Todmorden Schools' Tour 2011
Alan Birch
The Todmorden Schools’ Tour
In Spring 2011 we completed our seventh Todmorden schools’ tour. Working with a cluster of seven Todmorden primary schools, print-maker Alan Birch introduced children to print-making techniques using a portable printing press. Over 400 pupils and teachers took enormous delight in creating their own printing templates made with a variety of materials before seeing the results of their work in print.
Previous tours have featured: Folk music and folk dancing, poetry & creative writing, South Asian dhol drumming, contemporary dance and percussion
There’s a great deal to be offered working with a cluster of schools. Although there has to be an agreement on a common artist(s) or art form for the programme there are financial benefits in offering an artist a block of work rather than a single day.
IMPACT
For children:
- Introduction to new skills not always available in school
- Opportunity to work with unfamiliar materials within a new art-form
- Opportunities to speak with and listen to an experienced arts professional.
For teachers:
- Access to new skills and techniques which can be re-shaped for your own classroom.
- New partnership opportunities with individual practitioners and arts organisations