National UK Children’s Art Competition

Today, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign announced its Young Pavement Artists Competition 2007 and is on the look out for the next Picasso. Young people in the UK aged 4-19 are invited to take part in the national art-based, educational and fundraising initiative where they get the chance to create their masterpieces on a novel canvas – the pavement.

To coincide with the International Polar Year (IPY), the theme is the Arctic and Antarctic, home of polar bears and penguins. Mark Speight, from Children’s BBC and president of the Young Pavement Artists Competition said:

“Pavement art can make a real difference to the life of an individual who has muscle disease. Each year thousands of young people take part in this street art competition and raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign that helps hundreds of individuals who are facing the challenges of muscle disease. The art competition empowers and gives young children from all backgrounds, abilities and disabilities the chance to be creative and learn about important issues like muscle disease and issues of our times. ”

The competition has also been backed by international pavement artist Julian Beever and Michael McGrath, Chief Executive of The Muscular Help Foundation, who is the only wheelchair-bound polar explorer to have conquered both North and South Poles. Michael has the debilitating muscle wasting disease, muscular dystrophy.

Michael McGrath said:

“Young people taking part in this art competition have been given a wonderful opportunity to combine their artistic and fundraising talents to help raise awareness and fight muscle disease. The Arctic and Antarctic are truly magnificent places and these wonders of the world should provide great inspiration to those taking part in the competition. I am very pleased to be giving my support to this very worthwhile educational and art-based project.”

Internationally renowned pavement artist, Julian Beever said:

“Children have great imaginations and the theme of the Arctic and Antarctic is a wonderful opportunity for them to stretch their creative and artistic talents by capturing life in these spectacular parts of the world. At the same time learning that animal species like polar bears and penguins are on the brink of extinction as a result of global warming. I am delighted to be supporting YPAC and the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign in their relentless work in helping individuals with muscle disease.”

Shelley Debate, Head of Schools and Colleges at the Royal Academy said:

“The Young Pavement Artist Competition allows children to use their imagination and creative abilities to their full potential while exploring a specific topic; and they do so in support of an important cause. I am so pleased to be involved with this wonderful project.”

Winners of local events can be entered into the national competition where the panel of judges will include representatives from The Royal Academy. Winners and runners-up will receive their awards and prizes at a prestigious ceremony in London this autumn, followed by a public exhibition showcasing the young people’s drawings.

To support schools taking part in the competition a designated website has been produced with free downloadable lesson plans that have been developed to support science, alongside activity ideas for art, geography and global citizenship. These have been designed to explore the themes of the Arctic and Antarctic, as well as developing an understanding and awareness of muscle disease and the role of charities.

Monies raised from the competition will go to the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, the largest national charity focusing on muscle disease. Over 30,000 people in the UK are affected by muscle disease, for which there is currently no treatment or cure.




Notes
1. For more information or requests for promotional pictures, please contact Brenda Ramsey, PR Consultant on 020 8530 7577 or Paula Woodward, Press Officer for Muscular Dystrophy Campaign on 020 7819 1813
2. The Young Pavement Artists Competition is open to schools in the UK.
3. Local finalists must enter the national Young Pavement Artists Competition by 31 July 2007. To register your entry and to download lesson plans visit www.muscular-dystrophy.org/pavementart.
4. The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the largest national charity focusing on muscle disease, supporting over 60 different neuromuscular conditions. It has pioneered the search for treatments and cures for over 45 years, and provides practical, medical and emotional support to people affected by muscle disease.
5. The International Polar Year (IPY) is a large scientific programme focused on the Arctic and Antarctica. IPY starts from March 2007 to March 2009. For more information visit http://www.ipy.org/

A pdf of the Press Release is also available.