Schools Art Collection

What is the Schools Art Collection?  

The Schools Art Collection is a collection of artworks compiled by Cornwall Council for the use of schools in Cornwall. It is intended to enable the children of Cornwall to engage with art. It includes paintings, sculpture and works on paper. The original aim of the collection was to engage and inspire school children using high quality and interesting works of art, and this has not changed since its conception in 1961. Works from the collection can be loaned to schools or you can request an assembly, a one-off lesson or a museum-based workshop.   

Origins of the Collection  

The collection began in 1961, when the Council received an anonymous cash donation of £100 ‘to help primary school funds.’ It was decided to use the funds to enrich the education of Cornwall’s children through art. The council worked with a group of influential artists in Cornwall, including Dame Barbara Hepworth, to develop the collection over the subsequent years. Artworks were sometimes gifted by artists or sold to the Council for a minimal fee. 

How can we use these artworks to supplement the curriculum?

Artworks can be used in many different areas of the curriculum. In art, pupils can use them to learn about different art styles, movements, and techniques. They are also useful for learning about the history of art, particularly local art movements in Cornwall. Landscape and seascape paintings can be used to represent different geographical elements such as different land, sea and coastline formations. Pupils could create responses to the artwork, whether this be through art, creative writing, music or drama.