men's Fitness Group - Breakdance and MC night at Brandling Community Centre, 7 - 9.30pm

Friday 25 March

Healthy Cook & Eat session at Brandling Community Centre, 10am - 3pm

Community Allotment - green exercise and planting with Brandling Primary School at Brandling Primary School, 10am - 3pm

For further information, contact Felling Housing Office.

Lucy Carlton-Walker's recycled sculpture workshops, Landscapes of the Future, are booking up fast!

Key Stage Two classes at Glynwood Primary, Waverley Primary, Walkergate Primary and Oakfield Juniors will each spend a day working with Lucy, building sculptures of their community as they think it may look fifty years from now. Watch this space for photographs of their creations...

One workshop is still available for a Key Stage Two class in Newcastle or Gateshead on Wednesday 28 April. Click here to find out more about the workshops and to book.

Artist Lucy Carlton-Walker is offering Gateshead Ambassadors a sculpture workshop at a special introductory rate, and one lucky Ambassador will even get the workshop for free! Lucy's sculpture workshop, Landscapes of the Future, focuses on how our environments are continually changing, and how everyday objects can be creatively recycled to become part of the planet. The aim is to encourage and improve a range of skills through exploration of contemporary art. This will be done using a cross-curricular approach, with recycling as the key theme.

The workshop will encourage the participants to consider how they think a town might look in 2060, fifty years from now. They will be asked to consider what we need to survive in our environment and what we currently take for granted, and to think what they would want their future landscape to look like and how they would live within it.

After being nominated by the public, The Great North Museum has been shortlisted for The Guardian Family Friendly Museum Award. The 2010 Manifesto has been compiled from families' suggestions of ways in which museums can offer fantastic experiences. It's a practical and powerful tool to encourage and support museums and galleries around the country to make family visits more enjoyable.

How your family can get involved: From the shortlist, families will decide on this year's winner. Each shortlisted museum will be visited, anonymously, by several families of all shapes and sizes. They will measure the museum against the Kids in Museums Manifesto - 20 ways to make a museum family friendly - compiled entirely from visitors' comments. If you'd like to be considered as a judging family for the Award, just email award@kidsinmuseums.org.uk

Have you had a great time visiting a museum with children or young people? Why not leave a comment about it!

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?

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.

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.

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

Action for Children's Arts is holding a regional seminar at Seven Stories, Newcastle, on Wednesday 23 September, 1.30 - 4.30pm.

This is one of a series of Action for Children's Arts events taking place across the country, giving everyone involved in children's arts - artists, producers, teachers, parents, local authorities, children's charities - the chance to meet each other, share ideas and contribute to a national campaign to promote the importance of the arts in children's lives.

Tickets are £15 for Action for Children's Arts members, and £25 for non members. To book or for further details click here.

There are some fantastic prizes up for grabs in this competition, and with the deadline in the second week of the autumn term, its a great way for schools to get their year off to a creative start!

Primary, secondary and special schools in Gateshead are invited to design a decorative light to adorn Gateshead this winter.

Children are asked to draw a design based on a seasonal theme, and the winning design will be made into a light that will be displayed in Gateshead town centre. The winning design will be reproduced as a line drawing, as close to the original as possible. This drawing will be interpreted by Blanchere Illumination UK, to create a light using an aluminium frame and coloured rope light.

Read on for details of the fantastic prizes and how to enter!

On Tuesday 6 October, between 3.30 and 5pm, teachers are invited to come along and find out everything Seven Stories can offer their school. The event is completely free of charge and will be a chance to enjoy some refreshments whilst being amongst the first to view two fantastic new exhibitions!

The Judith Kerr exhibition opens in mid September, featuring much-loved classics The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Mog the Forgetful Cat, alongside the moving story of Judith's childhood as a refugee. Meanwhile, a celebration of T.S.Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, including a new edition illustrated by Axel Scheffler opens in the Bookden on 1st October.

Children and adults are invited to join Cultural Partner Steve Marshall to create a panoramic drawing of Saltwell Park. No experience is necessary and all materials are provided at this fun and accessible workshop. Tickets are just £2 and should be booked by contacting HannahMackay@gateshead.gov.uk or telephoning 0191 433 6920.

Date: Saturday 15 August.

Time: 10am - 12 noon for 9 - 12 year olds. 1 - 3pm for adults.

Venue: Meet in the upstairs gallery of Saltwell Towers, Saltwell Park, Gateshead. The workshop will take place outdoors so please come dressed for the weather.

Gateshead schools are invited to the City Learning Centre's Poetry and Illustration festival between 14 and 18 September 2009. Professional poets and illustrators including Gez Walsh, Craig Bradley, Shoo Rayner and Rob Lewis will lead a series of workshops, which are sure to inspire children and teachers alike.

One session for a maximum of 35 children is available per school. Places are limited so be sure to book by telephoning Gateshead City Learning Centre on 0191 460 2900.

Cultural Ambassador Grants 2009.pdf

Open to all Ambassadors, not just schools

DEADLINE Friday 5th June

'Teachers Lab' CPD

Playwriting for Primary
Thursday 24 September, 4 to 8pm
Suitability: KS2 teachers

Starting Points
Thursday 25 February 2010, 4 to 8pm
Suitability: Primary Teachers

For all the info, click 'Continue reading' below.

To book a place please contact Samantha Bell on (0191) 2693488 or Samantha@live.org.uk

Shows for schools and young people

13.1
By Mike Kenny
Schools tour, Monday 21 to Friday 25 September
Suitability: Year 7, 8 & 9

First Draft
at Live Theatre, Thursday 22 to Saturday 24 October
Suitability: Year 2 to 6

2 practical and FREE workshops for KS2 teachers

on Thursdays 14th and 21st May - both 4-5pm

You can learn:

Bollywood dancing
Indian song
Cyclical patterns
Instrumental 'voices'
Gujarati stick dancing

and you get a FREE CD-rom on completion

Led by Janet Longbottom, AST for Creativity and Culture, Newcastle

Places are limited, TO BOOK - please return the completed attached form (through the courier) to Janet Longbottom, Ravenswood Primary School,
or email janet.longbottom@ravenswood.newcastle.sch.uk or caroline.pearce@newcastle.gov.uk

BALTIC is offering a free CPD session for primary school teachers, 12.30 - 4.30pm on Thursday 14 May.

Using BALTIC's A Duck for Mr. Darwin exhibition as a focus, you will be able to work with artists, to explore creative methods for evaluating learning, to work  with 'Dr. Maths' and with a consultant in emotional intelligence, exploring the potential of themed learning.

The event is completely free and includes a light lunch. For further information, or to book a place, please contact Helen Burns at: helenb@balticmill.com or phone 0191 4404929.

Now in its seventh year, The Children's Bookshow gives children the chance to experience the enthusiasm, energy and passion of some of today's top children's writers and illustrators, from familiar, well loved names, to exciting new ones.

As part of the Bookshow this year, Guo Yue and Clare Farrow will visit Newcastle to share their book Little Leap Foward. Children and teachers alike will delight in this event which focuses on the husband and wife team's moving acount of growing up in the Cultural Revolution of China. Based upon Yue's chjldhood in Beijing, A LIttle Leap Forward is a tale of family life and the ups and downs of friendship, which gives a fascinating insight into Mao Zedong's China.

Read on for details of free workshops for KS2 with Clare and Yue.

Join Cultural Partner Lip Lee for a free kite making workshop this Saturday 13 June. 5 - 12 year olds will learn some origami techniques to make spinners and kites, which they can fly in the park.

Lip regularly delivers origami and Chinese culture workshops in Newcastle and Gateshead schools. As well as a great chance to make a toy to take home, the workshop is an opportunity for Ambassadors to meet a Cultural Partner who is available to work with your learning setting, and discover techniques to use in the classroom.

To guarantee a place at the workshop please contact Hannahmackay@gateshead.gov.uk or telephone 0191 433 6920. Some drop in places are also available, and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Venue: Saltwell Towers, Saltwell Park

Time: 10am - 12.00 for 5 - 8 year olds, 1 - 3pm for 9 - 12 year olds.

Date: Saturday 13 June

NewcastleGateshead's festival for children and young people is back! Following the success of last year's exciting events, Juice 2009 promises even more enticing opportunities!

Between Thursday 22 October and Sunday 8 November, NewcastleGateshead will be bursting with events, performances and activities, celebrating the creativity of children and young people.

There will be a wealth of opportunities specifically for schools to join in with. You can subscribe to the mailing list, to ensure you're the first to hear the news. Photos from Juice 2008 can be viewed here.

Fans of Judith Kerr's classic picture book The Tiger Who Came to Tea will be delighted to learn that the tiger is coming to Newcastle! Following the success of the 2008 tour, the stage adaptation is coming to Theatre Royal, 15 - 18 April. Join Sophie, her mummy and their unexpected visitor for magic, sing along songs, and clumsy chaos!

Matinees: Wed 1.30pm, Thu & Sat 9.30am & 11.30am, Fri 10.30am & 1.30pm .

Buy tickets here 

For reviews and a sneak preview, visit the Tiger's website.

Free tickets are available for a post show talk by director and playwright David Wood. Join David on Saturday 18 April, 12.30 - 1.20pm, to learn about the challenges of adapting a picture book classic for stage. To book tickets for the talk please call 08448 11 21 21.

September sees the launch of Seven Stories' exhibition From The Tiger Who Came To Tea, to Mog and Pink Rabbit; a Judith Kerr Retrospective. Keep an eye on the Seven Stories website for all the latest news about this and other Seven Stories events.

In a dark dark street, there was a dark dark house! See puppets, singing and a UV light night-time sequence as you enter a world of fun, frights and friendship with three skeletons that love to misbehave! See The Puppetlab bring Janet and Allan Ahlberg's classic tale to life in an unmissable performance for 4 - 7 year olds and their families. 

The Puppetlab present Funnybones! at Seven Stories, 3 - 4pm on Saturday 21 March. £2 booking fee, in addition to Seven Stories entry fee. Book here.

Shine Week takes place between 6 and 10 July 2009. You can celebrate Shine '09 by planning and hosting events showcasing everyone's talents. The week will see classrooms, halls, playgrounds, community spaces and cultural venues shine brightly with young people's talents!

Click here to register your school and receive your free resource pack. This includes a creative pack, and a media pack to make sure the local limelight is focused on your Shine event!

Last year over 2,500 schools took part - the website has info on some of their ideas for a spectacular Shine Week.

Don't forget to email your network coordinators if you'd like help finding an artist for Shine Week - Hannahmackay@gateshead.gov.uk and Caroline.pearce@newcastle.gov.uk We'd love to feature your events on this website!

Making Music North East invites choirs, individual singers, vocal leaders and conductors to the Big Spring Sing. This one day workshop is aimed at any singers interested in:

meeting other singers
developing their vocal technique
learning new repertoire
singing a major work.

The workshop takes place at The Education Village, Darlington, 10am - 5pm on Saturday 9 May. Discounts are available if you book early. For more info, visit Making Music North East.

Come and celebrate 'Light up the Countryside Week' by making a lantern! The week will culminate in a spectacular lantern parade at Watergate Forest Park, 7 - 8pm on Saturday 21 February. Why not bring along your lantern and join in, or just come and watch. Family lantern making workshops are taking place at the following venues:

Tuesday 17 February, 10am - 12 noon at Thornley Woodlands Centre.

Wednesday 18 February, 12noon -2pm at Saltwell Park.

Thursday 19 February, 1 - 3pm at Bill Quay Farm, and 2 - 4pm at Thornley Woodlands Centre.

Saturday 21 February, 6pm at Watergate Forest Park.

Workshop places cost £2 per person and must be booked in advance by calling 01207 545 212 or emailing countryside@gateshead.gov.uk

Yes, you read it correctly - your help is needed to knit a coat for a boat!

This unique project involves the commissioning of a purpose-built 20ft sailable Coble, which is being constructed by the crew at North East Maritime Trust, South Shields. Cultural Partner and Big Knitter Ingrid Wagner is leading the project forward, bringing an abundance of colour and passion for knitting, and generally helping to realise this fabulously surreal concept.

The project will come together to form an exhibition at Sandford Goudie Gallery at The Customs House, South Shields, in June '09 and the boat will be launched on the River Tyne in July! 

There is so much to do and so we need your help!  Whether you're a nifty knitter or just a beginner, plenty of nautical knitters are needed to help cast off the boat! If you already run a knitting group you could become a Knitting Coordinator, receiving full support from project leaders to create particular sections of the boat's coat.

The first Knitting Gathering is at 11am on Sunday 15 February at the Sandford Goudie Gallery, The Customs House, South Shields.There are plenty more events to come - for further information, please contact Esen Kaya, Visual Arts Development Officer at The Customs House, on 0191 4278199 or email esen@customshouse.co.uk

Keeping busy over half term needn't break the bank...

• Visit Beamish for £5 and get a sneak preview of the Colliery Lamp Cabin exhibit and join in the family activities in the school. Details here.
• Short Story Workshop for 13 - 18 year olds, for £5 at Sage Gateshead. Pick up some creative writing tips, design a book jacket and produce video, soundtracks and photostories. Details here.
• Try your hand at glass painting and mosaic making. Watch professional artists blowing glass at Sunderland's National Glass Centre. For ages 6+, £5 - £8. Details here.

Creative Partnerships are inviting applications for maintained schools in England wishing to become Schools of Creativity. Schools will join a two-year project to raise educational standards and develop in students the skills that employers say they need, such as the ability to question, make connections, innovate, problem solve and reflect critically.

Schools of Creativity will receive £40,000 over two years, and a funded education consultant to develop and promote creative learning. Schools will be expected to contribute £5,000 a year to the scheme.

Schools can apply here by Friday 6 March. Gateshead schools wishing to apply should also notify Karolynnehart@gateshead.gov.uk. Newcastle schools should notify Jeanne.hale@newcastle.gov.uk Many thanks to everyone who has already registered their interest in becoming a Change School or School of Enquiry. We will let you know as soon as application forms become available...

Learn how to combine the visual, auditory and kinaesthetic through shadow puppets and music. Explore how this can be used in your learning setting, and discover to make shadow puppets and develop exciting shadow plays with music.

Thursday 23 April at The Carriageworks, Leeds

£25 (£50 for non-Music Leader members)

Contact yorkshire@musicleader.net or call 01422 321 823 to book.

Would you like to work with Northern Stage to influence programming decisions and create exciting new projects involving your students? Northern Stage Teachers' Forum is looking for teachers who can spare one hour, once or twice a term. In return, you'll get a glass of wine and a whole host of teacher treats.

Benefits include:

Tailor made training sessions

Advance booking info

Tours & talks for your students

Opportunities & projects for your school

Access to dress rehearsals

The next Teachers' Forum will be on Wednesday 25 February at 6pm in the Sponsors' Room at Northern Stage. For more info or to book, contact Susan Mulholland, Participation and Learning Coordinator, on 0191 242 7222 or smulholland@northernstage.co.uk

Newcastle will be celebrating Chinese New Year with a bang on Sunday 8 February. Firecrackers, unicorn dancing, food and family entertainment will bring in the Year of the Ox.

Highlights include:

Bath Lane for circus, dance and martial arts, as well as craft and food stalls.

Charlotte Square Children's Marquee, for lantern making, face painting and mask making.

North East Chinese Association, Stowell Street, for Chinese brush painting and calligraphy.

Click here for full listings.

Try these creative Chinese New Year activities in the classroom!

Free training session for anyone who sings with children aged 5 to 9. Songs for here, there and everywhere... Learn songs and games for young singers and gather a repertoire of materials that can be visited throughout the formative years and beyond. Places are free but must be booked. Visit 20,000 Voices for more information.

This session is at:

Hepscott Park Development Centre, near Morpeth.

9.30am - 3.30pm on Tuesday 3 February.

Four to seven year olds are invited to help award winning author and illustrator Emily Gravett rewrite her classic tale Monkey and Me. Come to Seven Stories and choose new characters and new scenarios while Emily draws the pictures! This is a fantastic chance for children to engage with a top contemporary author and illustrator whilst developing confidence and creativity in the arts.

Suitable for 4 - 7 year olds. 1 - 2pm on Friday 8 May.

Booking required - telephone 0845 271 0777 ext. 715

We're giving away two family passes for Centre for Life, where there's plenty to explore, from DNA and the senses, to recycling and constellations.

Newcastle Science Fest kicks off in March and promises some exciting events - find out what liquid nitrogen icecream tastes like, have a go at making a rocket and discover the essential ingredients of elephants' toothpaste.

For your chance to win a family pass for Centre for Life, simply tell us how old Charles Darwin would have been this year. (You might find some clues here! ) Email your answer to Hannahmackay@gateshead.gov.uk

Baltic are offering Cultural Ambassadors a free twilight session of daring drawing! Join artist Louise Bradley to experiment with exciting drawing methods that you can take back to the classroom. Don't worry if you think you can't draw, all you need is enthusiasm, and Louise will show you the rest!

The session will run from 4 - 6pm on Thursday 19 March at Baltic. For more info or to book contact Helen Burns: Helenb@balticmill.com or phone 0191 440 4929. Don't forget, as with all Cultural Ambassadors events, you can send a colleague if you can't make it!

Celebrate the arrival of Spring with storyteller Chris Bostock and musician Richard Scott with Tales for the Turning Year on Tuesday 24 March. Join them at Clara Vale Village Hall to look towards spring and learn how the lamb outsmarted the wolf and what grandmother spider brought to the earth.  

There'll be participation a-plenty in this musical journey of stories from around the world.

Suitable for family audiences of 5+ Tickets are £3 / £1.50

Tickets available from Clara Vale Village Hall, Clara Vale, Ryton NE40 OJE or the Box Office, 0191 433 8420.

COMPETITION: We're giving away A bit of an Earful - a CD collection of traditional tales told by Chris Bostock with music by Graham Raine and Bridget Enever. Be the first to answer the following question correctly, by email to hannahmackay@gateshead.gov.uk

Which season is being celebrated in Tales of the Turning Year?

The Shipley Art Gallery invites you to celebrate seventy years of Penguin design. Discover what a cover reveals about a book and find out how cover designs have changed over the years.

Children are invited to bring along their favourite books and have a go at re-designing the covers using illustration techniques.

The exhibition runs until 31 May 2009. Workshops can be booked on 0191 4771495.

Edinburgh-based Scottish Storytelling Centre is offering unique training in the use of storytelling throughout the school. 

Storytelling Schools: Whole School Approaches is a chance to hear from primary schools that have applied storytelling approaches through all stages of learning, with beneficial results. How might this work in your situation?

The workshop is on Tuesday 19th May 2009 10.00am - 3.30pm with Judy Paterson and Senga Munro. Tickets are £30 (£25 for network members), which includes lunch and refreshments. To book, call 0131 556 9579 email reception@scottishstorytellingcentre.com

Do you run extra curricular arts activities in your learning setting? Would your young people like to gain a qualification whilst participating in these?

The Arts Award supports 11 - 25 year olds to develop as artists and arts leaders and is available throughout England. The Arts Award is a nationally recognised qualification available at three different levels - Bronze, Silver and Gold. 

Jim Montague, a project leader and musician at The Sage Gateshead, is offering training in becoming an Arts Award Adviser. Sessions are on both 23 February and 8 May 2009, 9.30am - 4.30pm.

Click here for full details of the Arts Award and to find out if you could train as an Adviser.

Theatre Royal are offering an 'access all areas' day to KS4 and KS5 students interested in a career in the theatre. A great chance to delve into set design, drama, make-up, careers in theatre and much more, with industry professionals!
The day also includes a tour of the theatre, and resource pack.

DATE: Wed 4 February
TIME: 10am-3pm
COST: £4 per student
VENUE: Theatre Royal (Please assemble in the foyer.)
To book please call Group Bookings on 08448 11 21 22.

Do you live, work or receive full time education in Gateshead? If so, the Council are inviting you to reach for the stars with this short story competition. As 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, the competition takes the title 'Reach for the Stars' which you can interpret as you wish.

The closing date is noon on Monday 9 March 2009. Winning entries will be published on Gateshead Council's website and will be available in all Gateshead libraries.

There are also cash prizes for the winners: 11 years and under: 1st prize £50 / 2nd prize £35 / 3rd prize £15

12 - 18 years: 1st prize £75 / 2nd prize £50 / 3rd prize £25

Over 18 years 1st prize £150 / 2nd prize £100 / 3rd prize £75.

 For more info, or to enter, send a copy of your story to dorothycameron@gateshead.gov.uk you should also include your name, address, postcode, telephone number, email address, age on 9 March 2009 (if 18 or under), school currently attended and title of work submitted. This information should not be written on the story itself, and the story should not have been published or read on television, radio or stage. This competition is not open to Gateshead Council employees.

Children's Art Day is taking place on 9 July 2009: Register now to take part.

Children's Art Day is a national programme encouraging children, young people, families and teachers to engage with visual art. It takes place during Shine Week - a national schools festival celebrating talent in all young people.

On Thursday 9 July the spotlight will be on the Visual Arts. All Visual Arts venues, schools, youth and community organisations are invited to take part in Children's Art Day. The first 150 venues registering events will receive a grant of £50 as seed funding for an event, which can be claimed on the event's completion and on submission of a brief report.

Cultural Partner Striding Edge Films are offering an event based on the award winning film, Beat the Bully. The film was made by a group of Year Ten students from Monkwearmouth School as they directed a professional film crew. Beat the Bully has been positively received by young people throughout the region, and has been hugely successful in communicating the anti bullying message from young people to their peers. Striding Edge Films is one of the latest Partners to join the Cultural Ambassadors Network and this event is a chance for schools to learn more about the highly accessible workshops they offer.

We need a venue for this event! Please read on for details.

Children's author illustrator Catherine Rayner is coming to Seven Stories for an interactive session about drawing and illustrating.

Four to seven year olds can learn how to bring animals, characters and creatures to life, as well as learning more about Catherine's work. Catherine is best known for Augustus and His Smile, the beautiful tale of a moody tiger, which has been shortlisted for a whole host of awards.

The workshop will take place between 1pm and 2pm on Monday 23 February.
To book or for more information call Lisa Moll on 0845 271 0777 ext 722.

Cultural Partner CTC Theatre present an innovative and daring take on Macbeth. Aimed at 11 to 16 year olds, the production is a fantastic introduction to Shakespeare.

Performed in the round, the play puts the audience claustrophobically close to the action, making each viewer complicit in the horrors that unfold.  As the audience enters, conflicting news reports blare out and internet screens glare with misinformation. The witches in this world are journalists, weaving a tale of spin and trickery, scouring newspaper headlines for rumour, passing gossip amongst us as we take our seats.
This production presents a world turned upside down by media influence, where all of us are at the mercy of rumour and deceit. A world where - even in our most personal moments - we are watched and judged.

To book a performance of Macbeth in your school between 2 and 27 March 2009, telephone 01325 352 004.

The Association of Illustrators' Images 32 exhibition is coming to The Gallery at Gateshead Library. Showcasing award winners in various categories, the exhibition promises a variety of innovative and fresh talent.

Illustrator Bethan Laker, a Newcastle-based member of the Association of Illustrators, will run a free workshop for year 4 and 5 on Thursday 12 March 2009. Children will discover techniques of professional illustrators and use them to develop their own stories and characters. There are fifteen places available for year 4 or 5 from a Gateshead School; to book contact Hannahmackay@gateshead.gov.uk, telephone 0191 433 6920.

A free BEAMworks sound technology workshop is available for a Gateshead primary school on Wednesday 28 January. Run by artist Stuart Freeland, this workshop involves using a piece of equipment called Soundbeam. This allows the user to trigger notes and melodies, samples or sounds by interrupting an invisible beam.

Groups create and develop a piece of interactive art in sessions by creating sounds, recording, and capturing image for visuals and then releasing them through movement.

Cultural Partner Northern Architecture are offering a hands-on CPD session for KS2, 3 & 4 teachers.

Working with a professional model-maker, delegates will explore techniques used to make architectural models, whilst developing new skills in translating 2D plans to three dimensions.

With links to a range of curriculum subjects, such as maths, design technology and art, there is plenty of potential for transferring these creative skills and ideas to your own teaching practise.

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art have some fantastic learning resources for schools, colleges and universities.

Free guided tours for all ages are available, including those conducted in BSL. Teachers can download teaching resources from the website prior to visiting, use the archives or book practical sessions with freelance artists. Secondary school students may be interested in undertaking a week long work experience placement with Baltic's Education Team.

Baltic offers a flexible approach to learning from contemporary art. Learning settings are welcome to contact the Education Team on 0191 478 1810 to discuss their requirements and find out what Baltic can offer your group. Whether you want to do a hands-on practical session, discover the theoretical side of the work, or gain an insight into the workings of this unique building, there's plenty to learn from Baltic!

Useful resources

Lambdragon interactive game designed by young people - a great way to explore the gallery virtually.

Question cards for use with primary or secondary school groups.

Application form to join BLAH BLAH BLAH, Baltic's teen panel.

Hazard identification sheet - use this to do your own risk assessment prior to visiting.

Cultural Ambassador Brian Hobby is offering two Photoshop training days for teachers and HLTs. The courses will take place at Furrowfield School on 12 and 26 January 2009, and run from 9.30am-3.30pm. There will be eight places on each day, including a free lunch, so early booking is recommended.

The training will be at different levels and staff are welcome to attend both days. The trainer on both days is Cultural Ambassador Brian Hobby, who is an exhibiting photography artist with advanced Photoshop skills.

Monday 12th January - Beginners' Photoshop skills

Monday 26th January - Intermediate/Advanced Photoshop skills (this will include some 3-D and sketchup techniques)

Places are filling up fast so book your place through Hannah, telephone 0191 433 6920 or Hannahmackay@gateshead.gov.uk

Last few places available.

Do you teach Shakespeare to KS 4 or 5?

This training day is an opportunity for teachers to explore how theatre-based approaches can be used to help students respond more confidently to Shakespeare, and to inspire creative and informed written and oral work for English Language and English Literature.

Tuesday 24th February, 2009
@ Northern Stage

Contact caroline.pearce@newcastle.gov.uk to book your space.

Tuesday 2nd December 2008
@ Seven Stories
9am-3.30pm