Talk About Art & Tides of Change

Talk About Art & Tides of Change (TAATC) was devised as an enrichment programme for children who come from
deprived areas and disadvantaged backgrounds, looked after children (LAC), homeless and asylum seekers qualifying for Pupil Premium Grants (PPG).

• The objectives of the project were to;

• To engage up to 20 children with art and artists inspired by the River Thames

• To inform these participants about the influence the River Thames has had on work, trade, social interaction, entertainment and cultural mix

• To encourage creative responses to the information delivered to form part of a public exhibition

• To encourage verbal analysis and critique and record this on film to form part of a public exhibition

• To produce a piece of installation art for the local community

• Through this to encourage the children to see themselves as valued members of the local community

• To encourage the local community to see these children as valuable contributors to the local community

• To expose other local school children and family groups to the project by delivering free workshops as part of the public exhibition

• To expand Talk About Art’s reach into the Royal Borough of Greenwich

“St Alfege Church was delighted to be involved in the Talk About…ART & TIDES OF CHANGE project and host the exhibition for two weeks during the summer. The exhibition drew a great cross section of people within the community and provided a brilliant spring board for people to explore and express their own connections to the River Thames. It was also great to see local school children and families sitting in the pews with artists and developing their own artistic responses.”

Rebecca Parrant, Heritage Engagement & Interpretation Manager| St Alfege Church

Examples of the work inspired by the project

“The Tides of Change project gave the children the opportunity to learn from professional artists, developing their skills using a range of materials, and have their work displayed in a public exhibition. 

This project provided the children with opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have had access to and enhanced their self-esteem.”

Emily Harris, Head Teacher, St Alfege with St Peters Primary