Our 2026 programme revolves around the theme "Common Ground". The first project we are delivering this year, at Grinling Gibbons primary school, focuses on finding a creative departure point within the school environment, the work of Gibbons in this instance.

 

From there, working with the Headteacher and the Art Lead, Talk About Art developed a comprehensive programme that responds to the needs of the school, the pupils and the teaching staff.

 

Through a CPD session, we discussed the role creativity can play in the curriculum, as well as discussing the arts entitlement from the recent curriculum review.

 

The student-facing aspect of the project was developed with the Headteacher and the Art Lead.

 

The children will look at Gibbons' carvings, visit the V&A museum, and make their own work in response: clay tiles pressed with leaves, flowers, and found objects; lino prints cut and inked by hand. The project ends with a real exhibition, curated by the children alongside TAA Project Curator Aron Weber. They'll decide which work goes in, where it hangs, and what the labels say.

Along the way, children pick up new vocabulary for talking about art and objects: carving, relief, impression, pattern, repeat, curating, exhibition and audience.