Today’s Pupils, Tomorrow’s Architects

A partnership between the Arts Council and Queen’s University is helping 300 primary school pupils explore the links between architectural design and a number of curriculum subjects.

Connections is a pilot initiative involving the School of Architecture, Dr Judy Appleby of the University of Central England Birmingham School of Architecture and Landscape and six Belfast primary schools. Since January, 74 student architects have been working with teams of P6 and P7 pupils in exciting practical workshops.

The Arts Council granted £11,400 in total to the project – £8,000 directly to QUB and £3,400 to the project partners at the UCE. The initiative is part of a concerted programme of activity developed by the Council to widen access to architecture and design as art forms.

The Council’s aim is to encourage creative participation on built environment themes in primary education and also to encourage dialogue between architecture students – the professionals of tomorrow – and the wider community (which they may be able to continue on through to their practice).

The initiative reaches its climax on Friday, April 2nd, with a presentation to the participating pupils and schools in the Sir William Whitla Hall at Queen's. The event runs from 9.20am to 11.30am. Media opportunities are available at 11.30am.