> Qdos Creates and The Civic join forces for pioneering project
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Qdos Creates and The Civic join forces for pioneering project
photo: Gavin Joynt
Qdos Creates and The Civic in Barnsley have joined forces in a pioneering pilot project to inspire boys and help them to reach their full potential.
The first joint project between Qdos Creates and The Civic, Moved By Art @The Gallery@ aims to develop links with local schools, introduce children and their parents to the exhibition and performance spaces, and encourage wider participation in the arts.
To start the project, Class 5DT, a group of 31 boys, aged seven, eight and nine, from South Hiendley primary school, will perform Take a Seat, a piece of dance and physical theatre inspired by The Civic's exhibition, A Century of Chairs, on Wednesday, March 10.
The boys, who are being taught at school in a single sex group to focus on their strengths, have worked with Qdos Creates' dance theatre development worker Katy Marsh. She says that dance engages boys who find traditional teaching methods challenging. The boys have enjoyed exercising their physical abilities - and their imaginations. Their performance is inspired by what we use chairs for; from watching television to driving a car, sleeping and playing computer games.
Anjie Taylor, Artistic Director, Qdos Creates, said: "We are overwhelmed by the energy and enthusiasm shown by the boys, who are enjoying the freedom and physicality of the project. Teachers from the school have shown great interest and commitment and everyone is looking forward to performing in the Assembly Room. We are really thrilled to be working in partnership with The Gallery@ on this project. It will be an excellent opportunity for creative collaboration within The Civic and to utilise the great resources on offer. A Century Of Chairs really lends itself to the Qdos Creates style and presents a chance to combine dance and physical theatre in a dynamic and exciting way."
Fergus Justice-Mills, Chief Executive at The Civic, said: "The opportunity to work with Qdos Creates on this pilot project was one of the motivations for the application. The Arts Council has funded the pilot as they, like us, felt it was an innovative way to engage young people with visual art exhibitions, using dance and performance as the route in. I am very excited that this collaborative approach with cross-art-form participation will encourage the increased enjoyment of our contemporary visual arts programme by young people in Barnsley."
Moved By Art @The Gallery@, funded by the Arts Council England Grants for the Arts scheme, is being documented by Barnsley dance photographer Gavin Joynt. His work will help to bring alive the excitement of dance and physical theatre, combined with the visual appeal of the exhibition.