2017 Making Global Connection

Vancouver Biennale’s BIG IDEAS Education invites cross-curricular project proposals that focus on the theme of global connections throughout the entire inquiry learning process. Successful submissions should articulate clear and significant common concerns, community challenges, social issues or aspirations that communities across the globe may share. The inquiry process will focus on a specific Biennale art installation(s) that inspires the BIG IDEAS project. Participants are encouraged to link with schools in other countries if possible. During a field trip (or BIG IDEAS Anywhere1 virtual tour) to the art installation(s) being studied participants are encouraged to explore specific aspects of the community around it and compare/contrast to another community(s) being studied in a different part of the world.

• Affonso Várzea: How Do Humans Affect The Environment?Brazilian students explored their own environment while making connections with Canada.
• Cunningham Elementary: Water is LifeAn interdisciplinary exploration through poetry, song writing, dance & theatre elements.
• Daniel Woodward Elementary: We Are All ConnectedStudents inquired into their connections to one another and to the environment.
• École Bilingue: Balancing SymbolsThe students explored symbols in our society expressed through nature, sounds, and light.
• École Qayqayt Elementary: Environmental StewardshipStudents explored their own environments & cultures while making connections with Brazil.
• Grandview Elementary: Together We Are StrongerStudents inquire into values of cooperation, acceptance, compassion, and responsibility.
• Kerrisdale Elementary: Trees TransformingInquiry into how citizenship and artistic practice contribute to the vision of the world.
• Mitchell Elementary: My Story, Our StoryThrough drama and visual arts, students explored their personal stories and traditions.
• Mulgrave World School: New Media a/r/tographical collaborationAn open inquiry project with a focus on the themes of collaboration and light play.
• Surrey Schools Drama ProjectsStudents from 4 schools engaged into cross-curricular learning through drama.
• York House: Reimagining the Arbutus GreenwayStudents reimagine a sustainable design for the Arbutus Corridor.

2016 Art as a Catalyst for Learning

Vancouver Biennale’s BIG IDEAS Education invites cross-curricular project proposals that demonstrate how art is a catalyst for learning throughout the entire project-based learning process. Successful submissions should articulate clear and direct linkages to specific Biennale art installation(s) that inspire the BIG IDEAS project, guiding questions, inquiry challenges, and art-infused creations. Submissions should also consider exploring specific aspects of the community around the art installation(s) that are relevant to the project theme as part of the field trip.

• Archibald Blair: Art for Social ChangeAn examination of the intersecting relationship between identity, art and activism.
• Burnett Secondary: Outsiders as Agents of ChangeAn inquiry into how society shapes individuals,
• Eagle Mountain: How Does Art Communicate the Human Experience?An inquiry into art and global issues and representing the issues through visual art.
• École Bilingue (Grade 1): Our Natural and Human Made WorldAn Inquiry into natural and human-made aspects of our environment.
• École Bilingue (Grade 7): Is Home away from Home?Students describe their home if the man made borders did not exist.
• École Cedardale: Ma lumière intérieure (The Light in Me)An Inquiry into how humans use light and sound to help tell their stories.
• École Pauline Johnson – Eye of a NeedleA multi-layered exploration of the fast fashion industry.
• École Qayqayt Elementary: GalimotosAn Intercultural Exploration of Resourcefulness, Repurposing & Resilience.
• Kerrisdale Elementary: Art and EvolutionAn inquiry into how evolution and change are inevitable and the impact of our decisions.
• Mitchell Elementary: Talking Poles – The Voices of our TotemsThe students began a past, present and future journey of exploration of their own stories.
• Surrey Schools: Environmental Volunteerism & Social Action300+ students from 12 schools inquired into how art can inspire environmental social action.
• Woodward Elementary: Fostering Identity through the Power of Place, Emotions and RelationshipsThe school courtyard was used to facilitate student learning.

2015 Learning without Borders

Inspired by the 2014-2016 exhibition theme Open Borders / Crossroads Vancouver, teachers were invited to create projects that would aim to open up existing borders in the learning process or to open up borders in language, religion, ethnicity, nation, and Indigeneity. The project-based learning approach focus on the development of students’ communication and thinking skills, personal and social competencies. In 2015, 22 local professional artists have been placed in 68 classes across 7 school districts through the Vancouver Biennale BIG IDEAS artist collaborator grants.

• Burnett Secondary: Change and RevolutionThis project is an inquiry into the topic of change, both small-scale and revolutionary.
• Cambie Secondary: Crossroads: Taking the Road Less TravelledThis project is an inquiry into the topic of free will and choice.
• Cypress Park Primary: Personal PassionsAn inquiry into personal passions and expressing that through arts.
• Eagle Mountain Middle School : Exploration of HistoryAn inquiry into the environment shapes how people develop.
• École Bilingue: Toi & Me = NousAn inquiry into how understanding loneliness can break down walls between us.
• École Cedardale Elementary: Full of BeansStudents inquire into the use of all the senses and the recognition of different perspectives.
• École Jules Quesnel: Diversity and Human InterconnectivityStudents explored diversity and how to build positive human connectivity.
• General Currie: Cultivating Identity Through the GardenExplore how cultures are influenced by the local environment & contact with other cultures.
• Lord Selkirk Elementary: Nature and Humans IntertwinedAn inquiry into the interdependency of living things and humans in the environment.
• McKinney Elementary: Visualizing Human RightsExploring human rights with artists’ lenses.
• McNair Secondary: Holding a Mic Up to the Youth TodayStudents uncover beauty and uniqueness in unexpected places
• Queen Mary Elementary: Connecting Art and ScienceA day at the beach immersed in art creation using natural materials.
• Quilchena Elementary: Crossroads between environmental sustainability & human rightsExploring ways to effect changes for environmental sustainability.

2014 Cross-Curricular Challenge

Based on the 2014-2016 exhibition theme: Open Borders / Crossroads Vancouver, teachers were invited to either create their own project or bigger, collaborative cross-curricular projects with their colleagues. Projects cover a diverse range of topics including ecosystems, cultural diversity, science or emotional wellness with links to all curriculum areas. In 2014, 17 talented local interdisciplinary artists and 4 subject matter experts were placed in 51 classes across 7 school districts through the Vancouver Biennale BIG IDEAS artist collaborator grants. Three feature project videos were produced exploring the journey through the entire BIG IDEAS project-based learning process.

• École Bilingue Gr 1Linking the concepts of force & friction to social responsibility & emotional learning.
• École Cedardale K, Gr 1 and Gr 3A perennial garden project that fosters a sense of community pride, ownership and appreciation.
• Kerrisdale Gr 6/7A cross-curricular project exploring how environment shapes the lives and culture of people.
• King George SecondaryAn inquiry into water systems as the foundation of life and our connection to the natural world.
• Moody Middle Gr 6/7Students explore the power of art to foster awareness of social issues around the world.
• Queen Alexandra Gr 6/7An inquiry into change: how matter and culture change and how young people be agents of change.
• St. Francis Xavier Gr 6An exploration of stress on the self and on the environment.
• Walter Moberly Gr 4 #2Students inquire into ecosystems and zoology through movement, theatre and poetry.
• Walter Moberly Gr 4 #1Students reflect on personal identity by exploring how we change when we wear a mask.
• West Vancouver French Immersion SchoolsA collaborative project aims to create an inclusive community from three schools.

2013 Arts in Action Series

The program inspires students to lead positive personal and social changes through collaboration within the local learning communities. In 2013, 20 talented local interdisciplinary artists were placed in 35 classrooms across five school districts through the Vancouver Biennale BIG IDEAS artist collaborator grants.

• Simon Fraser Gr 4/5Expressing interconnectedness in habitats through spoken words and dance movements.
• William Bridge Gr 3 and 7An inquiry into water as a critical resource inspired by Water #10.

2012 Performance Series

The Vancouver Biennale took dance, music, drama and poetry to the streets to celebrate 2012 BC Arts and Culture and National Dance Week. An unprecedented lineup of 28 outdoor BIG IDEAS performances over eight consecutive days included 800 performers ranging from Grade 2 students to professionals.

• Carisbrooke Gr 6/7Inspired by Jasper, students explore & reflect on life’s twists & turns through a class poem.
• Henry Hudson Gr 2/3A Discovery of the extraordinary values of everyday elements in the ecosystem.
• Kerrisdale Gr 7Students reflected on the true values and meanings in life.

2010 King George School Great Race

• 217.5 Arc x 13An inquiry around art on respecting the natural environments & fostering equilibrium.
• A-Maze-ing LaughterResponding to censorship on multiple levels through art media.
• Artificial Rock #143Creating an understanding around social-emotional wellness that fits one's life.
• Doors of KnowledgeAn inquiry on how one sees oneself through looking within and taking multiple perspectives.
• Freezing Water #7An inquiry on the Laws of Gravity and gravity’s physical influence on actions and reactions.
• History of LossAssessing possession of nostalgic artifacts and how our lifestyle impacts the environment.
• 217.5 Arc x 13An inquiry around art on respecting the natural environments & fostering equilibrium.
• Wind WavesStudents are encouraged to explore the endless possibilities within their natural world.