Artists wanted to help with Young Sketch Bookers project

Young Sketch Bookers is a new project (part of our Creative Connections Commissions) by Black Country Art Council that will be taking place July to September 2020. The team’s aim is to supply art materials to children during and after the Covid-19 lockdown.

The art packs will be distributed through the Black Country Foodbank and Dudley Performing Arts.

Each pack is aimed at making art easy and will include a sketch pad, pencils, crayons, paints, an eraser, ruler, and pencil sharpener.

The project will encourage children to get creative and share their work online using our hashtag #YoungSketchBookers. They can also return artwork to the Black Country Foodbank to be exhibited and celebrated.

“After the lockdown ends, we hope to host an exhibition of the children’s work!

We will initially reach a minimum of 200 children and families and are moving forward quickly to collate and distribute the packs to those most in need.”

How can you help?

Sometimes children need a little inspiration or direction to get started. The team want to include ideas and tips from artists, to feature on their social media channels. Select one or two of the art materials mentioned above and create a 1-3min video demonstrating how to create with them.

The video will be promoted online to accompany the pack launch and distribution.

Simply record a video demonstrating a fun, creative activity, and send it over to them.

They will sort the rest out (adding a BSL interpreter, logos, etc), then post it online for children to watch and learn from!

We want children to learn that making art can be easy and fun, and to just getstuck in. We want them to learn that a career in the arts is both a viable option, andessential for society.

If you would like to help engage children in the arts, sharing skills and ideas, please let them know.

How can you get in touch?

If you would be interested in helping us with this project, please send your idea(s) to: blackcountryartscouncil@gmail.com with the header “Young Sketch Bookers” and your name