<h2>Hi</h2>

Sign up to host Nintendo Art Academy masterclasses

26 Jan 2011 10:38 AM

In partnership with Arts Council England, Nintendo will be supporting art master classes across the country to help encourage arts participation. Targeting audiences who feel nervous about their painting and drawing skills, the sessions will enable participants to build confidence through Nintendo's new Art Academy software.

Art Academy is a game that turns the touch screen of the Nintendo DS into a canvas and teaches users how to paint and draw with step-by-step training. Currently more than 11 million people own a DS in this country and it is hoped that this project will help bring in new visitors to participating galleries and open up more people to the possibilities of creating art, much in the same way that Nintendo's Wii Fit software has had a significant knock-on effect on sports - encouraging more people to try out new sports activities.

The free art master classes will be held in libraries and galleries across the country, and we are currently looking for venues who are interested in taking part in the first round of classes between now and 31 March. It is anticipated that classes will tie in with current exhibitions, with participants creating images inspired by work they have seen, to give visitors a more immersive gallery experience.

Support will be offered to make it as straightforward as possible for selected galleries to take part, with all associated costs covered.

This includes:

  • assistance in promoting the art master class prior to the events
  • provision of materials should venues wish to use theatre, such as easels with DSi XLs attached
  • 20-30 DSi XL consoles loaned to gallery/library, plus one piece of kit allowing DS screen to be on a large TV
  • toolkit with step-by-step guide and templates

Following the art masterclass, the DSi XLs will be on loan to the gallery while the exhibition is running so that visitors can use them around the gallery as sketch books, if desired (galleries to manage this process).

Register your interest

If you are interested in hosting a masterclass, please email clara.goldsmith@artscouncil.org.uk by Friday 28 January with details of your gallery and any relevant exhibitions.