Action for Children’s Arts

House of Lords debate aspects of children’s TV

Neil Rathmell — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:55:21 +0000

In a debate in the House of Lords on 21 November, Baroness Floella Benjamin, one of ACA’s Patrons, asked how the government would ‘ensure higher prominence for children’s public service channels on electronic programming guides’.

The Case for Cultural Learning

Neil Rathmell — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:37:29 +0000

The Cultural Learning Alliance has published evidence to support the case for cultural learning, drawing on research from a variety of sources. The result is a valuable and time-saving resource for arts organisations working in the education sector.

Dorothy Heathcote

Neil Rathmell — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:49:01 +0000

Dorothy Heathcote, one of the great pioneers of drama in education, has died aged 85.

Impact of ACE cuts on Early Years

Neil Rathmell — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:56:59 +0000

Earlyarts raises serious concerns in a Future Playground blog about the impact on Early Years arts of Arts Council England’s recent funding decisions. ’Our concern is that, despite the hundreds of new pieces of early years theatre, dance, music, photography, singing, visual arts, sculpture and crafts that have been burgeoning in the last ten years, it is unlikely that there will be a future ‘market’ for early years work in the arts sector since it will become increasingly difficult to sustain a strategic infrastructure or even develop early years practice amongst the funded clients.’ Click here to read more.

What future for children’s rights?

Neil Rathmell — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:50:31 +0000

On Wednesday 7 December the Children’s Rights Alliance for England will host a public lecture by Lady Brenda Hale, the only female Supreme Court justice and a powerful defender of children’s rights. This marks 20 years since UK ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and will discuss the changes the Convention has brought to children’s lives during the past 20 years. Click here for more details.

It doesn’t have to rhyme

Neil Rathmell — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:45:46 +0000

Booking is now open for a conference on 12 November at Roehampton University – ‘Children and Poetry: It Doesn’t Have To Rhyme’. Organised by IBBY UK (International Board on Books for Young People) and the National Centre for Children’s Literature, which is based at Roehampton, the conference will explore aspects of poetry that particularly affect children and young people. Speakers include Dame Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Rosen, both Patrons of Action for Children’s Arts. Click here to book.

Action for children’s rights

Neil Rathmell — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:03:36 +0000

A groundbreaking coalition of children and young people’s charities, voluntary organisations and statutory bodies is joining forces for a year of action to see greater recognition of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and to press for its systematic use and implementation across all areas of children’s lives.

The planning for The Right Year for Children starts on 22 September 2011 with a nation-wide competition for children and young people to create a universal logo to mark the twentieth anniversary this year of the UK Government ratifying the UNCRC on 16 December 1991. Organisations working with children and young people, including the Government and local councils, will be encouraged to use the logo as part of their work and commitment to promote and protect children’s rights. The closing date for the competition is Sunday 23 October 2011 at 8pm.

Maggie Atkinson, Children’s Commissioner for England, says, “We are honoured to be leading the first full year of systematic action for greater recognition of children’s rights with statutory and non-governmental organisations and children and young people. The UK Government ratified the UNCRC 20 years ago, in doing so they promised to use the Convention’s principles as a benchmark for the wellbeing and the best interests of all children and young people. We now want to see the UNCRC recognised as a statutory instrument in this country. The Right Year for Children will press for its systematic implementation by the Government and other relevant bodies.”

The Children’s Rights Alliance for England is running the logo competition on behalf of The Right Year for Children. Carolyne Willow, CRAE’s national co-ordinator, adds, “We hope the winning logo will be used by hundreds of organisations and will really help to increase people’s knowledge and understanding of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Our country signed up to this human rights treaty 20 years ago and we want to get the message out loud and clear that children and young people have their own set of rights protected by international law.”

The competition winner or winners will have their design made into a professional logo by a design agency. They will receive a £100 gift voucher, get to stay overnight inLondonwith their family or carers and spend time with Maggie Atkinson, the Children’s Commissioner forEngland.

For all competition enquiries please contact rightslogo@crae.org.uk

Spark Children’s Arts Festival to appoint new Director

Neil Rathmell — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:37:47 +0000

Established in 2003, The Spark is Leicester’s two week festival of professional performing and visual arts for children aged 0-13. The festival is looking to appoint a successor to its founder and current director, Ellen Bianchini.

Closing date for applications: 12 noon Monday 3^rd October 2011.

Interviews: week of 10^th October 2011.

For an application pack, call 0116 261 6893, email jobs@sparkfestival.co.uk or visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk/jobs.

Children’s TV debate

Neil Rathmell — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:55:54 +0000

The autumn programme of the Voice of the Listener and Viewer (VLV) includes a debate on children’s television in the digital age. Speakers include ACA Patron Baroness (Floella) Benjamin, as well as Joe Godwin (Director of BBC Children’s), Reg Bailey (CEO, Mother’s Union) and Anne Brogan (Director, Kindle Entertainment). The debate will take place on Wednesday 2 November, 6.00-8.30pm, at 1 Whitehall Place, London SW1.

Campaigning for deaf children

Neil Rathmell — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:46:13 +0000

ACA members, Krazy Kat Theatre, invite you to join them in supporting the NDCS campaign to provide more British Sign Language classes for parents of deaf children.