Imagine

7 to 28 September

PRESS RELEASE

AUGUST 2005



IMAGINE – A celebration of art in Oxfordshire schools

7 – 28 September 2005

A major exhibition of children’s art will open at Modern Art Oxford this autumn. The culmination of a year-long, countywide partnership between school children, teachers, artists, museums and galleries, the exhibition is set to refocus attention on the importance of creativity in schools.



Over the past year, artists, teachers and Oxfordshire County Council have worked alongside seven museums and galleries to inspire children into creating art on the theme of ‘Imagine’. Participation from schools in Finland and Norway add an international dimension to the project. All of the work produced during the project will be displayed in the exhibition, or will be available to be seen digitally.



By giving over its entire gallery to displaying the work of local school children, Modern Art Oxford will highlight the importance of art produced by children, and the impact projects like Imagine can have on stimulating creativity in the classroom. Sharing the same space that professional and critically-acclaimed artists have transformed in the past, the work of the young artists will engage with new audiences and members of the public. Andrew Nairne, the Gallery’s Director says of the exhibition: " ’Imagine’

reflects Modern Art Oxford’s commitment to working with schools, encouraging personal creativity and engagement with the contemporary visual arts".



Alongside the exhibition, a conference will take place on Tuesday 27 September, inspiring other local education authorities, teachers, artists and gallery educators to learn from the success of Imagine as a project that encourages creativity as a central strand in children’s education. The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of free, artist-led family days and workshops throughout September. Members of the public will also have the chance to contribute to a debate about the ways in which children’s art is displayed and valued, during an evening discussion on Wednesday 14 September. It will be led by a panel of experts including Felicity Allen, Head of Interpretation & Education at Tate Britain.



Imagine has been co-ordinated by Oxfordshire County Council Directorate of Learning and Culture. It is the result of creative partnerships with seven local museums and galleries: Ashmolean Museum, The Oxford University Botanic Gardens, Modern Art Oxford, The Oxfordshire Museum/ Cogges Farm, Pitt Rivers Museum and the River and Rowing Museum, Henley.



For press images or information, please call Meera Hindocha on 01865 813813.

Press contact

For further press information and images please contact Sara Dewsbery on 01865 813813.


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