Part of our mission at dot-art is to champion art as an integral part of every day life and we believe this starts at an early age. In response to the current threats on creative subjects in schools, we founded dot-art Schools in 2012 to nurture talent, raise ambition, and take art out of the classroom and into the real world.
Open to both Primary (Year 5) and Secondary (Year 9) schools in the Liverpool City Region, the dot-art Schools annual competition offers a way of keeping young people engaged with the arts, allows them to see a creative career path, and encourages them to attend exhibitions and engage with culture, outside of school.
dot-art Schools 2015-2016 Prizegiving at St George’s Hall, Liverpool
For the past two years, we have had the pleasure of Guest Judge Susan M Coles, Past-President, Member of Council and Member of Professional Development Board of NSEAD (The National Society for Education in Art & Design), announce our Primary and Secondary winners at St. George’s Hall, Liverpool.
Speaking at the dot-art Schools Prizegivings in May 2016, Susan commented on the career possibilities that a creative degree can lead to…
Be creative because you enjoy it and frankly, in these days of constant testing, you need it! But also because for every 10 children sitting here today at least 3 of you will work in the Creative and Cultural industries in the UK. Our fashion, publishing, graphics, and design industries lead the world. The games industry alone employs thousands of people and brings billions into the economy.
Guest Judge, Susan M Coles, with Overall Primary Winner, Aidan Owen, and Overall Runners Up, Ella Wake and Lucy Stenson
Recognising dot-art Schools as a valuable and unique programme, Susan went on to congratulate the combined efforts of the teachers and parents of all who had participated in the competition:
Well done dot-art Schools for this showcase of children’s art and encouragement and opportunity that you give them. Well done busy teachers for all that you do to encourage this in your schools. Well done you fabulous young people who prove that art reflects you as individuals and reminds you that you are not measured just by grades and marks. Well done parents – you create the opportunities too and you will stand proudly behind your children tonight.
Concluding her motivational and congratulatory speech, Susan finished on a remarkable note:
Young people. You are individuals. You are unique. Never forget that.
Overall Secondary Runner Up, Molly Kenwright, with Lord Mayor Cllr Roz Gladden
As dot-art Schools enters its fifth year of the competition, we promise to never forget that and we will continue to develop and grow the annual programme by using our skills, experience and expertise to give the young people of the region access to an exciting new public platform for their creative output.
Last year over 3,500 public votes were cast online, 53 Primary and Secondary schools took part, over 900 artworks were submitted and the exhibition was seen by over 1,000 visitors at St George’s Hall and 20,000 commuters at Merseyrail’s Lime Street Lower Level station. Together, we can make next year even bigger!
Prizegiving attendees were full of pride for the exhibited young artists
Entries are now open for 2016-17 and if you and your school would like to get involved, you can find out more about dot-art Schools by visiting the website, reading our Teacher Information Leaflet and submitting an entry form to schools@dot-art.com
Thank you to dot-art Schools 2015-16 Principal Sponsor, Tangle Teezer, and Supporters: Rathbones, Cass Art, St George’s Hall, Merseyrail, The Big Partnership, Rennies and Albert Dock, Liverpool.
Prizes for this year’s winners included tickets to see the latest exhibition at Tate Liverpool, £50 worth of vouchers to spend at Rennies Art Supplies, a scholarship for dot-art Artist Membership, a family day out for 4 at the Albert Dock and to top it off, each winning school received £250 worth of vouchers to spend on art materials at Cass Art.
Lord Mayor Cllr Roz Gladded, dot-art and dot-art Schools Founder and Managing Director, Lucy Byrne, presenting St Hilda’s CofE High School with their £250 Cass Art Prize