Gladstone children have the chance to 'feed their appetite for learning' and to 'Taste An Arts Sensation', thanks to CQUniversity's pre-service education students biting off a little more than they've previously chewed...

Each year, the university students combine with their local community to lift the profile of Early Childhood Education and Care. In the past this has been achieved by participating in various Under 8's Week celebrations promoted by Early Childhood Australia.

A poster for the event

This year, the Bachelor of Learning Management students aspire to take this one step further, holding an event of their own to commence Under Eights Week on Sunday, May 24.

There will be live stage performances between 10am-2pm on Gladstone's Marina Stage, MCed by actor, storyteller and social entrepreneur Paul Bishop*.

'TASTE AN ARTS SENSATION: Feeding Young Children's Appetite for Learning' has been designed to allow children to experience the 5 strands of the arts - Dance, Music, Drama, Visual Arts and Media - and to be involved in a visual arts competition.

All daycare centres, kindergartens and Prep Year classes across the Gladstone region are being invited to participate.

The School Arts competition aims to involve students in an activity that allows them to express, experiment, consider, create and follow their dreams.

MC Paul Bishop

Winners of the competition, announced on the day of the event, will gain cash and other great prizes that will assist in any future creative endeavours.

The organising students aim to:

- re-emphasise the importance of creativity in education and of the Arts;

- lift the profile of young children and Early Childhood Services;

- and to allow children to create new ideas, new approaches and new actions through creativity within The Arts.

For queries/details contact Lyn Hughes via 4970 7298 or l.hughes@cqu.edu.au

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* Paul Bishop
Actor / Chief Inspiration Officer
Arts Evolution

Paul Bishop is an actor, storyteller, social entrepreneur, advocate for 'active sustainability' and the 'art of living with passion and purpose'. He has 25 years experience as an elite master of empathy, story and creativity having worked on stage, screen, TV, radio and new media throughout Australia and is best known for his role as Sgt Ben Stewart on Australian television's Blue Heelers.

Paul Bishop is Chief Inspiration Officer of social business Arts Evolution, which is committed to creative sustainable human futures.