South Australian students engaging with history through poetry
Change – It’s the only constant! Now that COVID-19 is with us, we’ve had to adapt to new habits and make new plans.
The Poetry Takeover Challenge was originally meant to be a new young people’s component to South Australia’s History Festival. Even though the festival won’t be going ahead, the Poetry Takeover will be!
During May 2020, the History Festival team invite young people to take inspiration from the collections of the History Trust and other museums and galleries across the state of South Australia. Students will be encouraged to engage with objects, think creatively, connect those thoughts to the theme ‘change’ and then develop a poem of any kind.
How can museums get involved?
Originally, one of the aims for the Poetry Takeover Challenge was to provide a way for museums to connect with their local schools during South Australia’s History Festival. While most museums and galleries are currently closed, and in-person visits are not possible, here are some ways you can still participate in the Poetry Takeover:
- Send the History Festival team a link to your online collection to add to the website poetrytakeover.com.au
- Add collection images to the Poetry Takeover Flickr group
- Create an album of collection images on Facebook (don’t forget to tag @historyfestivalpoetrytakeover)
- Contact your local school and work with them directly using photos of objects from your collection.
Also, be sure to let your social media followers know you’re taking part and invite them to check out your online collections.
Poems and the objects of inspiration will be displayed on the Poetry Gallery on the website poetrytakeover.com.au and shared on social media. Entrants will also go in the running to win one of six $50 Dymocks vouchers.
When
The Poetry Takeover Challenge will open for entries on Friday 1 May and close on Sunday 31 May.
Who
All South Australians students in years 4 to 11 can enter the challenge. Museum staff, parents, carers and teachers can provide support – resources are available on the Poetry Takeover website.
Museums, galleries and other collecting institutions can get involved by making objects in their collection available to students as inspiration.
Families, friends and communities are encouraged to share their favourite poems on social media and vote for the Community Choice prize.
Where
For more information and resources visit the website: poetrytakeover.com.au
Like Poetry Takeover on Facebook
Contact the History Trust if you have any questions: historyfestival@history.sa.gov.au