Platform for Art and Play – Plateforme de jeux et création

Description: This project will deliver a cross-border education and arts project on the theme of ecology between secondary school students from the Nord department of France (Denain) and from Kent (Cheriton, Folkestone). Working with a contemporary artist, the young people will co-create a cross-border game around the theme of climate change and make two permanent sculptures for display. 

News: The project is completed. On 9th June 2023, students from the Collège Turgot, Denain, and the Harvey Grammar School, Cheriton, unveiled their work at Folkestone West station. It consist of many small sculptures depicting features of their respective towns. 

The ceremony was well attended with speeches from the artist, the two Straits beneficiaries, and Derek Murphy for the Straits Committee. The Denain students, many of whom were crossing the Channel for the first time, have made a photo and audio reportage. 

Feedback has been positive. Local MP Damian Collins praised the collaboration while Arts Council England felt it engaged local people and helped artists with their development. Strange Cargo and Artconnexion, who were working together for the first time, said the cross-Channel element would not have been possible without the Straits Committee.