Partner Article

BALTIC and NHS North East launch Action Art!

The government’s latest healthy living campaign is being brought to life in the North East through a collaborative project in the region’s galleries.

NHS North East is joining forces with BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art to promote the Change4Life social movement through a project called Action Art!

The national Change4Life campaign – which is celebrating its first birthday encourages people to eat well, move more and live longer.

Action Art! is a community and schools project which invites families, young people and school children from across the North East to get active by using movement to create exciting and dynamic art.

Action Art! for Schools is a week long artist residency in ten local schools to create new art work which will be exhibited at two of the region’s largest galleries, BALTIC in Gateshead and mima, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art.

Regional Director of Public Health, Professor Stephen Singleton explains: “We have some of the highest rates of obesity in the country and face a big challenge to get the figures down.

“A lot of good work is already going on at local level and we are putting the finishing touches to an action plan which will develop a regional approach to childhood obesity.

“Fun, innovative approaches to tackling serious issues are definitely part of the solution – and I am delighted BALTIC have come on board.”

Emma Thomas, BALTIC’s Head of Learning and Public Engagement adds: “Change 4 Life is a fantastic campaign to encourage all of us to live a healthier lifestyle and being active should play an integral part in that.

“With Action Art! we’ve combined the need to be active with the pleasure of being creative. We’re inviting families and schools to embrace this idea and join with us in getting active with Action Art!”

Schools interested in taking part should contact BALTIC on change4life@balticmill.com or call T: 0191 478 1810.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .