great arts & cultural stuff to do at home
SPECIALLY SELECTED & COMMISSIONED FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE IN CARE, THEIR CARERS AND FOSTER SIBLINGS
tabletop challenges
Things you can do from a desk, table, sofa, etc. Includes making, crafting, research, small movement, writing and composing. Click on a heading below to zoom down to the films.
WINTER CHALLENGES
Why not try a creative challenge over Christmas? We've something for all ages!
Photography challenge
Particularly suitable for secondary ages, but younger people could try it too! Capture that magical winter light with our photography challenge. Click on the image to download the challenge, and pick up tips from our professional photographers Adrian Burrows and Mark Anderson.
Make & Create challenge
Particularly suitable for primary ages, we challenge you to come up with wintery creations! Click on the image to download the challenge
Sensory challenges
Head over to the NurtureStore website, where you can find some lovely winter themed sensory activities.
N.B. page contains lots of ads.
Give it a Go - Photographing Nature
by Adrian Burrows
Meet Adrian, a professional photographer and film-maker, who can help you get started on photographing, up close, the things you find in green spaces around where you live.
Commissioned from Adrian Burrows for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
Chill Skills
There's lots of scientific evidence that being out in nature can be really good for our mental health, which is why we're running a feature on photographing nature this week. And a big thanks to everyone who filled in our Chill Skills poll - overall your most popular way to chill/de-stress/get motivated is to go for a walk or get into a different space.
We asked the artists who took part in our Awesome Arts Festival to make short clips of how they chill, and being out in nature is a common theme for them too. Check out their short films here.
Make & Create - Photographing Nature - share your pics!
by Adrian Burrows
Already a keen photographer? Watch Adrian's film and get started on shooting great pictures of plants and wildlife. You can also download Adrian's guide to shooting on smartphones - some really useful pointers on getting that perfect shot. Click on a flower below to download!
Commissioned from Adrian Burrows for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
Why not share the pictures you've taken with people you know, and find out which ones they like most and why? Or send them to us and we'll feature them in our gallery (plants and/or insects only please).
Find out more about life as a professional photographer from Adrian Burrows' interview on our Career Pathways page.
See more of Adrian's images at https://adrianburrows.co.uk
Make it Mine - World Photography Awards - Youth
Free to enter and open to all 12-19-year-olds, there are monthly themed competitions that you can enter, and September is Natural World & Wildlife.
It's open for entries from 1 to 30 September, and the judges ask you to 'Show us your best wildlife, nature and landscape images you’ve taken this year. From minimalist landscapes to critters in your back garden we want to see the photographs that capture the beauty, drama, intensity and diversity of our natural world. Macro photographs or wide angle vistas are all welcome here.'
Click here to visit the competition page.
Why not send your entries to us too, and we'll feature them in our gallery?
Opportunity to join the BFI Film Academy in Birmingham
The British Film Institute Film Academy
happens over weekends and during October half term. It is a great opportunity for young people to gain an Arts Award and also have something brilliant to speak about to Universities and future employers.
BFI are seeking a diverse group of 20 young people between the ages of 16 and 19 to be a part of the BFI Film Academy Programme delivered by The Company in partnership with Yamination Studios. No previous experience needed .. just an interest in film, script, acting, production or visuals.
When : Some weekend sessions with a focus during Autumn Half-Term October
Where : This year delivery is a mix of online classes, outdoor shoot sites and at Yamination Studios (Birmingham City Centre)
Cost : £25 Fee (but don't be put off as bursaries available for fees and travel)
Who can apply ? any young person in the West Midlands 16-19 years passionate about film or film-making and looking for a career in the industry. There are no qualification requirements just a simple online application form.
You can be in education or not in education, in work or not in work (but not at university). We can offer support if you have specific educational needs and bursaries are available if you need help.
How to Apply : Info and link to the Online application form can be made here: https://thecompanyltd.co.uk/bfi-film-academy/
Deadline : 1 October and please ask for support as were here to help
If you have questions, need support to apply or would like to apply on a Word Document ... Just get in touch and we can help. Email artslinkwm@gmail.com and we'll put you in touch with BFI.
Click here for YouTube PROMO FILM to FIND OUT MORE
Give it a Go - food poetry & literature
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Pop into our Food & Stories tent and watch Michel Rosen’s Chocolate Cake poem.
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Head to our Literature links page and:
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Learn to write a Poem in 10
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Try out the Storytelling Kit
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Make & Create - food tales
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Head to our Literature page and watch Tales from Different Places - a selection of wonderful animated tales from around the world.
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Pop into our Food & Stories Tent at the Awesome Arts Festival and listen to 5 stories which combine food and a tale.
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Try writing a story which features your favourite foods or an acrostic poem using your favourite food as the letters for each line. Use our Creative Challenge by Matt Windle to help you.
Make it Mine - writing styles
Explore different writing styles and genres from story and novel writing with:
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David Almond (YouTube) Here
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Michael Morpurgo (YouTube) Here
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Try poetry, graphic novels, comics and writing reviews - get some ideas from our Literature page
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Hear Dreadlock Alien talk about his work in live literature where you ‘digest words with your ears' on YouTube Here.
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Try Jas Gardiosi’s spoken word quiz in our Poetry Palace.
Research where you can get your work shared and published. We have a gallery that we would love to feature your work on!
Careers - food
Creative Challenge - Making Beats
by Mason Le Long
(as featured in the Artslink Awesome Arts Festival)
Create sweet beats on your phone using a free app.
Older festival goers - create a whole song using Apple Garage Band.
Go & Look Challenge 1 - how music works
by Make Some Noise
One of the best explained introductions out there about how music works. Check out Staffordshire Charity Make Some Noise's Music with Dan on YouTube, and explore building chords, creating melodies, song structure, harmony, playing in different keys and rhythm, meter and tempo, as well as an introduction to making music online. You don't need a musical instrument to take part.
GIVE IT A GO - Animation Challenge
by Sophie Burrows
Brilliant animator Sophie gives you a complete guide to Stop Motion animation using cut-outs.
Commissioned from Sophie Burrows for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
GIVE IT A GO - Graffiti Art 1 - tags
by David Brown - graffitiartist.com
David shows you how to create your own tag using pens and paper.
Commissioned from David Brown for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
GIVE IT A GO 2 - Graffiti Art 2: sketching
by David Brown - graffitiartist.com
Learn how to sketch a spray-can and a side profile face.
Commissioned from David Brown for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
!! DAVID'S CHALLENGE !!
Open to all young people: send us your graffiti designs (email artslinkwm@gmail.com). We'll feature them in our gallery and the first 10 to arrive will be sent a free Tag Bag Graffiti Starter Pack - all you need to get started as a graffiti artist!
On our Career Pathways page David talks about being first inspired by hip-hop and before building a successful business as a busy graffiti artist.
GIVE IT A GO 1 - Journalism
by Vimal Korpal
Vimal introduces the 5 Ws of asking great questions
Commissioned from Vimal Korpal for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
GIVE IT A GO 2 - Getting Creative with Characters
by Vimal Korpal
In this brilliant film Korpal shows how to create and enact your own characters, and use them to support the journalistic activities in part 1.
Commissioned from Vimal Korpal for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
On our Career Pathways page Vimal talks about getting into the industry through creating a stand-up character and having lots of patience.
GIVE IT A GO - Making a Mouth Puppet
by Tess Hills
Make fantastic puppets from envelopes!
Commissioned from Tess Hills for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
GIVE IT A GO - Making a Rod Puppet
by Tess Hills
You can make these amazing puppets from recycled materials from around the home. Check out the accompanying notes to help you with your task:
Commissioned from Tess Hills for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
On our career pathways page Tess talks about her work as a street theatre artist, community artist and maker with her company Curious Cargo, and about her background in theatre, television and puppeteering.
GIVE IT A GO - Making from Recycling 1
by Claire Witcomb
Learn how to make a feather from rolled up paper.
Commissioned from Claire Witcomb for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
GIVE IT A GO - Making from Recycling 2
by Claire Witcomb
Claire shows you how to make flowers from plastic milk bottles.
On our career pathways page Claire shows some of her work and talks about her insatiable desire to make stuff, which she's had since she was young.
GIVE IT A GO - drawing basics
by Jamie Neville
Jamie shows you how to draw expressive faces.
Commissioned from Jamie Neville for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
GIVE IT A GO - more advanced drawing
by Jamie Neville
Jamie gets you drawing superheroes.
Commissioned from Jamie Neville for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
How do you make a living as an illustrator? Find out from Jamie on our career pathways page
GIVE IT A GO - drumming for primary ages
by Sarah Westwood
Sarah introduces some basic West African drumming rhythms based on the 'heartbeat' pulse.
Commissioned from Sarah Westwood for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
GIVE IT A GO - drumming for secondary ages
by Sarah Westwood
Sarah introduces some basic West African drumming rhythms based on the 'heartbeat' and the Macru rhythm
Commissioned from Sarah Westwood for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
Find out more about Sarah's career as a drummer and drum teacher on our career pathways page
GIVE IT A GO - pottery for secondary ages
by Jon the Potter
Jon shows you how to make a coil owl from clay*, using only a plant pot, a bag and some makeshift tools.
Commissioned from Jon Williams for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
GIVE IT A GO - pottery for primary ages
by Jon the Potter
Jon shows you how to make a pear from clay* using just a pencil!
Commissioned from Jon Williams for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
* If you don't have clay, you can try it with Play-Doh or make your own. Either of the recipes below should work, depending on what you have in your cupboard, but please check with an adult before you go making a mess with their stocks!
Check out some of Jon's own ceramic work in our Gallery
GIVE IT A GO - Matt's Big Shout Out
by Matt Windle - boxing poet laureate
Matt shows you how to create rhyming couplets. Send us your rhyming couplet via our Contact page and Matt will combine everyone's into one Big Shout Out poem!
GIVE IT A GO - Acrostic poems
by Matt Windle - boxing poet laureate
Aimed at primary ages. Write your own acrostic poem using the theme and example set by Matt.
Commissioned from Matt Windle for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
GIVE IT A GO - Acrostic poems
by Matt Windle - boxing poet laureate
Aimed at secondary ages. Write your own acrostic poem using the theme and example set by Matt.
Commissioned from Matt Windle for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
Want to find out about Matt's unconventional career pathway to becoming both Birmingham Poet Laureate and ranked 6th super flyweight boxer in Britain?
Watch his career pathways film.
Check out some of Matt's own poems in our Gallery
GIVE IT A GO - Photography Challenge 1
by Mark Anderson - Infuse
Create 4 photo images of hands making a pattern. Each photo needs to have a different hand pattern and a different background.
Commissioned from Infuse for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
GIVE IT A GO - Photography Challenge 2
by Mark Anderson - Infuse
Create 4 photographs, each photograph based on a different word. No faces to be in the image, but you can use feet, hands, arms, back views, objects, shadows etc. Choose 4 words, make your own up or choose a word like support, connections, flight, rest, community, strength, etc. Each photo needs a different background.
Commissioned from Infuse for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.
Want to find out how Mark built a successful career as a dancer, dance leader, photographer and film-maker? Watch his short career pathways film.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL!
Children & Young People: please make sure you stay physically safe when doing any of the activities, and check with an adult before starting, as Artslink can't accept liability for any damage to yourself or property!
Children & Young People and key adults: please be aware of the importance of e-safety.
We strongly recommend the Thinkuknow e-safety website.