The Burton launches urgent online appeal to help school children get access to art

People in North Devon and Torridge are being urged to donate online in the next four days to help more local schoolchildren enjoy art at The Burton at Bideford.

The gallery has launched its Burton Futures campaign to try and raise £5,000 by Tuesday (March 25), which will be match-funded if donations are made via the online Big Give campaign.

The Big Give is a national initiative which matches funds donated for a wide range of good causes.

The Burton fears some local schools and children will lose access to art as education budgets tighten – the exhibitions at the Bideford gallery are free to enter, but it can easily cost a school £250 to hire transport to take one class to the gallery.

With a high demand on school budgets, it means some pupils may well be denied the chance to enjoy or be introduced to art.

The Burton’s Annual Schools Exhibition is currently running until April 22 and its colourful, joyful displays are a reminder of the vital part that art plays in the lives of children and young people.

Harriet Cooper, Director of The Burton at Bideford, said: “We believe that every child in North Devon should have access to art, no matter where they grow up or go to school.

“Our Burton Futures campaign will raise money to offer schools financial support to bring classes to The Burton or to have artists visit their schools with The Burton Art Box.

“Every pound you give to the campaign will be matched by the Big Give, enabling us to help more children access creative activities – because it all starts with art.”

The fundraising target is £5,000, which will be match funded to reach £10,000. This will be used to help children, schools and young families access art over the next 12 months.

It will provide £4,000 of bursaries for schools in North Devon to visit The Burton for a workshop led by an artist, as well as £4,000 of bursaries for The Burton Art Box to visit local schools in North Devon with an artist.

It will also provide £2,000 to support The Burton Teacher’s Network, a group that supports teachers to engage in peer-learning and professional development to help embed art and creative activities in teaching practices.

Don’t miss the Burton Schools Exhibition in the coming weeks and entry is free.

If you would like to donate to the Burton Futures campaign, please CLICK HERE to donate via the Big Give website.