Discussing Artist in Residency Proposals

Tuesday, November 26 2013
Museum Adventures with Kitty and George

After submitting a professional proposal to museum staff, I was invited to a meeting this morning to discuss the timescale. As the museum is shut for the whole of December, it was important to get health and safety
forms filled in now and a start date organised. After meeting with Administrator Abigail Large, we have agreed that I work on January 6,7,8 and 9 and on the following Friday, January 17th. As my proposal could be used for months to come, it was agreed that I focus on five objects for now to draw and to see what narrative form. Abigail went through the health and safety aspects: to work in public opening times, ie not on Mondays when the museum is shut and from 10am-4pm.; no eating or drinking is allowed within the museum to protect the collection and I need to sign in and out, as well as for breaks.
It helped clarify what is required but it was encouraging to know that they are behind what I am doing and like my proposals. It means I can start the New Year with an exciting work placement project. In the meantime I will seek to gain as much information about the children's book industry from other professionals who have experience in that field.

Below is the proposal I sent to the museum a few days ago

WORK PLACEMENT PROPOSAL

Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stroud

Tracy Spiers November 22 2013

Kitty and George’s Museum Adventures

Aim

To produce a short story/comic strip about two characters who come alive at night once all the visitors and staff have left the museum in order to investigate the objects.

To make it available at the shop/counter as a pocket money gift and vehicle to inspire visitors to find the very object the characters look at in that particular story as well as come up with their own original ideas for other artefacts.

Objective

To encourage children/adults to really look at the objects in front of them in an inquisitive way; allowing their imagination to consider what the objects were used for and how they looked/functioned in their original context.

Characters

Kitty and George Ham, along with their daughter Jan (my mum) and dog Sheila, used to live in the Mansion House between the years 1947-1957.  George was the park grounds man and as part of his job, was given a large flat in the upstairs part of the house. Their bedroom is where the woollen looms and Erinoid button cabinet are now housed; their lounge is where the old traditional games are. Kitty died earlier this year, age 96. George died in 1996 aged 79.

As a tribute to my grandparents, I thought it would be fun to recreate their personalities and bring them alive by making them the lead characters.

George and Kitty

Kitty can’t resist touching the objects and taking a closer look, while George is the sensible one and tries (without fail) to keep her in check.

Example of the examination of a mud ball, using drawings from my sketchbook from a recent visit to the Museum in the Park. The mud ball has an amazing structure and is a great example of how the imagination can take hold. It is perfect for exploring for miniature people!

Timescale and idea development

·         To draw artefacts from different time periods and in different parts of the museum for five days, possibly in January

·         Take back the information to home studio and come up with a short adventure around the objects chosen.

·         The format would be a hand-size stapled, stitched or naturally folded book, about A6 size which could be sold for 50p in the foyer. The aim would be for young visitors to find the objects Kitty and George have been looking at.

·         Completion date for first adventure, estimated for February half-term.

·         It could be followed up with an activity for children to draw an object which they are intrigued by and develop their own imaginative narrative

·         To write a blog which can be linked to the Museum’s website to record the progress of Kitty and George’s Adventures.

Costs

Costs would be minimal as the books could be made from one single A4 sheet. One side of the sheet would contain the story images, and then folded into book format; the other side when opened up would be a full colour A4 sized drawing of the object investigated with Kitty and George on the scene. If it is successful, a series could be made with a professional book made of the entire collection of adventures.

Health and Safety

I would not touch or handle objects but would draw them in their current display cabinets unless given special permission by staff. Obviously I would be considerate to visitors and keep my work materials – pencil, pen and pencil crayon – in an orderly and safe manner.