We are delighted to announce that the Creativity for Wellbeing Culture Club project, which BCA delivered with our partner Peter Pan Teaching School Alliance (PPTSA), has been shortlisted for the Primary School Achievement award by the Creative Learning Guild.

The project sought to test the premise that cultural engagement has a positive impact on the overall wellbeing and engagement of children. The PPTSA worked with three schools in challenging areas to offer small groups of learners 20 weeks worth of cultural activity via after-school Culture Clubs. Each child accessed diverse art forms including dance, felt making, cross stitch, and craft with professional artists – including Culture Challenge providers MOTUS Dance, Jo Atherton, Mr X Stitch and Anne-Marie Stijelja – as well as two trips (a nature-based arts day at the Chellington Center, and a trip to a Philharmonia Orchestra concert). All achieved Arts Award Discover and a measurable increase in well-being and engagement.

The shortlist for the Creative Learning Guild awards, which seek to “recognise and celebrate excellence and innovation in creative learning” have been selected by a diverse group of experts, including award-winning children’s author Melvin Burgess and leader in disability arts, Ruth Gould.

The winners are due to be announced at a Creative Learning Summit on Friday 8th March.