RICHARD BLISS
artist/tailor
Sacriston Junior School, Projects Galore
(Funded by Creative Partnerships and National Lottery Community Grants)
2010-2013
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Planning and programming cultural activities with children for children and the wider community.
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Creating a professionally recorded CD of songs performed by the children of the school
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Creating a centenary event for the school and the local community
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Creating a temporary museum for the school and community (open for two weeks) in a disused classroom
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Establishing a community choir that went on to perform at The Sage Gateshead, in local care homes and at community events linked to the Sacriston Community Centre and Sacriston Church.
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Recording a film of children's playground chants and games
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Creating a rainforest including a soundscape with the children in a dark corridor to help children feel more confident navigating the school, and raising awareness of ecological decline.
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Creating a community garden in an abandoned space alongside the school, working with professional landscape designer (as a pro bono project)
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Free concert for the community in the school playground as part of Brass Festival.
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Puppet Making workshops in the school and in the local library enabling children and families to take part in the community carnival with their 'giant' (approximately 1m) puppets.
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Creating a mystery tour exploring the history of the village for children and their families, as part of developing free activities for children and families during school holidays, linked to the Rights-Respecting School Agenda with health promotion, particularly looking at how using outdoor space for running, walking etc can be linked to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.