In Section 1 – Seeing a Bigger Pictureread about:
the role clay can play in fostering social and creative responses to big picture questions such as climate change and wider environmental pressures
the decline of hand skills and where engagement with clay can lead in life
perspectives from many different fields on why the development of hand skills and deep knowledge of the material world matters so much
the physical, material and environmental facts about clay
Everyone should read this opening section for pointers as to the continuing significance of clay and hand skills’ development and where clay studies can lead in life. In Section 2 – Connecting beyond the Artroom read about:
the story of Clayground Collective and its mission to take clay out beyond the art room to investigate the material more widely, across the curriculum, in performance and story-making
how to handle clay - practical guidance
practical ways and creative ideas for introducing clay into different subjects in schools
Clayground Collective Case Studies:
how Clayground worked with a story-maker to create permanent installations in a public garden
how they worked with other experts as part of a regional schools’ enquiry into clay in London
how they advised a national project to re-fire kilns in schools across the country
(includes practical notes for working across school subjects and organising an introductory session for school staff) If you are a teacher, parent, school governor, artist-facilitator or, education policy-maker, Section 2 has ideas for projects and activities that can bridge school and community life. In Section 3 - Putting Clay and Communities Centre Stage , read about:
how to reconfigure, through the medium of clay, connections to local resources and to one another
how Clayground Collective has engaged the public in civic settings
how they make projects happen – getting ideas off the ground and keeping creative efforts going over time, adapting to circumstance and opportunity
digging clay and exchanging clay locally and internationally
working with clay through archaeological ceramic fragments
how the Clayground explored contemporary links between clay and canals
how poets, artists, a film-maker and photographer took inspiration from clay as the starting point for new works
how to use kiln construction and celebration as a focus for community celebration
how to work work with museums, galleries and libraries, forging crossovers between historic collections, visual arts, and reading development.
Chapters on fundraising and forming key partnerships show how tosecure essential resources to realise creative projects, and practical considerations when preparing projects to engage the public. Finally, the book sets out practical considerations to take into account when preparing projects to engage the public.
