The Spinney Primary School is one of 15 schools and early years groups that have moo-ved quickly to secure a place on the Cows about Cambridge art trail and entry to the associated Learning Programme. Up to 60 mini moos, representing schools and community groups from across the region, will join some 50 full-size Cow sculptures, sponsored by local businesses, to create a world-class public art project that is guaranteed to become a talking point for the city between 30 March and 7 June 2020.
“The children were very excited to meet the cow and it really inspired them to think about how we will decorate ours next year,” commented Rae Snape, Headteacher of The Spinney Primary School. “We decided to take part in Cows about Cambridge because it will be a great visual way to bring the community together."
"As well as being a fabulous creative experience, being part of the project will mean the children and their families will learn about our famous cows and the city's heritage and culture whilst coming together to create a sense of ownership, participation and pride towards the place we live.”
The 10-week art trail will be delivered next Spring by creative producers Wild in Art, in partnership with local children’s charity Break, and is supported by inaugural sponsor and Principal Partner, Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID).
“The mini moos have been created to give local schools a distinctive, hands-on role in the project,” commented Ben Read, Head of Creative Development at Wild in Art. “Our sculptures are inspired by the rare Red Poll cattle that graze on Midsummer Common during summer months – why not pop along to view the real thing (from a distance!) over the summer break?”
“Involvement in the Learning Programme gives an exceptional, creative opportunity to engage pupils in important topics – from environmental issues and the natural world, to citizenship, health and wellbeing, as well as the opportunity to set design briefs to promote work-force readiness. The project can also be mapped to Arts Award and be used by schools when applying for Arts Mark status.
Wild in Art has some top tips to help PTAs raise funds to enable their children to become part of this inspirational project:
- Get moo-ving. How about a sponsored sporting event?
- Let’s make beautiful moosic. A ticketed musical extravaganza by pupils and teachers.
- Cow-moo-flage. Organise a dress-up day or a non-uniform day with a difference.
- Cow splats! School fete visitors donate to ‘splat’ willing volunteers. It may get messy…
- Udderly hilarious. Could you host a sponsored joke-a-thon or comedy evening?
- Seen but not herd! Dreaming of a little peace and quiet, why not hold a sponsored silence?
- Night at the moo-vies. Host a film night with popcorn.
- Is it pasture bedtime? Create a sponsored read and magical storytelling event.
- Whole-school splat. How about a sponsored version of this classic circle game involving everybody in your school?
After the art trail is over, the mini moos will find their forever pastures back at the schools that adopted them. Many of the full-size Cow sculptures will be auctioned to raise vital funds for Break.
Cows about Cambridge is expected to create a feel-good factor for the city and region, while generating more than £8 million of economic value, promoting wellbeing and encouraging an active lifestyle.
To sign up your school for the Learning Programme, email learning@cowsaboutcambridge.co.uk or visit www.cowsaboutcambridge.co.uk #cowsaboutcambridge.