Barnsley Museums support local families with art packs
Barnsley Museums have sent out 500 art and craft packs to children and families in the Dearne Valley.
‘Museum Makes’ boxes contain a range of art equipment and craft activities for children, to provide inspiration and ways to be creative during the half term holidays. The packs have been made possible thanks to funding from the Cooper Gallery Trustees.
Children from three schools and two family centres in the Dearne have received the packs and the Museum team is looking forward to seeing artwork created from the materials provided.
The project is just one of the ways Barnsley Museums supports local communities with creativity through the cost of living crisis, and highlights ways in which culture and creativity can enhance health and wellbeing.
Alongside the packs, Barnsley Museums is also hosting a wide range of free family activities across its five attractions during the Barnsley school holidays, and has also been working with Family Centres across the borough to support their free family activities through their warm space’s events.
Paul Elmhirst, Chair of the Cooper Gallery Trustees said: “Having access to art has proven essential to our health and wellbeing. We feel that it is important that the young people in our borough have access to materials and opportunities that allow them to explore their creativity and express their thoughts and feelings. We are delighted to support this project and hope to inspire artists of the future. The money raised by the Cooper Gallery Trustees is all applied to preserve and promote the town’s outstanding collections and to encourage our young people to become our artists of the future.”
Cllr Robert Frost, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “Barnsley Museums are much more than buildings and collections. The work they do directly impacts local communities and residents every day. Their ambition is for quality cultural experiences to be accessible to all and experienced in lots of ways. Health and wellbeing, support and inclusion, and creating interesting and enjoyable experiences that make people smile, think, and be inspired are at the very heart of what they do.”
Barnsley Museums are seeking additional funding which will allow them to distribute more of these packs across the borough. People can support this project by texting COOPERG to 70085 followed by the amount they wish to donate.
For more information what’s happening in Barnsley Museums this half term visit www.barnsley-museums.com/digital/family-activities/holiday-activities/museum-makes-february-half-term