Arts & Culture
Meet Alex and Caryl
Our new 2021 artist and author in residence! Find our more about artist Alex Godwin and author Caryl Hart and their professional practices here.
Each year Inspire commissions an artist and author to create and deliver a programme of visual art and literacy activity with our libraries for children and families, inspired by and linked to the Summer Reading Challenge
Stimulating creativity and imagination, we ask that the artist and author enhance our existing library programmes, influence new directions using their professional expertise and to leave a legacy of collaborative work.
Inspire are delighted to announce that artist Alex Godwin and author Caryl Hart have been selected as Inspire's 2021 Artist and Author in Residence! Find our more about their professional practices, we're looking forward to this exciting collaboration.
The Summer Reading Challenge
Over the last 5 years Inspire have delivered a visual art and literacy residency programme connecting with local schools in advance of the Summer Reading Challenge period. Both the commissioned artist and author create writings and artworks with the school children that results in the Summer Reading Challenge Exhibition which is displayed in an Inspire Library Gallery and online throughout the summer. We hope that the children are inspired to take up the challenge, in turn encouraging more people to take part.
You can find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge in libraries here
The Charity Knitting Challenge
Each year we support a different knitting and crafting charity and 'call out' to groups and individuals that want to be involved and take part. The annual theme is announced in the Spring and the resulting work is collected and displayed throughout the summer.
To find out more and to take part in this years Charity Knitting Challenge click here
Arts & Culture
In Residence - 2020
Erin Fleming and Frances Stickley were the 2020 artist and author in residence for Inspire. Follow their residency and exciting digital collaboration here. This project is part of Inspire's Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation funded work.
Arts & Culture
Out of This World - 2019
These workshops and the resulting exhibition were inspired by the Summer Reading Challenge 2019 theme Space Chase and is part of Inspire’s Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation funded work.
Arts & Culture
Mischief Makers - 2018
Inspired by the 2018 Summer Reading Challenge theme Mischief Makers, Inspire commissioned local artist and author, Duncan and Emma Pass, to create a crazy comic strip exhibition! This project was part of Inspire's Art Council National Portfolio Organisation funded work.
Arts & Culture
Visual Stories - 2017
Inspired by the 2017 Summer Reading Challenge theme Animal Agents, 5 practitioners worked with school pupils to explore visual literacy, mask making and creative stories. The Visual Stories project was supported by Arts Council England Lottery Grants for the Arts and The Mighty Creatives.
Arts & Culture
The Big Friendly Read - 2016
In 2016, Nottinghamshire schools and artists were inspired by the fantastic stories of Roald Dahl. Together they created amazing artworks and an ‘interactive reading shed’ packed with colourful Dahl characters.
