The NZ Children’s Art House Foundation (arthouse.org.nz) was established by Shona Hammond Boys QSM and determined and that when children are given a safe, sacred space they run their own after school art clubs very successfully without adult “rules” and are enabled to powerfully contribute to their society in positive ways. It supports children to take risks, not to be afraid, not to fear failure but to develop healthy human relationships and assist their communities using their talents.

Children’s Art Houses have been operating around NZ for 30 years in many forms as the community finds space for children to meet. There are no Children’s Art Houses in Hamilton.

This country desperately needs to hear its young people and give them a chance.

Children meet one afternoon a week for two hours, in a safe, completely dedicated space for them and others who come on different days. They will hold an exhibition of their work at the end of the term and be honoured by their community at an event. These children are becoming leaders. They work together to contribute to their society. They do not need ‘classes’, they don’t need to be ‘taught’ anything, they are able to teach us. Their art, their skills, their inventions, and new innovations. Nobody is watching them, judging, comparing, assessment. They are safe. Their arts are safe. Nobody can take their art away, adults think they have a right to children’s art. The result of their ‘work’ in the club is not what they ‘produce’ but the method they used ‘within themselves’ to get there.

Some children are labelled ‘mischievous’, disruptive, but give them a dance class and they will participate in ‘normal’ classes. Others are seen as ‘daydreamers’ they need a place to dream.  The Sydney Morning Herald wrote an article on medicated children once. It ended with “all Nobel Prize Winners were known as daydreamers in their childhood”.

·         The Children’s Art House has two rules: Love Art: Be Kind. Any person, child or adult who breaks the rules is asked to leave.

·         There is a co-ordinator employed to assist the children in their artwork and projects, and help them arrange the activities that they would like to participate in, bringing in mentors as required.

·         The space must be completely dedicated to the children’s art club, not shared with adults, a sports facility or anything else.

Until you give children the respect that they deserve we will not have a new future, just rehashed promises.

We need all the bright sparks we can get in this country.