Arts & Craft links

Dance and Drama links

Blast is the BBC's network of creative teenagers. It provides access to mentors both online and in free events and workshops across the UK. With opportunities to showcase talent, enter competitions and get exclusive creative experiences such as work experience, it's the place for teenagers to get creative.

If you have access to the web from your meetings, Guides will love this! Mini movies of dance routines (eg Bollywood, Bellydancing, Boogaloo, Moonwalk) for them to try.

Surrey Wardrobe. Producing a show? Visit the Surrey Wardrobe collection in Woking; schools and voluntary groups get discount rates. Whether you are an individual needing a fancy dress outfit, or a group who are staging a full scale production, Surrey Wardrobe's extensive range of costumes should fulfil your needs. Costumes can be enhanced with wigs, jewellery, hats, gloves - and that includes the appropriate props too: swords, flags, bags, feathers - the list is endless. Open Tuesday-Friday by appointment.

External link sources of ideas for crafts

Tate Modern. Subscribe to the Tate Modern Newsletter for 13 – 25 year olds to get ideas for crafts (select the Young Tate option, put in your email and submit.)

Tate Modern craft ideas. Regularly updated craft activities suitable for Rainbows and Brownies on Tate Modern website

Art Attack. Fact sheets for all the TV programme Art Attacks over the past few series - regularly updated with the latest ones.

Links to arts events

V & A London. CreateLive is a programme of workshops, courses, and events for 11–19 year olds including activities in our new Digital Studio (kitted out with the latest Apple Macs), creative design workshops in the art and design studios, and a range of free, drop-in events. Activities take place on Saturdays and during holidays. Some events are free and you can just drop-in, for others space is limited so you will need to book in advance. Checkout the current offerings.

Watts Gallery, in Compton, Guildford was featured on the BBC Restoration programme. Famous artist GF Watts (work in St Paul’s) has his work in the gallery there. Although it is currently closed for restoration (until late 2010), they regularly hold fantastic workshops for kids in school holidays and some weekends to raise funds. They usually erect a marquee and hold the activity under cover.

Claire Jones - Arts Advisor, Reigate Division
July 2009