Newcastle City Futures takes over Seven Stories for the Big Draw Festival 2016

What will Newcastle Gateshead and Seven Stories look like in 2065?

Some of the area’s youngest residents will be coming up with their ideas for the future as part of the national big Draw festival.

On Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 October, young visitors will be invited to add to a large map of Newcastle Gateshead, draw 3D houses of the future and even design a new blueprint for Seven Stories.

The centre is working with Newcastle City Futures, a partnership led by Newcastle University which brings together businesses, academics, government, community organisations and the public to consider the challenges facing Newcastle over the next 50 years.

Researchers from Newcastle and Northumbria universities will be working with children to gather their views about how the place they live should develop.

Newcastle City Futures project leader, Professor Mark Tewdwr-Jones, said: “Newcastle City Futures are continuing to bring different groups together to think about Newcastle’s development and we’re excited to be participating in this year’s Big Draw festival.

It’s important that everyone in Newcastle has the opportunity to shape our city and we’re looking forward to seeing what Seven Stories’ young visitors think the future holds for Newcastle Gateshead.”

On Sunday 9^th October, there will be two workshops on urban planning and 3D drawing for children aged eight years and over. All of the Big Draw activities are free with day admission to Seven Stories.

The Big Draw Festival is the world’s biggest celebration of drawing. The 2016 theme is The STEAM Powered Big Draw Festival, bringing together Science, Technology, Art, Engineering and Maths.

Kate Mason, director of The Big Draw said: “The Big Draw Festival is for anyone who loves to draw, as well as those who think they can’t! Whether organising or participating in a Big Draw Festival event, it is an opportunity to join a global community in celebration of the universal language of drawing.”

To find out more about the Big Draw Festival at Seven Stories with Newcastle City Futures, visit: www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on

Contact

For further information about this event, contact: Rachel Smith, Vital North Partnership Manager, Newcastle University and Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books. Tel. 07939591833, Email: rachel.smith2@ncl.ac.uk, Website: www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on

For further information about Newcastle City Futures, contact: Lyndsay Short, Media Relations Manager, Newcastle University. Tel. 0191 208 5669, Email: lyndsay.short@ncl.ac.uk, Website: www.newcastlecityfutures.org 

For further information about The Big Draw Festival, contact: Amy Clancy, Press and Communications Manager, The Big Draw Tel. 0203 758 4118; Email: amy@thebigdraw.org; Website: www.thebigdraw.org

Images

You are welcome to send a photographer to capture the Big Draw events on Saturday 8^th and Sunday 9^th October. Please contact Rachel Smith, Vital North Partnership Manager, Newcastle University and Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books. Tel. 07939591833, Email: rachel.smith2@ncl.ac.uk to arrange this.

An image of what Newcastle could look like in 2065, created by Northumbria University’s VRV Studio, is also available. Please contact Rachel Smith if you would like to use this.

Notes to editors

Big Draw 2016: Big Plan, Saturday 8^th October 10am – 5pm, Sunday 9^th October 10am – 4pm, Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books. Drop in, no booking required. This activity is free with admission to Seven Stories. www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/events/122889/big-planbig-draw

Big Draw 2016: Your City, You Design It!, Sunday 9^th October 11.30am – 12.30pm, Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books. Led by Dr. Emine Thompson of Northumbria University. Please book online in advance. This activity is free with admission to Seven Stories. www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/events/122889/big-planbig-draw

Big Draw 2016: Planning the future Sunday 9^th October 2 – 3pm, Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books. Led by Teresa Strachan and YES Planning students at Newcastle University. Please book online in advance. This activity is free with admission to Seven Stories. www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/events/122889/big-planbig-draw

The Big Draw Festival Launched in October 2000, The Big Draw Festival has encouraged over three million people back to the drawing board. It has notched up two world records – for the longest drawing in the world (one kilometre) and the greatest number of people drawing simultaneously (over 7,000).

The first Big Draw Festival in 2000 attracted 180 partner organisations. By October 2015, the number had risen to over 1,000, with over 400,000 people participating. What began as a one day celebration of drawing in October 2000 in the UK, is now an annual month-long festival of drawing across the world. To find your nearest event or find out more about organising one visit: www.thebigdraw.org

Newcastle City Futures is an RCUK InnovateUK Urban Living Partnership pilot project that aims to address the future needs of Newcastle and Gateshead. It is being funded with contributions from Research Councils. Led by Newcastle University, in partnership with Northumbria University, Newcastle City Futures brings together businesses, academics, government, community organisations and the public to consider the challenges facing Newcastle over the next 50 years. www.newcastlecityfutures.org 

Seven Stories – The National Centre for Children’s Books is the only place in Britain dedicated to saving, celebrating and sharing our rich literary heritage for children. www.sevenstories.org.uk