The Face behind the Mask Erasmus Project

Project Title

The Face behind the Mask

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Partnerships for Creativity

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning; Creativity and culture; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

Context/background of project:
The conception of the project stems from the Covid 19 world pandemic and the challenges (and opportunities) that everybody across the world is facing presently. ‘The Face behind the Mask’ idea was conceived as a creative means for learners to acquire skills and competencies that reinforce creativity in education, as well as boost quality, innovation and creative potential. Through international school partnerships with schools and creative partners, this project will foster innovative participatory and intercultural dialogue which links education and training with the cultural and creative sectors. These partnerships will in turn increase resilience through the creation of jobs, sustainable development and social inclusion through the arts.
Schools and educational organisations have long recognised the importance and need for creativity in the curriculum and have ensured the delivery of rich, experiential learning opportunities to develop learners’ knowledge and skills. This has been achieved through creative and forward thinking leaders and inspirational teachers who have had the vision to experiment with the curriculum and be innovative in their approaches through participation in action research. They have achieved this by making connections in different curriculum areas, choosing themes and topics that supports creative approaches, encouraging learners’ independent thinking, engaging with their community and working in partnership with outside agencies and creative experts.
Objectives for the project:
The focus on creativity and the arts has never been more important than it is in today’s climate. Learners need to find ways to deal with the challenges of Covid 19, to learn how to increase their resilience and what it means to have an identity in a fast changing society that has been hit by a deadly virus. More importantly, learners need to be equipped with the skills and competencies that will enable them to express themselves clearly, confidently and coherently and play an active part in society as 21st century global citizens. Learners need to understand that by going beyond the limits of geographical borders and developing a greater understanding of rights and responsibilities that can be shared collectively, they can fully appreciate what it means to have a common vision for humanity.
‘The Face Behind The Mask’ project will by its very essence, unite together schools and creative partners in an innovative action research project to explore what it means to be human, to develop resilience and to have a sense of identity both locally and internationally so that individuals can make decisions and know how to behave when faced with complex decisions and circumstances . This will be achieved through the process of sharing ideas in transnational meetings both virtually and physically, carry out research on creative approaches which focus on dance, drama and art, explore different cultures, languages and heritage and receive expertise from creative partners who will lead learning, teacher training events in three countries: Wales, Italy and Spain. Three intellectual outputs will be developed throughout the life of the project:
IO1 – A good practice resource guide on creativity to support teachers with the development of effective strategies on the expressive arts across the curriculum
IO2 – A Drama Performance Resource on the development of learners’ creative and higher order thinking skills – This resource will be an online training resource for teaching drama, dance and experimenting with the use of masks for different scenarios accompanied by learners sharing their performances.
IO3 – A good practice guide using action research and reflective practice for the development of creativity – This guide will set out the rationale for the project, the aims and the objectives, the methodology used to conduct the research, the qualitative and quantitative approaches, reflections from professionals (teachers and drama experts) and learners’ responses to questionnaires before and after the project completion.
The methodology which will be used to shape the project will include: questionnaires for baseline data at the start and end of the project, diaries and reflective journals, field notes and participant observations, peer assessments, photographic and video evidence, school data and interviews with teachers and creative agents.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 237382 Eur

Project Coordinator

International Links (Global) Ltd & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Plasmarl Primary School
• ASOCIACIÓN PARA PROMOVER LA FORMACIÓN, INTERNACIONALIZACIÓN E INNOVACIÓN DE LA EDUCACIÓN (AFINE)
• CFI GABRIEL PEREZ CARCEL
• Lighthouse Theatre Ltd
• BURRY PORT COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL
• Istituto Comprensivo Simonetta Salacone
• CEIP M FERNANDEZ CABALLERO