QUAD arts centre in Derby, have commissioned our director Anand Chhabra to work on a project to work with schools in Derby. Anand was assigned to work with a very diverse YR 4 & 5 pupils, planning and organising activities for learning around transnational migration and heritage. The 5 week project largely focus on how pupils learn about their who they are & why this matters to them. Along with how we celebrate diversity and makefor representation within the city which involves working in a way that declonises the cirriculum and the way of institutions. The pupils also attain skills in taking portraits and story-telling through photography. A number of collaborative partners are involved in the project and this culminates with a focus on the individual pupils heritage and what they can do to themselves readdress representation within collections in the city that are local to them. We also create their own photographic archive for future generations to appreciate in the their school and local library (watch this space!). One of the effects from our work promotes respect of difference and community cohesion along with knowledge and skills sharing that school cirriculum does not address when celebrating diversity with parents, pupils, and stakeholders in the school. Photos below of our second week exploring local collections at Derby Museums & Art Gallery which felt like ‘A Night at the Museum’ where things came to life.
Pear Tree Community School have a day at Derby Mueums & Art Gallery exploring collections and learning Photo-Storytelling Skills. © Anand Chhabra