About a year ago, I was approached by Action for Children’s Arts to become a trustee. I readily agreed, seeing a perfect match in ideals, in terms of wanting to support all possible ways of bringing the arts to children, through education, performance and opportunity. You can read all about them here: http://childrensarts.org.uk
My first task was to nominate someone for the ACA Outstanding Achievement Award. This is given annually to someone who has really made a difference to children’s lives through the arts, and is part of the J.M. Barrie Awards, the ACA’s principal annual celebration. This year, the main J.M.Barrie award went to children’s author Michael Morpurgo. But who should the other award go to?
Most of my work over the last quarter century has been about celebrating art, music and culture through books and events for children. And over that time I have been lucky enough to work with some truly exceptional people. Writers, theatre directors, orchestra conductors, musicians, illustrators and artists. What a rich field to draw from! I had a long list…But in fact, there was only really one person I wanted to nominate: Linda McClelland, PlayFair Education Officer at the National Galleries of Scotland, who was also awarded an MBE this year, for services to art education.
We met at the Edinburgh International Book Festival many years ago to collaborate on a workshop for children, using pictures in the National Galleries of Scotland. We immediately hit it off, recognising in each other a kindred spirit. Since then we have collaborated on many projects, workshops, competitions, exhibitions and storytellings…
Linda has worked tirelessly to engage even the most remote schools in Scotland to be inspired by art. To see the soaring self esteem of these children, to understand that these are often largely rural and poor communities far removed from the metropolitan delights of London or Edinburgh, is to appreciate that this is work that really changes lives by opening doors to opportunities.
Every once in while you meet someone with a bit of magic about them. Someone who has vision, energy, and passion for making a difference to young lives. I have met so many people who say: Wouldn’t it be great if …; or: what a shame there isn’t… but they do nothing about it. In my experience, for every 10 things proposed, 9 usually fall through. But then, sometimes you meet someone who says: This is a good idea, I believe in it. I’ll fight for it. And it becomes that one thing out of ten that happens.
Linda is someone who makes things happen. Quietly, discreetly, with complete modesty, she changes lives. Of artists and children.
It gave me enormous pleasure to be able to present the Action for Children’s Art Outstanding Achievement Award 2016 to Linda McClelland, and the day was crowned with the chance to meet other supporters of ACA present at the BBC, who hosted the day: Jenny Agutter, Floella Benjamin, Chris Riddell, Michael Foreman, Peter Duncan, Sarah Green, Chris Jarvis, Jacqueline Wilson, and Michael Morpurgo himself – who generously spent much of his speech congratulating Linda. All introduced by the splendid David Wood and organised by the brilliant Vicky Ireland. It was wonderful day, celebrating those who care about and fight for the arts for children.
You can watch the awards ceremony here. I was VERY nervous speaking in front of the likes of Jenny Agutter… and messed up a few words… but I wouldn’t have missed it for all the world: https://vimeo.com/193265979
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