ACA – Children’s Arts Awards
Our partner organisation in the All Party Parliamentary Group, Action for Children's Arts, holds an annual awards ceremony which honours not only key contributors to the children's arts scene, but also one individual who's body of work will have a lasting effect.
The J M Barrie Award for lifetime achievement goes this year to Baroness Floeella Benjamin OBE.
David Wood OBE, Chair of the ACA explains why...
Like a breath of fresh air, Floella breezed into BBC children’s television programmes in the 70s. She brightened up our screens – and millions of children’s lives – in Playschool. Her talent, energy, commitment and enthusiasm were second to none – and, in the succeeding decades, these qualities have continued and developed.
She has produced her own television programmes for children, campaigned relentlessly for quality, access and proper funding, and now, as Baroness Benjamin OBE, she is a brilliant and articulate advocate for children’s arts in the House of Lords. She also writes books, runs marathons for charity and is Chancellor of the University of Exeter.
Action for Children’s Arts is proud that Floella, one of Trinidad’s greatest and much-loved gifts to the UK, is a Patron of our organisation, and, as a true champion of children’s arts, a very worthy recipient of the J M Barrie Award 2012.
Previous J M Barrie Award winners have included author, Dick King-Smith, animators, Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, illustrator, Quentin Blake C.B.E. and poet, Roger McGough C.B.E.
Children's Media Foundation supporters and interested individuals are invited to attend the Awards ceremony on the afternoon of Saturday October 20th 2012 at BAFTA, Piccadilly, in London. Guest speakers from the worlds of television, politics and education will celebrate Baroness Benjamin’s life and work. Tickets for non-ACA members are £50, and include a Champagne Tea! To apply for tickets, please send an email to Elizabeth Greaves at admin@childrensarts.org.uk
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