Creative Partnerships

Creative Partnerships was an initiative created by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in 2002.

 CCE stated that:

Creative Partnerships aims to develop the provision of creativity provided to young people in disadvantaged areas across the U.K. It also provides the opportunity to develop ambitions, aspirations and achievements by fostering partnerships between schools, creative organisations, businesses and individuals (Creativity, Culture and Education, no date).

Hall and Thomson (2007) stated that creative partnerships aims to provide school children aged 5-18 and their teachers the opportunity to explore their creativity, by working on sustained projects with creative professionals.

There are 7 objectives of the programme that contribute to the use of creative partnerships throughout education, these are specified below as:

 •A broader and richer curriculum that will stimulate pupil imagination and excite their interest in learning

 •Raised standards of attainment across the curriculum (Including literacy and other basic skills)

 •Promoting creativity and innovation in teaching throughout the curriculum

•Improved teacher recruitment and retention

 •Creating a distinct school ethos and strengthening the schools place in the community

 •Improved pupil self-confidence and attitudes to learning

•Equipping young people with skills that are in demand in the creative economy (Hall and Thomson, 2007).

 

Strengths

It has moved away from the 'standard' way of teaching.

It has allowed individuals to learn through more enjoyable and relaxing methods.


All children have the opportunity to express themselves through creative means.

It has allowed pupils to gain accessibility to wider facilities which in turn can improve pupil results.

NFER (2008) illustrated that young people who had attended Creative Partnership activities had improved on average the equivalent of 2.5 grades at GCSE level. 

It is a multifaceted approach.

OFSTED (2006) believed that most Creative Partnership programmes were effective in developing abilities such as: Improvisation, risk taking, collaboration with others and the demonstration of resilience.

It has created employment opportunities which has a positive effect on the economy.

IFACCA (2011) stated that the benefits of Creative Partnerships were diverse, ranging from: mutual learning and sharing, the creation of understanding,  transmission of knowledge, exchange of information, and pooling of skills and experiences.

Weaknesses

Time consumption

Insufficient planning

Funding (Financial dependency)

  
Below figure 5 demonstrates the benefits and impacts of Creative Partnerships to pupils,parents, schools and teachers. 











                     

             LOCWS

LOCWS is an artist-led charity based in the City of Swansea. It designed and delivered the public art programme 'Art across the City'. LOCWS co-ordinates with international and UK-based artists to create new and contemporary artworks for public accessibility throughout the city. A wide variety of artworks are created from sculptures and paintings to performances and films. The artwork is influenced and inspired by an aspect of the city, whether it be culture, heritage, architecture, people or landscape. The artworks are then displayed throughout various destinations across the city. 

LOCWS also promotes the 'Outreach and Education Programme'. This provides the opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to take part in educational workshops, events and competitions through the creation of art. The programme also includes 'LOCWS Schools'. This is a popular participatory education project that sees young people learn about contemporary art and culture to inspire their own artwork for public exhibitions.

If you require further information regarding LOCWS, here is their twitter account! https://twitter.com/locws_art 

Personal Reflection 

On the 14^th of October 2014 my lecture group and I took a day trip to Swansea Pavilion to attend a LOCWS tour. We had the opportunity to view the various artworks created by primary school pupils of the Swansea region. This event was beneficial to me as I had the opportunity to understand the importance of creative partnerships within education. I also observed the potential creative partnerships has on pupil motivation and willingness or interest of pupils in learning.  Several photographs were taken from this visit. Some of the schools involved are listed below. 

Townhill Primary School, Plasmarl Primary School, Talycopa Primary School and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bryn-Y-Mor

Bibliography

Creativity, Culture and Education. (no date) Creative Partnerships. http://www.creativitycultureeducation.org/creative-partnerships (Accessed: 22 November 2014).

Creativity, Culture and Education (2010) The Costs and Benefits of Creative Partnerships. http://www.creativitycultureeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/PWC-report-the-costs-and-benefits-of-creative-partnerships.pdf  (Accessed: 22 November 2014).

Hall, C. and Thomson, P. (2007) 'Creative partnerships?', Cultural policy and inclusive arts practice in one primary school, British Educational Research Journal, 33: 3, (June 2007), 315-329. [Online]. http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1080/01411920701243586 (Accessed 22 November 2014).

IFACCA (2011) Creative Partnerships: Intersections between the arts, culture and other sectors. www.ifacca.org (Accessed: 22 November 2014).

LOCWS (2014) Art across the City. http://www.locwsinternational.com/?portfolio=whats-on (Accessed: 22 November 2014).

(NFER) Kendall, L., Morrison, J., Yeshanew, T. and Sharp, C. (2008). The Longer-Term Impact of Creative Partnerships on the Attainment of Young People: Results from 2005 and 2006. The Final Report. London: Creativity, Culture and Education. [Online]. Available at: http://www.nfer.ac.uk/publications/CPY01/CPY01.pdf (Accessed: 22 November 2014).

OFSTED (2006) Creative Partnerships: initiative and impact. [Online]. Available at: www.ofsted.gov.uk (Accessed: 22 November 2014).