Archive for February, 2010

January sees the launch of the Play Resource Art Competition 2010 to highlight the versatility of scrap materials. Participation offers schools the chance to win art & play materials as well as linking easily with the revised NI Primary Schools Curriculum!

To find out how to contribute to this exciting new collection of artwork created by children at primary Foundation, Keystage 1 & 2 and special needs simply download the flyer.

The competition will culminate in a Summer Exhibition at Play Resource.  The final exhibition will give members Ideas & Inspiration as to how the wealth of scrap materials available from Play Resource can be used as a fun, vibrant, free source of creativity, arts, play and education.

We hope to encourage future generations of artists too by getting them started young! Deadline for entries is Wednesday 31 March 2010 at 5pm.

A new service offered from this month is Membership Inductions for new and existing members.  If you have just joined or renewed your membership why not come along and find out how to get the most from your Play Resource membership, discover all the benefits available to your group, have a tour and collect your free Play Resource shopping bag and cup of tea or coffee!

Inductions are friendly and informal, run on a drop-in basis every Thursday morning at 10am, commencing on 7th January.  Take advantage of this new service and receive a warm welcome on these chilly winter mornings!

If you missed out on previous courses now is your chance to sign up to the BMC Community Arts & Crafts Training Course Level 2 as the course returns, starting at Play Resource on Tuesday 26th January at 10am to 12.30pm for 12 weeks.

The aim of this course is to build artistic skills and confidence, to help develop creativity and generate new ideas for those working (or wishing to) work with community groups.  Entry requirements: No formal qualifications are necessary to join the course, Level 1 is an advantage but not a necessity.  Anyone who has already successfully completed the first two units can come back again to work towards the L2 Award in Art.

For full course details download the flyer. If you think this course is for you register now or for further information call 9035 7545 or email aokane@belfastmet.ac.uk

Help cut down on the number of plastic bags in circulation choking up the environment by investing in the new Play Resource cotton shopper bag.  Improve your green credentials instantly by buying one from the Art & Play Shop for only 99p!

Keep it handy; wear it loud and proud and in one easy move you are helping to protect the environment and spread the word about Play Resource!  We think they are gorgeous…. what do you think?!

Play Resource recently ran a series of training sessions for staff and community artists to develop their knowledge and understanding of both the Youth Curriculum and Child Protection issues.

The sessions on Youth Curriculum Training facilitated by the Curriculum Development Unit www.youthworkni.org.uk gave staff and artists insight into working in the youth sector and a greater understanding of the Youth Curriculum.  It also provided a forum for participants to share their own experience and insight gained from working on arts projects in the youth sector.

A series of Child Protection Training sessions were run by the Keeping Safe Project for those working with children and young people.  This training was tailored for artists and Play Resource staff with each session very well attended, demonstrating the importance placed on having an awareness of such issues.  It was invaluable for anyone having to design or implement Child Protection Policy and Guidelines.  If you wish to organise free Child Protection and Safeguarding Training for a community or voluntary group in Belfast contact Sheina Rigg on 9056 5310.