Our first work in progress showings of Positive Imaginings Climate Circus were a great success! While world leaders and decision makers gathered in Glasgow for COP26, the children of Craigmillar and beyond gathered in the forest to learn about the climate crisis and voice their ideas, dreams & positive imaginings for a future they would choose. We wove stories of The Dreamer & The Dream Weaver, sang songs, twirled from the trees and held a children's climate assembly. As the audience were led out of the forest they listened to Castleview Primary School children's Positive Imaginings soundscape. This soundscape has now been listened to by over 100,000 people from all over the world, and played at COP26 as part of RSPB's Glasgow to Globe festival, on the radio, and on the world's most listened to climate podcast: Outrage + Optimism (hosted by Christiana Figueres!!!)
We are taking a wee break and will be back in December to develop our creative climate education teacher training programme and and organise our 2022 Positive Imaginings workshop & show tour!
Our plan is to secure further funding and support to take the show back into development in early 2022, so we can incorporate all the feedback we have gathered from our first audiences. We are hoping to re-develop the show to take account of what happened at COP26, and to incorporate new research on climate science and psychology, with a special focus on young people’s rising climate anxiety and the lack of adequate climate education in schools.
Here's some feedback from one of the primary school teachers that we've been working with on the Positive Imaginings Project:
"Completely Awestruck! It is hard to put into words the magic that you created today in our wonderful Craigmillar Castle Woodland. Dealing with matters as big a climate change and empowering our children to speak out was so powerful. Every element of this production was so skilfully executed which created this unique outdoor experience. Connecting the audience with nature and the core themes ensured not only our heads but our hearts were engaged. Thank you for bringing this incredible work to Craigmillar! My Positive Imagining is that all children in Scotland get the opportunity to engage with this incredible work of art. Truly empowering."
Thanks again for supporting Rowanbank's work, we couldn't do it without you!
Photo credit: Polifilm