Making art accessible
On Wednesday 22 March, The Children’s Trust School hosted ‘Accessible Arts Day’.
The purpose of the day was to showcase how the teaching staff make art accessible and immersive for the children and young people that attend the School. This work in the arts helps the learners reach their personal educational goals, as well enhancing their wellbeing and quality of life.
Local schools and professionals working with children with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) were invited to attend the day. Visitors were inspired by the work that was happening in the arts arena within the School, and had the opportunity to ask about equipment, process, curriculum and funding.
Visitors were taken round a series of displays:
Pendulum art
An outdoor pendulum swing with an attached bucket with holes in the bottom was used to create art pieces.
The children and young people chose the colours that went into the bucket using visual cues, and then released the swing using a switch. The bucket was swung over a giant canvas, releasing different colours and creating a beautiful piece of art.
Pouring and spinning art
Switch operated machinery was used to create pouring and spinning art. The children and young people chose colours using visual cues and then used the machinery to create some fantastic art on a variety of materials including canvases, coasters, music records and clocks.
The machinery was created in-house by a staff member’s family and risk-assessed and PAT tested to ensure safety. A fantastic amount of creativity was used to adapt items such as a salad spinner and washing machine drum, into machinery capable of creating this art.
UV music tent
An enclosed gazebo was erected inside the classroom, with dark lighting and UV paints used to create an immersive atmosphere. A backing beat was playing whilst the children and young people each played an instrument over it using an app on an iPad.
The children and young people were able to use assistive technology to create music together and respond to changes in beat and tempo.
Light story
The children and young people had the opportunity to partake in a fully immersive and creative experience in the form of a light story.
The stages were varied and included:
- A ‘PODS Sensory Tent’, which is a fully lit igloo with dome top that can cover a young person in a wheelchair to give a fully immersive experience.
- A light box made using acrylic mirrors and tree branches that was voice activated to encourage vocalisation.
- A piece of equipment called ‘Resonant Tails’ created by Tract + Touch. This equipment was designed for people with PMLD and uses a microphone to echo back sounds, light and vibration through orbs.
- An adapted washing machine drum that lights up from the inside and spins to create a visual effect. This was operated by a remote control.
- A tunnel with lights used to create a kaleidoscope effect that can be operated by a young person using a switch.
- A switch-operated infinity mirror.
- Umbrellas adapted with colour, light and confetti and used to create a personal engaging environment.
Drama
In the School Hall, the children and young people came in groups to give an improvised performance of The Tempest.
Children were assigned roles and were able to choose their costume from a selection, before they took their place within the interactive set.
Lights, music, spoken word and instruments were used to tell the story. The storm that forms part of the story provided a particularly interactive and sensory experience.
Seeing the benefits
Art enables the staff to monitor progress and helps children achieve their learning, quality of life and wellbeing targets.
Art is also used as a source of social enterprise for the children and young people in the School. They create a project and sell it, using the profits to fund future projects.
At the end of the school year the School celebrate with an arts festival. This brings together the whole School and staff across the organisation, to showcase the work achieved throughout the year. It is also an opportunity for people to purchase some of the artwork.
"I want to say a huge thank you to all staff that made the accessible art open morning so successful. As one external colleague wrote 'you're inspiring, your creativity is something for us to aspire too'. Thank you." Launa Randles, Headteacher at The Children's Trust School
