Creative opportunities for schools and kura in 2021
Applications are now open for the second round of the Creatives in Schools programme, which partners professional artists and creative practitioners with teachers and kaiako to foster new learning experiences for students and ākonga of all ages.
The programme will fund up to 110 projects running for 8 to 20 weeks during 2021.
“Particularly in the wake of Covid-19, the value of creative learning experiences cannot be under-estimated,” Deputy Secretary, Early Learning and Student Achievement, Ellen MacGregor-Reid says.
“The programme will benefit both students and artists, enhancing students’ well-being, improving skills in communication, collaboration and creative thinking and raise their awareness of creative careers,” Ms MacGregor-Reid says.
“It provides artists with a work opportunity in which to develop personally and professionally as creative practitioners by engaging with students, teachers, parents, families and whānau.”
One of the first round projects involves nine primary schools in Marlborough building on a 2019 Pacific Performing Arts pilot to learn Pacific dance and song.
Springlands School principal Gaylene Beattie says even though some of the lessons had to be via video during the Covid-19 lockdown her Pacific students were very positive about the project.
“They felt they were recognised for their culture and heritage and really valued sharing their learnings with their classmates,” Mrs Beattie says.
Projects need not be limited to the New Zealand Curriculum arts disciplines of visual arts, dance, drama and music – there are also opportunities for creatives to share their expertise in areas such as film making, game design, fashion design, spoken word, expertise in ngā toi Māori such as raranga, whakairo and more.
Artists and creative practitioners who want to be included in the list of creatives available for the programme can register their expressions of interest with the Ministry of Education.
Schools and kura are also welcome to liaise with creative practitioners in their own community, to plan a project and apply for funding.
Applications for projects to be undertaken next year close on 21 August 2020 and the successful schools and kura will be confirmed by late October.
The programme is delivered by Ministry of Education, working in partnership with Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage and Creative New Zealand.
For more information go to Arts Online(external link).
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