Children’s Art Week 2017

Saturday 10 June – Sunday 18 June

This week, MK Gallery celebrates Children’s Art Week (10 – 18 June) with a programme exploring outdoor learning with five local schools.

Led by EngageChildren’s Art Week sees thousands of children, their teachers and their families descend on visual arts venues, schools, libraries and youth and community organisations across the UK, to be inspired, engaged and entertained by art.

MK Gallery is working with 5x5x5=creativity and has selected five artists to collaborate with five MK primary schools to explore the relationship between outdoor learning, contemporary art and the curriculum. Building on Green Town Group, 150 Key Stage 1 pupils from across five chosen schools are taking part in Green Town Schools, a day using art and the outdoor environment as a starting point to develop cross curricular learning skills in observation, investigation, exploration and questioning. The sessions will also inspire and support teachers with cross-curricular links.

The schools participating in Green Town Schools are Great Linford Primary School, Oxley Park Academy, Middleton Primary School, Wood End Primary School and St Monica’s RC Primary School.

Supported by the Ernest Cook Trust, Green Town Group was the Gallery’s pilot programme of artist-led activity designed to test new approaches to outdoor learning. This inspiring year-long programme of activity saw MK Gallery and artist James Aldridge explore green spaces with local school children and families. The project culminated in the exhibition The Art of Outdoor Learning presented in MK Gallery’s Project Space earlier this year.

Speaking about Green Town Group, a teacher said: “I think it has shown me that some of my children are actually very articulate and creative, they just can’t always express it at school… these children may be stronger in practical activities. I love how the activities have been accessible to all, regardless of abilities.”

Tara Page, Learning Manager, MK Gallery said: “The 2016 project Green Town Group was hugely successful in evidencing the positive impact that green spaces can have on children’s learning. We’re delighted to celebrate Children’s Art Week 2017 by building on this project and inviting schools to explore the cross curricular possibilities of their own unique outdoor environments. The collaboration between our Associate Artists and the selected schools will help shape further outdoor learning experiences for schools city-wide.”

Film by Miles Umney.