Little Big Bang believes that children and families need, and have a right to, creative and cultural activity.

To help increase creative opportunities for children and families, Little Big Bang brings creative professionals into key Somerset Children's Centres to work as part of their professional teams.

Three artists are working with three 'constellations' across Somerset - a digital and visual artist, a dance and movement practitioner and a theatre and movement artist. They work as a team, reflecting on their practice and collaborating with the arts and early years contacts across the county to make the best work happen.

Children’s Centres are a new national initiative that provide local ‘one stop shops’ for all the services needed by children, particularly young children, and families. 

The aim of the project is to explore and define the role of the Lead Creative Practitioner. This knowledge will inform development of the role across the county and nationally. A central part of the Lead Creative Practitioner's role is the development of links between Children’s Centres (including their children, families and staff) and the arts community (artists, local venues and arts organisations), in order to raise the quality and quantity of creative arts and cultural engagement. 

Dr Susan Young, of the University of Exeter, is evaluating the project to maximise Little Big Bang's potential to inform national practice.

Little Big Bang runs for two years between 2009-2011.

Little Big Bang project document

 

The Little Big Bang Film

This film came about in response to The Bigger Bang Symposium day on 9 April 2011. The footage from this film was taken by 4 Reel Films on the day and also by Richard Thomlinson during project sessions in Somerset Children's Centres.  The film was edited by 4 Reel Films and the poem was written and narrated by Liv Torc, who was commissioned to write a piece in response the The Bigger Bang Symposium.

To find out about The Bigger Bang Symposium and download the reports click here

Little Big Band is supported by  Arts Council England, Somerset County Council and Paul Hamlyn Foundation