River of Hope

River of Hope is an arts-based learning project that uses environmental themes and creative arts practice to help young people express their concerns about the climate crisis. The project is a partnership between Thames Festival Trust and Norfolk & Norwich Festival. In the first year of the project we worked with ten primary schools in King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth and, in the second year, will work with five secondary schools in Norwich.

‘We hope that through this project they will be inspired for the potential of art in their lives and that it will give them a glimpse of how powerful art can be in delivering important messages about climate change.’ Kate Forde, Thames Festival Trust’s Head of Education and Engagement

River of Hope gives young people the opportunity to create original artworks under the guidance of inspirational artist Ali Atkins. Through the project young people will be able to reflect on their experience of being immersed in nature; discuss their concerns about climate change and the positive changes they would like to make; and to decide how they would like to communicate their wishes and concerns using art as their medium.

The project seeks to support teachers by giving skills and confidence to apply art-based learning to their practice. Teachers are given access to a host of online resources enabling them to include climate change topics within their curriculum. Ali has been instructing teachers on various art techniques and Historic England presented on the heritage and significance of the rivers in these towns.

‘I’ve enjoyed the children’s inspiration and them just being in awe of the different art techniques that they’ve done, the looks on their faces have just been amazing.’ Teacher, Walpole Cross Keys Primary School

In partnership with the British Council and Ville de Rouen, the project will be mirrored in France and each of the schools from the UK will be partnered with a school in Rouen, enabling them to bring an international dimension to the work and to their teaching of environmental themes.

River of Hope artworks will be produced as installations which will be shown at Norfolk & Norwich Festival in 2025.

Hear artist, Ali Atkins talk about the project:

Artist

Ali Atkins

Locations

Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn & Norwich, Norfolk

Participants

Over 350 Key Stage 2 pupils and 21 school staff, including ten lead teachers from:

Great Yarmouth – Cobholm Primary Academy, Edward Worlledge Ormiston Academy, Southtown Primary School and St Nicholas Priory Primary School

King’s Lynn – Clenchwarton Primary School, Gaywood Primary School, Heacham Junior School, Snettisham Primary School, Walpole Cross Keys Primary School and West Lynn Primary School