school children taking part in an art workshop at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum benefits from William Syson Foundation Travel Fund
We’re delighted to be one of three Scottish arts organisations receiving funding from the William Syson Foundation Travel Fund. The fund aims to overcome the barrier of transport costs by offering free travel to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum for eligible secondary schools, as well as a facilitated art workshop. In this initial year, Glasgow Life Museums will be targeting schools in Glasgow City and West Dunbartonshire, with an emphasis on pupils living in areas of deprivation. It builds on recent research carried out by the National Galleries which highlights the rising cost of travel, coupled by staffing and budget cuts within schools, has resulted in a reduction in educational trips.
The eligible school groups will be offered an artist-led, curriculum-linked workshop with an emphasis on the Critical Studies unit of Expressive Art. Through gallery tours and practical tasks the pupils will develop skills in understanding and writing about art, supporting them with their National 5 and Higher Art coursework. We know from experience that the best way for pupils to understand art is to see it for real in a gallery setting - rather than viewing it on a screen in class!
Eligible schools will be contacted at this end of the month with visits planned to start early November, and continue until June 2025.
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school children taking part in an art workshop at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
I am delighted that the Foundation will work with three of Scotland’s leading galleries to encourage young people to make in-person visits to learn about the works of art in collections across the country. We look forward to hearing about the workshops created to inspire future generations.
The William Syson Foundation Travel Fund is an exciting initiative that will result in immediate nationwide benefits for thousands of school students in Scotland. This innovative project would not have been possible without the positive collaboration of the teams at National Galleries of Scotland, Aberdeen City Council and Glasgow Life.
Beneficiaries of the initial £75,000 William Syson Foundation Travel Fund total grant commitment are:
- The National Galleries of Scotland
- Aberdeen Art Gallery
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow.