NADFAS encourages individual Societies to promote high quality arts activities for young people through Young Arts. The valuable contribution of the arts to the development of creative, cognitive, communication and social skills is widely acknowledged. NADFAS aims to inspire young people with a lasting enthusiasm for the arts and an awareness of our arts heritage and its conservation, and to expand the horizons of young people through their involvement in creative arts.

Our vision is equality of opportunity for all to learn through participation in the arts and Young Arts volunteers from our Societies play a vital role in introducing young people to the arts. A visit to an art gallery, working with an artist, watching a craftsman at work, being part of an audience at a good production of a play or opera or taking part in a concert can provide the spark for a lifelong interest.

NADFAS is divided geographically into Areas and each Area has a Young Arts Area Representative. I am the Representative for the West Midlands Area and my role is to promote Young Arts, to give support and encouragement to all Young Arts volunteers, to maintain the momentum of activities in Societies who are already involved and to encourage all of our Societies to support Young Arts.

Most of the West Midlands Societies have a Young Arts Representative who is responsible for setting up projects and supervising them in their area.

The Representatives establish links with schools, colleges, local education authorities, museums and galleries and assist in the channelling of funds and support from their Societies to the projects.

 

NADFAS and the Royal Society of British Artists

Following the collaboration between NADFAS and the RBA (the Royal Society of British Artists), Alexandra Stevens was named a RBA Scholar. In last year's national competition her work, entitled "Horse's Head", was one of 20 chosen from 148 entries to be displayed alongside professional artists in the RBA's 2011 exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London. Margaret Cunnington, Young Arts Representative for Stratford-upon-AvonDFAS, encouraged Alexandra, then a pupil at Stratford Grammar School to enter.

Alexandra is pictured at the Private View showing her work to Gri Harrison, National Chairman of NADFAS. The work, "Horse's Head" is 90x80x20 cms (including the base upon which the head stands) and the medium is welded steel. The work was constructed in response to the requirements of the Advanced Level Examination and formed part of Alexandra's exhibition for the same purpose. Alexandra works in a variety of other media including acrylic, oil and mixed media. She is now in her first year studying for a BA in Fashion Design at the University of Birmingham's Institute of Art and Design.
Click on the image to see a larger version

Needwood DFAS; Duncan Ferguson
Continued to sponsor John Taylor High School and is considering submitting some pictures displayed at their recent Art Exhibition to the NADFAS/RBSA competition. The NDFAS donation was used for awarding book vouchers (including one to a pupil in a local primary school) with any remaining money to be used to purchase contemporary art books.

Royal Leamington Spa DFAS; Rosemary Jewel-Clark
Continued to support Playbox Theatre. Continued to provide an award for the best Foundation Year student at Warwickshire School of Art. The winner of this annual prize also receives a bursary for the 3 years of their undergraduate study. Granted money to help fund materials and the time of an artist to create an attractive and stimulating space in the reception area of a local primary school. Have also agreed to support a young player through an Advanced Musician award. Cuts in funding were affecting the service the authority could provide and this money will allow 15 hours of specialised instruction and the opportunity to play in ensembles which would otherwise not have been possible. This award has been made initially for one year.

Solihull DFAS ; Christine Mulira
Is completing a project started last year supporting the installation of 5 large scale models of flowers in the outdoor learning area of a local infant school (see NADFAS Review Spring 2011). To complete the project some willow sculptures of "mini-beasts" are planned.

Stourbridge; Ann Norgate
Sponsored two art competitions with Old Swinford Hospital School: one for Year 9 and one for A Level. Donated £300 to "Side by Side" theatre - working with people with learning difficulties. Donated £300 to Chadsgrove Special School to pay for an Art Specialist to help them make a moving sculpture.

Stratford-upon-Avon DFAS; Margaret Cunnington
Supported instrumental day at Wilmcote Primary School led by 2 members of the CBSO.
Ongoing support for the Armonico Consort "Big Mouth" Appeal preparing primary pupils in the Stratford area for a celebratory concert in the Royal Albert Hall in December 2012. Concert in the main theatre of the RSC of Carmina Burana gave pupils from the 4 schools which SADFAS support a chance to participate in a large ensemble with full orchestral support and professional soloists.
Financial support given for the transportation of the sculpture which was a winning entry at the NADFAS/RSBA Exhibition in London in March 2011.
All local secondary schools circulated with information and subsequently entries selected from The Girls' Grammar School and Stratford College and submitted for the current Art Competition sponsored by NADFAS/RSBA.
Trails for 2 local Warwickshire churches completed and prepared for publication.
Bookbinding course for Year 10 GCSE Art Group at Stratford Girls's Grammar School. An intensive day's work led by a professional bookbinder introducing the girls to basic skills.

Wrekin; David Harding
Continues to sponsor one young organist.

This report was compiled against the background of a very troubled England. I think the work done by YA representatives is so very important. The funding available in societies has to vary as it is dictated by the size of the society. Nevertheless it is heartening to read of the support given to the wider community enabling and encouraging young people to be involved in learning/perfecting an artistic skill.

Sue Mason
August 14, 2011