BIG ONES LITTLE ONES

ORIGINAL CONCEPT

To have an art exhibition featuring BIG ONES, emerging and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and LITTLE ONES, students from schools in different communities across Australia.

HISTORY

2004 BIG ONES LITTLE ONES 2005 @ Boomalli (inaugural exhibition)

2005 BIG ONES LITTLE ONES 2005 In my life...

2006 BIG ONES LITTLE ONES 2006 Connecting communities

AIMS

The exhibition is based on the following aims:

• To provide
  - Motivation for the development of creative talent
  - A unique opportunity for participation in a special event
  - The prospect of achieving public recognition. Especially in the case of the Little Ones, this also provides positive feedback and thus increased self-esteem, not only for the artists but also their school/centre, family and ultimately their community.
  - Encouragement for students and supporting artists to contribute to an exhibition that is based on inclusiveness and the richness of culture, by celebrating a world in which art, in its many forms, plays such an intrinsic and important part.

• To support
  - Education by promoting children's literacy skills

GOALS are achieved by

• Engaging young artists in a challenging, interesting and exciting activity
• Providing the artists, including the supporting Indigenous artists, with a new context and avenue for exposure of their work
• Offering the audience a diverse cultural experience
• Reinforcing literacy skills, thus underscoring the importance of education.
• Encouraging links between communities, through a shared appreciation of, and respect for, diversity in art and culture.

Finally, this exhibition presents a glimpse of the world especially as children see and experience it - often with humor, occasionally with sadness, but always with great imagination. Therefore, to view the work is a privilege.

OUTCOMES

Overall, the exhibition is an excellent initiative, with tangible and positive outcomes. For example:

• Young artists are really eager to participate in an event they find both relevant and rewarding
• All Little Ones (whose work is selected for the exhibition) are given a specially designed certificate, acknowledging their participation in the show. This encourages them to continue with and further develop their skills
• Although art is the main focus, students write titles for/descriptions of their pictures. This helps to reinforce Literacy skills and Special Awards are presented in recognition of Excellence in Art and Literacy
• Supporting artists are provided with another gateway for showcasing their talent
• Visitors to the exhibition have the exceptional opportunity of viewing an original and very diverse range of artworks, within a unique cultural/multicultural framework
• New links are formed and supports strengthened between the participating communities

Please note: This exhibition is not government funded and is not a fund raising venture. Money from any sales goes to help cover costs. Should any be left over, it will be divided equally between all participating schools.