Creative Activism: learning everywhere with children and young people

Abstract

Creative activism is an approach to education that asks, 'What can happen when we take learning outside the classroom and think of it happening everywhere?'. Two charities-House of Imagination and Cambridge Curiosity and Imagination-have been asking this question in their creative place-making programmes working with socially engaged artists and communities linked to primary schools in Bath and Cambridge. Young children and adults co-create and speculate about the future of their communities and environments in these different geographical locations. This article draws together our shared understanding of creative pedagogies and the value to everyone of working in this way.

Re‐imagining Learning: Spaces of Possibility

“…‘House of Imagination involves multi‐professional teams working in partnership to support children and young people in environments of enquiry, challenging orthodoxies and developing new ways of thinking’ (Hay et al . 2020, 94). House of Imagination involves a creative team: with visual artists, musicians, dancers, theatre makers, live artists, creative writers, poets and other creative professionals as mathematicians, scientists and philosophers (Hay & Paris 2020, 69).…”

“…House of Imagination works with children and young people, artists and educators to invite ‘learning everywhere’, both in school and in the city as a ‘campus for learning’ (Hay et al . 2020, 94). House of Imagination is committed to ensuring that every child, no matter what their background or circumstance has access to an authentic arts education (Hay et al .…”

“…House of Imagination is committed to ensuring that every child, no matter what their background or circumstance has access to an authentic arts education (Hay et al . 2020, 94). Central to this vision is children’s perception of their own identity as artists and how the arts can be transformational in their lives (Hay & Paris 2020, 70).…”

“…This approach integrates a creative and reflective pedagogy, with research at the heart of the process (Hay et al . 2020, 95).…”

“…‘Children are engaged in the cultural life of the place where they live as active citizens and stewards of the environment, helping children become confident and progressive thinkers, who feel a deep sense of connection and purpose’ (Hay et al . 2020, 95).…”