APPLICATION TO ‘SHOREDITCH & HOXTON ART FUND’
The Stage in partnership with Art Hoppers and MOLA, design an art education programme with local primary schools at the heart of the process…
The culture of the East End has always had a theatrical undercurrent. The very first playhouse, ‘The Theatre’ opened in New Inn Broadway in 1576, and then ‘The Curtain’ nearby in Curtain Rd in 1577. In St Leonards, Spitalfields you’ll find the ‘Actors church’, where Shakespeare’s actors the Burbages and Will Somers, Henry Vllls Fool, are buried.
Over centuries, the changing city has slowly buried the stories of our past. However, new architectural development has created an opportunity for discovery with leading archaeologists unearthing the monuments to earlier times in Shoreditch. The original foundations of The Curtain will become accessible to the public at ‘The Stage’ establishing a new cultural venue of importance.
The proposal below outlines Art Hoppers concept for a bespoke Art Education Programme inspired by the archaeological discovery of The Curtain Theatre and related artefacts.
Art workshops for local primary schools
1. Design and deliver an exciting Art Education Programme informed by the archaeological discoveries found during the excavations of The Curtain Theatre led by MOLA.
2. Engage local primary schools located in the Hoxton East & Shoreditch ward (see map below) in art activities designed by Art Hoppers, MOLA and The Stage.
3. Produce artistic outcomes which contextualise pupils knowledge of local history through visits to the new, public heritage centre (when open) for The Curtain and the making of replica artefacts found at the site.
4. Align the Art Education Programme activities with relevant topics in the national school curriculum (i.e. The Middle Ages, The Tudors, Shakespeare, the Great Fire of London).
5. Document pupils’ artworks and their participation in the Art Education Programme. Gain pupil testimonials regarding their involvement in the project and promote their creative outcomes in a gallery quality context.
6. Consult with school teaching staff over the delivery of the Art Education Programme and its outcomes.
Digital resources
1.How-to make videos for educators and families at home. Produce and film a series of short videos illustrating how to make replica artworks inspired by the historical artefacts found at the site. (Incorporate documentation of our in-person school workshops and childrens creative outcomes to evidence learning benefits).
2. Downloadable / Printable resources for educators and families to use in class or at home. History fact files which accompany the videos and explain more about the use and purpose of specific objects.
3. Family quiz or on-site activity designed for use in the heritage centre informed by what excites childrens’ imaginations.
4. CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Potential to develop training for teaching staff as part of a broader Art Education package.
COMMUNITY EVENT
A launch event. Showcase the resulting community engagement in our Art Education Programme through an exhibition or digital presentation at the centre or online (ideas to be explored). Place ‘The Stage’ on the radar of the education sector and its networks.
Hoxton East & Shoreditch Ward
mapping Potential Partners
We propose to design an Art Education Programme inspired by sites of historical interest.
Working in partnership with MOLA, The Stage and local primary schools, we will deliver a series of high quality art workshops for children across KS1 & KS2.
Primary schools within the Hoxton East & Shoreditch ward will be targeted as defined within the priority catchment area of the Shoreditch and Hoxton Art Fund.
Key
The geographical boundary of Hoxton East & Shoreditch Ward is captured in blue.
Primary schools – pink dots.
Cultural spaces / Sites of interest – yellow dots.
Model of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (top) for Hackney Libraries 2016, plus (right) families and school children participating in Art Hoppers events.
1. Produce an Art Education Programme which makes a commitment toward enriching the education of every child in Hackney (Arts & Cultural Strategy for Hackney 2019 – 2022), by involving local school children and school teachers in its development.
2. Promote a community event celebrating the outcomes of the Art Education Programme, bringing the education sector and the families of participating school children together to connect and share experiences.
3. Support local communities in celebrating the area and its cultural identity through art education linked directly to The Stage – Aid understanding of the present by offering access to the past.
4. Contextualise the history of The Curtain locally by making links with important historical figures (Shakespeare / Burbage) and relevant locations (Shoreditch Church).
Artistic Outcome |
Materials |
Technique |
| Medieval Westminster tiles | Clay | Design/stencil printing |
| Elizabethan money boxes | Clay | 3D modelling (pinch pots) |
| Elizabethan coins | Embossing foil | Drawing/paint application |
| Elizabethan Fashion and class system: | ||
| Decorative Ruffs – KS1 / KS2 Hats, gloves, shoes – KS2 |
Mixed media Textiles |
Paper folding/cutting, design pattern cutting/sewing |
| Character studies: | ||
| Portrait Miniatures (jewellery) Playing cards Character studies – puppets – KS1 Character studies – Motion / actions – KS2 |
Paper / Paint Paper / Ink Mixed media Mixed media |
Watercolour painting Graphic Design / illustration 3D modelling Mechanical Automata |
| Scented pomanders (pouches) | Herbs / spices / oil | Grind ingredients: pestle & mortar |
| Calligraphy – (Shakespearean quotes) | Pen and Ink | Writing Script |
Above: Art ed classes delivered by Art Hoppers in various Hackney primary schools / public spaces plus the resulting artworks of pupils.
School workshops – NOTES:
Additional options may be offered pending further discussion/detail around the type of artefacts we would take inspiration from for our workshops.
A shortlisted selection of activities (pending budget restrictions) will be made to develop within the grant application.
The activities can be adapted to suit younger or older children. The same activities could also be designed for an adult audience.
