RAPS’ National Gallery Artistic Challenge

Each year the school is part of the gallery’s countrywide programme through a range of cross-curricular classroom work that aims to further inspire a lifelong love of art and learning.

In recent years pupils’ work has been shown as part of the National Gallery’s exhibition as well as on its virtual exhibition platform online, and on giant digital billboards in cities around the UK.

The inspirational painting for 2027 is Cosimo Tura’s acclaimed work from the late 1450s of Calliope, one of the mythological Muses, who represents poetry.

RAPS’ art teacher Kelly Smith explained: “Take One Picture is always a highlight of the year at RAPS.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for the children to work collectively, as one big team, to create a whole-school exhibition. Every single child can look at the finished exhibition and say, “I created that.”

“This is incredibly important, not only for developing the children’s confidence and sense of pride, but also for strengthening our cultural capital as a school.

“Every year brings the exciting challenge of creating an exhibition inspired by an artwork that none of us are familiar with – it is a challenge that we love.

“It gives us the opportunity to deep-dive into the artwork with the children, explore its meaning and experiment with artistic processes and outcomes that we may not have encountered before.

“I strive to give the children as many varied, exciting and meaningful experiences in art as possible. I believe this is fundamental in helping them develop the confidence to think creatively and, most importantly, to believe that anything is possible — no matter how crazy or ambitious the idea may seem.”

The variety of styles, techniques and themes explored by each class varies significantly. This year, the children explored a range of skills, including textile manipulation, printmaking and drawing.

They were also challenged to design and create their own interpretation of a shell grotto, pushing their creativity and imagination even further.

The Take One Picture work forms part of a larger in-school exhibition space that features a diverse range of work. Head Teacher Nick Budge said: “Art in all its forms is the catalyst for a range of inspirational output from our children encouraged by our fantastic arts team.

“This year’s Take One Picture display once again maintains the very high standard we have created in our previous liaisons with the National Galley.

“RAPS’ in-school gallery regularly draws positive comments from visitors and it is beacon of creativity that highlights the skills of our children.”

The submissions window for the nationwide challenge is open until next the end of October with the National Gallery exhibition taking place in the spring.

To find out more about the Take One Picture challenge go online to www.nationalgallery.org.uk/learning/take-one-picture.

Ramsgate Arts Primary is part of the Viking Academy Trust with its partner schools Chilton Primary in Ramsgate and Upton Juniors in Broadstairs.

**Contact Head Teacher Nick Budge on 01843 582847