Charlotte Cranidge

National curriculum Arts Resources, Boston Manor House

Contracted by Boston Manor House to design and deliver a series of high quality formal learning resources that respond to the National Curriculum for EYFS to KS2. 

The resources were designed to increase engagement and the diversity of audiences whilst the site delivers its NHLF regeneration project. Responding to the architecture and design of the Jacobean period house and the individuals who lived there. The aim of each resource isto empower local audiences to connect, create and make sense of their local heritage through meaningful interactions with art. 

Part of the contract was to train a pool of freelance artist educators to deliver the high quality programmes off site, this also included developing children friendly ways of collecting relevant data which could be used as part of the site’s evaluation. Also I was responsible for feeding into the planning of logistics and material preparation for all the resources and their related workshops. 

As a Learning Producer, employed by the Community Engagement Manager at Dulwich Picture Gallery, I partnered with the Learning Team to design and deliver a number of creative programmes. These have included:

Women at Work, EAL Project

This project worked directly with young female migrant, refugee and asylum seekers from the Baytree Centre Into School programme. The project’s objective was to support the mental health needs of the girls who have affected by displacement and trauma, providing an opportunity to regulate stress, reduce isolation and develop creative skills, whilst offering the group a space for open conversations.

The aim of the project was to create a response to the images of the Linley sister, painted by Thomas Gainsborough. Starting with exploration of the painting’s history the group reimagined the sister’s story to create a contemporary and modern take. Activities included producing a stop motion film and a live performance of their reimagined story in front of their peers. The project was designed to improve the groups english language skills and allow them to use the gallery as a safe place to come together, create and share experiences.

Crystal Palace Festival 

This project worked collaboratively with residents from Kingswood Estate, Southwark, using multiple techniques to create artworks. All these works came together to create an art piece which was displayed in speakers tent at Crystal Palace Festival and in the community shop at Kingswood Estate.

Sensory Trail: Sound

Working as a Consultant with the Discovery & Access Coordinator at Kew Gardens to develop a sensory trail, exploring the soundscape of the gardens, with the aim of engaging and encouraging those living with different disabilities to visit independently.

The trail aims to collectively immerse visitors in the grounds through the use of sound, discovering areas of the grounds in different way, using other senses and outlooks. The trail also improves visitors communication - asking them to take part in lively conversational activities and providing them with an opportunity to connect through their own sense, memories and personal experiences. The last aim was to improve and add upon their own knowledge of Kew, including its plant collections, conservation and global work. 

Shoreham Port

Working with Shoreham Port and young Concordia Volunteers as a community artist to create a community artwork. The volunteers, all aged 17 years and under, volunteered for the project as part of their National Citizen Service (NCS) programme organised by the Concordia charity, an NCS local delivery partner and registered charity that promote voluntary work both nationally and globally.

The piece was created in conjunction with Sussex Community Rail Partnership, who aims to connect railway stations with their local communities. The artwork which has been installed in Southwick Railway Station’s underpass tunnel by Pilbeam Construction, spruces up the station and celebrates the history and future of the Port, which is at the heart of the local community.

Follow the story here.

Whilst working as the Adult Programme Coordinator at Orleans House Gallery, I developed the CREATE programme. The aim of the programme was to engage older adults living in care within Richmond and neighbouring boroughs, contributing to improving people’s lives, whilst enhancing physical health and mental wellbeing.

These workshops will also provide participants with a safe environment in which to learn new creative skills, a chance to grow in confidence and connect with other residents living in their community.

Past projects included:

CREATE

Funded by Richmond Parish Lands Charity, the first CREATE programme offered a series of strategic creative programmes which aimed to engage vulnerable older adults, at risk of isolation and loneliness, living within RPLC benefit area.

The artist-led sessions were designed to incorporate works from Richmond’s Borough Art collection, whilst exploring sensory elements and leaving room for personal creative development. The artists engaged older people with different mediums (printing, 3D works, drawing and painting), which will enable participants to learn new art techniques, produce a piece of work and take part in a positive activity as part of a community. 

The project concluded in an exhibition that focused on the creative outcomes and celebrated the creativity of older adults living within the borough.

The event was attended by cultural and health partnerships, as well as the participants’ family and friends and wider community. 

CREATE Reimagine

In response to Orleans House Gallery’s exhibition Reimagine in which eleven artists explored a variety of approaches to reimagine artworks from the Richmond Borough Art Collection, patients from West Middlesex University Hospital created their own interpretations and questioned how much our view has changed and how art reflects the world it’s made in.

The sessions were delivered by exhibiting artist Alexandra Robb and RA graduate Lucy Evetts , in partnership with hospital charity CW+ as part of their arts in health programme.

To view the full collection of works create patients please visit the project’s website.