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Join dot-art Schools to celebrate creativity despite COVID!

September 2020

As children and young people go back to school this term, teachers have been working hard to adapt their classrooms and schemes of work to deliver a new recovery curriculum focussing on the impact of the COVID pandemic on student’s mental health, rather than purely ‘catching up’ on core subjects. Acknowledging that art is a key way for students to process their thoughts and feelings to try to make sense of the pandemic, dot-art invite teachers to participate in the dot-art Schools programme as part of that recovery process.  

 The positive impact of our programme on students’ well-being has been proven. 

Research carried out by Hope University and Curious Minds last year, showed that taking part in dot-art Schools can nurture children and young peoples’ creativity and boost their confidence. We learnt that the students gain a measurable sense of self-respect from the process. ​ ​​Participating in the competition can also raise students’ aspirations and engage student’s families. 

“It’s a nice way to celebrate our pupils work and for them to receive acknowledgement for the work they’ve done. I think the awards ceremony is fantastic for boosting their self-esteem getting them out of their comfort zone to go.” ​ 

SEN teacher ​from participating school 

dot-art Schools celebrates and showcases visual arts excellence in schools. The annual dot-art Schools inter-school art competition is a well-established fixture in the academic calendar as we launch its’ ninth year this autumn. The programme was established in 2012 in response to demand from local schools and the side-lining of the arts in the curriculum and to date over 8000 children from 481 schools have taken part.  

Carolyn Murray, dot-art Schools Project Manager reveals “We don’t know what next year holds but our hope is that we can go back to a face to face exhibition and prize giving event. If not, we will once again offer a virtual exhibition and online prize giving. We are very grateful for the support of the Arts Council of England, along with our sponsors Medicash and Arriva North West, which enabled us to present the 2020 exhibition online in a new virtual gallery environment. See for yourself by visiting http://schools.dot-art.com/exhibition/year2020 

“I’ve been absolutely amazed at the ways digital platforms (like dot-art Schools) have allowed for creativity during lockdown. As we begin to recover from the pandemic, I hope that schools embrace these new ways of learning and new ways of working. I also hope that the arts and creativity will be key drivers in restoring a broad and healthy curriculum that helps our young people rediscover their confidence in learning and build their cultural capital.” commented Victoria Merriman, from Arts Council England. 

Registration is now open for primary, secondary and special schools across Liverpool City Region and beyond to join the next 9th annual dot-art Schools competition taking place in 2021. To find out more and sign your school up now for the competition email schools@dot-art.com, call 0345 0176660 or visit schools.dot-art.com.  

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