Earlyarts E-Bulletin No. 29 - June 2010

National News

A NEW SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION - Conservative MP Michael Gove has been announced as the Secretary of State for Education in the new Liberal Conservative coalition. Read more here.

QUEEN’S SPEECH – Children’s sector fears losing out under Big Society plans. Read more here. Education Department must cut £670m but schools and Sure Start are protected. Read more here. Arts Council responds to a £19m reduction in funding from DCMS. Read more here.

ARTS FUNDING CUTS TO BE OFFSET BY LOTTERY BOOST - The new Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has promised the arts unqualified love, more lottery money and a major drive to increase philanthropic giving – but spending cuts are almost inevitable, he admitted. Read more here.

NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR DRAMA, THEATRE AND YOUNG PEOPLE - Following a consultation with the sector in March 2010, the five aspirations in the strategy have been re-drafted. Join with teachers, artists and practitioners from across the sector to develop a proposal for a national strategy for drama, theatre and young people in England. Contribute to the discussion forums on Facebook.

TIME TO ASK THE CHILDREN - Exploring perceptions of well-being in early years settings. Briefing Sessions 10 and 17 June from 3.30pm to 6pm at the Holloway Road branch of London Metropolitan University (ECSS). For more information contact Mark Alder, Early Childhood Business Support Officer , NCB.

FAIR PLAY FOR CHILDREN – FOR THE CHILD’S RIGHT TO PLAY - Promoting the Child's Right to Play and supporting those who are in the front-line with children where they live. See the Fair Play Manifesto 2010 here, read the PlayAction OnLine Story.

A PLACE FOR CULTURE - Developing a local culture offer for all children and young people. The DCMS sets out how far they have come towards realising their vision that all children should have the opportunity to enjoy high quality cultural experiences in and out of school. Download a copy here.

FOSTERING CREATIVITY IN SCHOOL – Enquiry Schools Programme 2010 – 2011. This well-established programme offers an opportunity for teachers to explore innovative teaching and learning at a time of great changes in thinking about the curriculum and, in particular, calls for more creativity. Click here for further information.

FUTURELAB: GAMING IN FAMILIES REPORT - Including key results from the literature review and Ipsos MORI survey along with findings from interviews and workshops held with families. More information here.

RAISING AWARENESS OF FAMILY LITERACY - The National Literacy Trust is working with National Family Week to promote Family Week Story Time. To find out how you can get involved visit their website.

COMMON CORE – Ensuring that those working with children, young people and families in the creative and cultural sector have access to the right skills and training. A newly revised ‘Common Core’ set of skills and knowledge for this part of the sector is now available to download here.

CULTURAL CAPITAL - A MANIFESTO FOR THE FUTURE - '...museums, galleries, archives, arts and heritage organisations are making the Creative Partnerships scheme a success, and the envy of other countries’. Download here.

SKETCHBOOK SPACE – For new resources including The Scrappy Sketchbook - a free to download pdf aimed at enabling users to get over their "sketchbook nerves, visit Sketchbook Space.

ACCESSART STUDIO PROJECT - Studio & Community, providing a network from which skills and experience (teaching, ideas, providing materials, access to audience, access to space etc) can be put to best use, shared, and built upon, to the benefit of all. Find out more.

SCOTTISH OPERA TOUR FOR BABIES - Baby O includes arias about bees, ducks and wellington boots. The show recently toured Scotland and it is hoped the 30-minute production will inspire a whole new audience for full-scale opera in the future. Read more here.

MUSICLEADER IS NOW IN EVERY REGION - Anyone who is interested in delivering music-making activities to children and young people will now be able to access information, advice, guidance, training and networking opportunities right across England. Sign up here.

LEARNING LINKS – Part of the MLA’s Strategic Commissioning workforce development programme which offers opportunities for museum and archive educators, teachers, trainee teachers and other cultural sector and children’s and young people’s professionals. Funded placements are available, contact Jennifer Bone jennifer.bone@mla.gov.uk Strategic Commissioning Project Manager - West Midlands & Learning Links, for more information.

CULTURE CALLING – RIGHT TO YOUR PHONE - A £50k grant has been announced for Culture24, to fund a new application for smartphones which will make it simple for people to find their nearest gallery, museum or art collection. More information here.

WHAT ADULTS SHOULD LEARN FROM CHILDREN - Child prodigy Adora Svitak age 11 talks here on TED about what she believes adults should learn from children, a great example of the power of pupil voice. TED is a great resource based on the premise of 'Ideas worth spreading' and contains a wide range of filmed presentations on diverse ideas and topics including contributions from Earlyarts Patron, Sir Ken Robinson.

WHATEVER NEXT! - by Jill Murphy, adapted by Juliet Forster for Tutti Frutti theatre company’s national tour until the 26 June. For a full tour schedule, please visit here.

HANDA’S SURPRISE - A perfect show for Early Years groups and offers a unique experience for young children who sit on the floor around the staging area. Little Angel Theatre. Available for booking from October – December 2010. More information here.

Regional News: North West

A DIALOGUE WITH PLACES - An exhibition of photographs and film that explores the relationship of young children with the buildings and urban spaces of their city. The Mezzanine Gallery, Royal Exchange Theatre until 19 June 2010. Details here.

THEATRE-MAKING WITH 2yrs – 7yrs - Exploring explore how you can use theatre techniques to inspire confidence and creativity in young children. Friday 2 July, 10am – 3.30pm. Royal Exchange Theatre. Details here.

PLAY UP FESTIVAL - Until 21 Aug 2010. Sefton Arts bring a jam-packed summer of fun to Crosby and Southport. More information here.

Regional News: South West

MAKING WAVES: CREATIVITY & LEARNING CONFERENCE - 18 June 2010 Bath Spa University. This year's conference will offer opportunities to reflect upon and commit to shaping the future direction of learning and teaching that meets the needs of young people's creativity. Download a full programme here or contact Julia Butler for more details.

KINDERGARDENS - A festival of professional theatre performances and workshops for the early years, bringing high quality work to small rural venues. For more information click here.

Regional News: Yorkshire

CREATIVE AND CROSS CURRICULAR APPROACHES TO THE PRIMARY CURRICULUM – 10^th & 20^th June 2010. CapeUK presents two linked events with different takes on implementing the new Primary Curriculum creatively. See here for more details.

SKILLS FOR SINGING IN SEN SETTINGS - Led By Doncaster Arts. A series of 4 twilight sessions on 9 June, 16 June, 30 June & 7 July 2010, 3.45 – 5.15pm. For Primary Teachers, TAs and Primary Music Practitioners focusing on singing in Primary SEN schools. More details here.

MY WORLD, MY FAMILY AND ME - Children from Brudenell Community Primary School, Hyde Park, Leeds have made a film 'My World, My Family and Me' to conclude their Creative Partnership project. Click here for more information.

LITTLE FEET: A FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN’S THEATRE - For children aged 18 months old – 12 years and their families. Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 June 2010. This year tutti frutti and York Theatre Royal are working together in a new way by bringing to York some of the best children’s theatre currently available from the UK, France and Italy. For further information go here.

MAKING MUSIC WITH VERY YOUNG BABIES - 17 June 2010. This course explores musical activities with very young children (up to around 12 months) and will equip participants with plenty of new ideas and lots of new songs and games from around the world. Click here for more information.

EXPLORING OUTDOOR LEARNING IN THE EARLY YEARS – Saturday 26 June 2010, Rodillian School, Wakefield. Early years Foundation Stage conference run by Leeds Early Years Service. More information or to book a place contact 0113 39 50496 or email.

LEEDS ART GALLERY OPEN SHOW - If your children have a piece of artwork they are really proud of, then ask them to bring it along to Leeds Art Gallery between 10-12 July 2010 and complete a simple form to have a chance of going in the annual open show exhibition. For more information click here and follow the link to exhibitions.

FROM HERE… TO THERE - A new show about building bridges by Tell Tale Hearts for children aged 18 months – 4 years. Taking bookings now for autumn 2010 and spring 2011. Suitable for nurseries, children’s centres, infant schools & theatres. Click here for more information.

WHEN WE LIVED IN UNCLE’S HAT – Opening at York Theatre Royal on 30 September before setting off on a national tour until the end of December. Click here for further information.