Minghella
launches New Creative Learning Centre in Belfast
Northern Ireland took a major step forward in the development of its creative
industries this week with the launch on Monday 22 March of Studio ON,
an innovative new Creative Learning Centre based just outside Belfast.
Studio ON, which was officially opened by Academy Award-winning director
and Chair of the British Film Institute, Anthony Minghella CBE, is an
accessible and interactive Centre for training and experimentation in
creative learning, new media and the arts.
Studio ON is a unique partnership between the South Eastern Education
and Library Board and the Nerve Centre and represents an unprecedented
fusion of the formal and non-formal sectors. Studio ON is funded by the
Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (through the Creativity Seed Fund)
and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
The Centre will work with students and teachers, young people and youth
workers to offer training, workshop and production projects in a wide
range of different moving image media technologies which complement the
curricula of both the formal education and youth sectors.
Deirdre Quail, SEELB Director of Arts and Creativity and Studio ON‘
s new Centre Director said:
“Studio ON aims to promote the recognition of moving image education
as a key element in all subjects and all aspects of the development of
young people. Giving young people the skills they need to express themselves
and to become involved in a creative learning process in new and exciting
ways is vitally important and that is what Studio ON is all about.”
Ingrid Arthurs of the Nerve Centre and Studio ON‘ s new Director
of Programming said:
“This venture represents a really exciting opportunity for young
people and those who work with them to develop and build their confidence
and creativity through new digital media technologies. Whether it is in
web design or animation, film art or special effects, our diverse range
of creative learning programmes are flexible and respond to young people‘
s interests and aspirations.”
To date Studio ON has worked with schools and youth groups to deliver
a two week Summer Film School for 30 young people, two animation projects
and 17 careers, training and education workshops and events.
Over the coming year the Centre plans to offer programmes which will range
from dedicated educational workshops and training, to careers master-classes
and production projects covering animation, web design, documentary and
film production.
The launch event featured workshops in computer animation, clay animation
and special effects make-up in progress with schools including Bangor
Grammar, Lagan College and Moneyrea Primary School. Also on display were
examples of completed productions, including a French language animation
short produced by Towerview Primary School P6 pupils to be used as a linguistic
teaching resource for younger age groups.
Based on the former site of the O‘ Neill Memorial Primary School
in Crossnacreevy, Studio ON consists of three former classrooms which
have been converted into workshop spaces. The Centre is equipped with
Apple and PC computers with a range of editing, web and animation design
software, a studio for drama and production work, digital video cameras,
sound and lighting equipment, screening facilities and exhibition space
to display the work produced by young people.
Studio ON is located at 2 School Road, Crossnacreevy, Castlereagh, which
is on the main road between Belfast and Ballygowan.
To find out more about Studio ON and the various programmes which will
be on offer over the coming year, log on to www.studio-on.org.uk
or contact Ingrid Arthurs, Director of Programming, on telephone 028 90
44 9834, email: info@studio-on.org.uk
| www.studio-on.org.uk |  |