Case Studies
The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts - In the Land of Illustrations
In the Land of Illustrations was designed to encourage and inspire children to learn about the place where they live; to think about how different illustrators have approached the idea of drawing places; and to develop their own illustration skills.
Two thousand children from as far and wide as Aberdeen, Portsmouth, Cardiff and Sunderland took part. Schools were selected on the basis of need and their enthusiasm for the project and all received a beautiful book and teaching film created by world-renowned artist and illustrator Quentin Blake.
After a teacher training day at Somerset House, teachers, pupils and local illustrators worked together to illustrate places, people and objects in their local area. The children’s work was exhibited in their town centre last October and shoppers were invited to join in artist-run workshops.
Land Securities, who funded the project, commissioned an independent evaluation. It found that our project gave the children an opportunity to realise their creativity, and seeing their achievement displayed publicly gave them a real sense of pride in their work and town.
The project culminated in London in February 2006 with an exhibition of all the work produced around the UK. Almost 500 children attended the exhibition launch and were treated to a surprise visit from HRH The Prince of Wales.
On completion of the project, a teacher wrote: “From a class of 30 including five non-English speakers, two with special educational needs and one sight-impaired, a great big thank you.
”My pupils have drafted, re-drafted, started again and really worked to produce their best.
”And me, their old teacher – well I have learnt that my pupils have got the ability to produce great work. You really have inspired them.”
Click here to visit The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts website.