My Neighbour My Community

My Neighbour My Community Project
 
My Neighbour My Community project took place between February and May 2015 working with 5 local primary schools, introducing year 4 and 5 classes to different cultures and religions.  Initiated by Falla Park Primary School with funding by The Big Lottery, the project was facilitated by the Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS) and delivered by GemArts, with the aim to celebrate cultures from around the world through creative activity. EMTAS staff provided introductory sessions, teaching pupils about the specific culture or country they would be studying, then GemArts’ artists built on this, delivering workshops that enabled pupils to learn about customs, traditions, artwork, music, dance and much more. The project engaged over 150 Gateshead pupils, teaching them about communities around the world, and culminated in each class producing a finished art work or performance to share with others at a special celebration event in June 2015.
 
Schools and Art Work
Birtley East Primary School: Traveller History and Silk Painted Banner
Falla Park Primary School: Indian Rangoli Art, Bollywood Dance and Indian Storytelling
Clover Hill Primary School: African Drumming
Kelvin Grove Primary School: Glass Art Installation inspired by Polish traditional paper cutting
Lobley Hill Primary School: Islamic design canvas banner and clay hasma hands and lino cut printing
 
EMTAS
The Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS) is a team of dedicated teachers and bilingual specialist staff that support schools to raise the attainment of Black and Minority Ethnic, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller and refugee and asylum seeker pupils. EMTAS provides consultancy and training for staff, support for BME/GRT pupils and home-school liaison in various languages. The team works in schools throughout Gateshead to counter racism and promote tolerance and understanding between all groups in the community.
 
 
Special thanks to:
 
Participants and Staff from: Birtley East Community Primary School, Clover Hill Primary School, Falla Park Primary, Kelvin Grove, Lobley Hill Primary
All artists, EMTAS and GemArts teams

In association with; Gateshead Council, Education Gateshead, EMTAS

Funded by; Big Lottery, Office for the Police & Crime Commissioner