By Isle of Wight Observer
The second phase of a project that brings together famous paintings and classical music by some of the world’s greatest artists and composers was launched at Ventnor Botanic Garden this week.
Around 100 primary school teachers, pupils aged 4 to 11, and family members, gathered to celebrate Professor Robin McInnes’s ‘Inspiring Art & Music’ project for schools.
Inspired by a thirty-minute interactive video that matches great artworks, each telling a story, with emotive classical music, pupils have researched the featured artists and musicians. Some have painted in the style of Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso and others, while others have written essays and composed their own music to accompany the art.
This term the project was aimed at primary schools. Pupils from Brighstone, Nine Acres and Summerfield primaries, in Newport and beyond, took part in last term’s pilot project, which also involved the Island Free School and Ryde School.
The concept was developed by Professor McInnes to counter attention and funding being diverted away from the arts and music in school curriculums, despite well-documented benefits from studying the subjects as part of a well-rounded education. He said:
“A number of Island pupils have never had the opportunity to view great art or listen to classical music. Now that the concept of this project has proved to work well the intention is to offer the video and its comprehensive teacher guide to every primary school on the Island.”
The launch event closed with a solo performance by Island harpist, Bella Brown, that drew rousing applause.
To date more than 600 pupils, staff and consultees have been involved in ‘Art & Music’ with support and sponsorship from ten leading Island and mainland businesses.
