Kids@Art and Art4Age celebrate 10 years of  success
Oxford Artweeks Educational Charity closes doors after 10 pioneering years.

Northern House School mural created with artist Miranda Creswell.

Oxford, 9th November 2009. The Oxford Artweeks Educational Charity, established in 1998 to promote artists’ residencies in schools through Kids@Art, is to close due to lack of funding. Its founder and Chair, Lady Moser, says, “Today we are celebrating the achievements of the past ten years and passing the baton to others who have understood the value of what Kids@Art has achieved.”

Kids@Art has run over 200 successful residencies, reaching over 40,000 children in schools across Oxfordshire. Professional artists from the county have worked closely with teachers and children in both primary and secondary schools to deliver a wide range of projects often leaving the schools with a permanent record of their efforts. Projects have ranged from imaginative uses of recycled materials, living sculptures made from willow, mosaics, film making and creating drawing through music. Schools have benefited in many ways, head teachers frequently commenting on the engagement of children who were previously often withdrawn and the sense of community that the projects engendered. The trustees acknowledge the support both of the schools and artists who have been involved as well as the generous support given by numerous charitable trusts and donors.

Kids@Art had enjoyed notable success in recent years with projects involving primary school children and elderly people in community homes. These encouraged the Charity to establish Art4Age and artists’ residencies specifically for the elderly, supported by The Orders of St. John’s Care Trust and others. Intergenerational projects are wonderful for those at both ends of the age spectrum and although these activities will now also cease, they have often resulted in an ongoing relationship between the school and the Home such as shared Carol Services at Christmas.

In thanking all those who have been involved over the past ten years, Lady Moser adds, “While we are obviously sad that we aren’t able to continue, we are proud of the impact our work has had on so many children and their communities.”

© Art4Age, 2009
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