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Dare to Dream

The Dare to Dream project encompasses a number of initiatives funded jointly by SET, Arts Council East and the Royal Opera House.

Focal Point Gallery are developing an off-site programme of temporary exhibition spaces across Southend over a 2 year period. They will present a number of ‘out of the classroom’ school activities showing the cross curricular opportunities and consultation events have been booked for schools to attend to discuss ideas and identify which curriculum subjects would most benefit from this project.

Creative Connections was a pilot in 2009/10 which provided CPD for staff and proved to be extremely beneficial as they worked with creative Practitioners and Royal Opera House staff over a period of 8 days. It is to be repeated again this year across the Thames Gateway using the production Park at Grays.

Thames to Tama is a very exciting project in conjunction with Metal. A local artist has produced a large scale piece of work depicting the life of William Adams who was the first European to travel to Japan. 23 schools are engaged in the project producing 4,500 portraits to be installed into the finished piece. A venue has been identified for a launch event and the installation will be on display for some time to enable schools and the community to visit.

Space to Learn is a project carried out by Nimble Fish investigating potential within the borough and school’s own premises for spaces to learn. In 2009/2010 7 schools took part, 2 distance learning and 5 actual participants. Feedback from staff was that they found it very positive, affecting their approach to teaching and they will continue to use the strategies learnt. Pupils indicated that they experienced and enjoyed learning outside the classroom especially being able to make decisions and choices about their learning environment. We are now looking at how best to disseminate the learning and share good practice.

Billboard is a media lab based at Shoeburyness High School. It is fully equipped having made the journey from the TATE to Shoebury a couple of years ago. We are currently discussing options as to the use of the lab to enhance such curricular areas as Art, Media & Business Studies as well as a facility for local feeder schools and the wider community.

Village Green is an event which takes place each year at Chalkwell Park organised by Metal. It is a celebration of all areas of Art, Performing Arts & Music. This year the event has been extended to include activities for schools to take part in on Thursday & Friday with the main event on the Saturday. This has proved very successful with both Primary and Secondary schools attending workshops and hands on activities.  This year in excess of 27,000 people attended Village Green.