Solihull Arts Complex

26 November 2020 Update: To ensure continuity, art workshops will continue online without interruption if restrictions are imposed. AATHCIC is committed to ensuring online sessions are interactive and deliver a live tuition experience similar to being in the studio. 

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Give your child the gift of art and boost your child’s creativity, confidence, wellbeing, resilience and problem-solving skills.  Art Club uses themed projects to allow children to experiment with different techniques and develop drawing, painting and making skills. All materials are provided except artfolders (available for purchase at first session for £4.50). Please bring an apron or wear old clothes–being creative can get messy!

If you cannot start on 24 April, we accept late starters – dependent on places.

Arts Award– Children will have the opportunity to achieve Arts Award at either Discover or Explore levels according to age and developmental stage.

 

What children and parents say:

***** “The best art class I have ever been to.” Violet

***** “Aiva has loved every minute of art club.  It has given her the time/tools and confidence to express herself. Loved the presentation.” Parent.

***** “Art Club is really fun and you get to try things you would not do at school.” Participant.

***** “Fantastic creativity.” Grandparent Daphne C.

***** "I was moved to tears by the Nordic project and the beautiful artistry completed by the children." Parent Sophie T.

***** “Pauline has enjoyed the Art Club tremendously and the work presented by students at the final show was really excellent.  Congratulations to Mukesh and his team for such fantastic teaching.” Pauline’s dad.

***** “A highly creative environment for children to explore ideas and flourish – extremely positive guidance and encouragement to explore new ideas.” Parent Chris W.

 

Changes to Art at the Heart CIC Classes – Covid-19 Regulations for your Safety

We’re delighted to start re-introducing our Art Courses, which will return with some important and very necessary changes. 

Our first priority is to protect attendees, tutors and staff at The Core and so we’ve considered carefully how to manage our popular classes with minimal contact.  Change is always difficult for the first few weeks, so we would ask all attendees to read all sections below carefully and follow the new ways of attending designed to keep us all safe.

How do I book a place?

Places can only be booked and paid for by phone or online.  Call: 0121 704 6962 to book onto a course and your child’s name will be on the register at the start of the class. You cannot reserve or pay cash upon arrival.  Visit www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk to book online. 

Please don’t attend a class unless you have pre-booked and paid, we’re expecting classes to be full. Call Box Office (0121 704 6962) if you are unsure of availability.

What new measures are in place?

Participants over 10 years old should wear a face mask to enter the building, once seated at an allocated table, masks can be removed or kept on. They must be worn when visiting toilets or leaving the building.  If a young person has a medical exemption from wearing a mask, please make this known to the tutor.  Tutors will wear a visor throughout the session.

Each workstation will contain artwork, paper, art case and paper towels laid out at the start of each session. Paint palettes and water pots will be handed out where required.  Participants should keep their belongings/bags etc. within their own workstation – don’t share with or borrow from others.

Classes are timed throughout the day to allow a thorough cleaning and ventilation regime.  We’ve allowed up to 1 hour between classes to allow us to fully ventilate the Gallery, sweep and mop floors and wipe down furniture.  Hand gel will be available at the entrance to the building and in the gallery together with hand-washing signage.

What about social distancing?

Course attendees must attend no more than 15 mins prior to the start of the class to prevent any queuing or crossover with others.   Please go straight into the Gallery and find an allocated space or desk.  The space allocated fits with current Government guidelines.  The doors will be held open automatically on entrance and exit.   

Participants should keep within their allocated workstation and respect that others might be anxious to keep away from others so may not wish to chat or move around as may have previously happened.  The maximum attendees will be 16.  Demonstrations by tutors will be performed in a central space, where everyone can see.  When tutors work individually with participants, they will keep appropriate distances at the end of each workstation.  After the class please leave the Gallery promptly to allow staff to begin the cleaning regime.   

Parents should not enter the Gallery unless absolutely necessary and when collecting should wait in Theatre Square.  Encore Café bar tables in the foyer are not available for ‘waiting’ unless food or drinks are being ordered from the Café so please don’t sit down unless you have been ‘checked in’.   Details will be held for Test and Trace purposes. 

Toilets will have clear guidance on the number of people allowed in, plus a regular cleaning regime.

Materials and Equipment

All participants will be provided with basic art materials (pencil, sharpener, eraser, brushes, palette, charcoal, scissors and glue stick) in an ‘easy to wipe’ art case.  The named cases will hold all work and be kept safely at The Core ready for the following week.  These cases will remain carefully stored until the end of the course.   All resources required during the session will be prepared in advance by tutors and laid out on workstations.

Brushes can be cleaned by participants, as directed by tutors, in a ‘one way’ system and returned to the individual art cases.  Palettes will be cleaned and sanitised by Tutors or staff and returned to the cases.

A Summary of changes

• Places are limited - book in advance. You can bring your own drink and/or snack if needed.

• Art cases, containing all equipment and work, will be kept on site throughout the course.

• Don’t arrive early, Wear a mask upon arrival and remove while you’re seated if you wish.

• Follow instructions regarding cleaning, moving around the venue, using the toilets etc.

• Hand gel is available – there will be thorough cleaning and ventilation between classes.

This notice has been prepared jointly by The Core Management and Art at the Heart CIC.  If you have any questions with regard the new arrangements please do not hesitate to contact admin@artattheheartcic.org.

What else has changed?

The Core will provide meet and greet staff to assist visitors stay safe during their time in the building. 

The Changing Places facility remains open and accessible to those who need it.

The Library will be operating a ‘grab & go’ facility on the ground floor only.  Users can select items without browsing or touching them and follow instructions regarding check out.

Council services and facilities operating from The Core all have their own webpages with full details of how COVID-19 regulations have changed their workplace and services. View online at www.solihull.gov.uk or call the Council Switchboard on 0121 704 8000.

Anyone with Covid 19 symptoms should NOT enter The Core. All attendees should follow Government test and trace advice, particularly after being in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid 19. Attendees will be credited if any classes are cancelled.