On the 10th February, 2009 schools from across the UK travelled to London for the national finale exhibition of Create-a-Quest, a cross-arts project devised by Children & the Arts and supported by Land Securities.
Create-a-Quest linked 16 arts organisations with local primary schools and a Land Securities shopping centre, and has introduced over 2,000 children to two or more art forms. For many, this has been their first experience of the arts.
Since September 2008, children from Liverpool, West Lothian, Aberdeen, Sunderland, Leeds, Cardiff, Maidstone, Margate, Shepherd’s Bush, Stratford, Lewisham, Exeter, Corby, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield and Porstmouth have been working with partner arts venues in their area and have participated in workshops led by creative practitioners introducing them to their selected art forms.
The finale event, held in the beautiful Georgian Church of St. Mary’s, Marylebone celebrated the work created by all 42 schools involved in the project. For those children that attended they had the chance to view exhibitions of the work created as part of the project, performances to watch and workshops to participate in.
Donal McCabe, Director Corporate Communication, Land Securities said: “Land Securities wants shopping centres to be a partner of the communities they serve, not just a place that happens to be there. Working with Create-a-Quest we aim to help local school children enjoy themselves while learning about both themselves and the arts. “
Emma Blanksby, The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts, Project Manager of Create-a-Quest said: “The Create-a-Quest finale will allow us to celebrate the wonderful work created by all the children involved in the project. It will be an exciting day for all.”
