Ikon Insiders

In Autumn 2008 Ikon Gallery began Ikon Insiders, a three year project with three Birmingham primary schools; St George’s CE Primary and St. Thomas CE Primary, Ladywood and Osborne Primary, Erdington. Involving over 850 children, aged 3-11 years, and almost 60 teaching and support staff, Insiders was devised to increase the confidence of both children and teachers in accessing galleries and responding creatively to contemporary art.

Each year every child visited at least two exhibitions at Ikon. They engaged with high quality, often challenging, art in a wide range of forms including installation, sculpture, video and painting. The children took part in bespoke creative workshops in the gallery, encouraging exploration of their individual expression and ideas. Ikon subsequently worked closely with teaching staff to develop a responsive programme of activity, extending the gallery experiences into the classroom.

Many of the children involved with Ikon Insiders had never previously visited but now are visiting independently with their families. Key to Ikon Insiders is the idea of legacy; long lasting relationships with the schools and children that go beyond organised school visits. Teachers are now using the model of Insiders to develop their creative curriculum, whole school arts projects and to make independent visits to other galleries.

Ikon Insiders is part of The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts’ START programme. This programme is designed to help children build a strong relationship with a cultural venue and provide them with opportunities to improve their creative, personal and academic skills.