Craftspace

Newly arrived children at George Dixon Junior and Infant School in Birmingham share experiences through making and performing.

Three artists, Andy Hazell (maker), Angeline Ferguson (animator), and Joseph Potts (documenter) worked together at George Dixon Junior and Infant School in Birmingham on a project to give newly arrived pupils an opportunity to express themselves and share their experiences through a common language of making and performance.

From January until June 2007 the artists worked with Year 2 children aged between 6 and 7 to expore ways of telling stories through a series of activities. As the project progressed it adapted to the needs and ideas of the participants. Activities included a visit to the Black Country Museum to think about themes of travelling and journeys.

This project was inspired by two long-term creative projects we have been doing over the last two years with newly arrived adults.  Discussion with the women involved identified that making is a collective and universal language which can help those involved to build skills and confidence, express themselves and feel more connected to the community they have joined. George Dixon School was selected for the project as it has high numbers of newly arrived children. This project is seen as a positive way in which newly arrived pupils can be given a voice to express themselves and to share their own experiences with others. This will promote self esteem and self confidence in pupils.

Craftspace is currently working with newly arrived children at Chandos School in Highgate Birmingham to deliver 'A World Imagined 2'.  

This project was funded by Birmingham City Council through its annual programme of Arts Education Awards.  It is the next in Craftspace’s Influential Objects series - an initiative that aims to develop excellence in making, new audiences in education and community settings and locates contemporary crafts and design practice within wider social and cultural contexts.