Little Legends, Big Worlds | School Applications (Free Opportunity)

Little Legends, Big Worlds | School Applications (Free Opportunity)

In 2027 Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) is delighted to host, Japan: Myths to Manga an exciting exhibition exploring Japanese design.

As part of the project we are looking collaborate with local Birmingham school groups to co-create a complementary display in our Community Gallery.

Working with a professional artist, pupils will explore stories from their own cultural backgrounds and use them as inspiration to create artwork for a special exhibition in MAC's Community Gallery. Reflecting the rich diversity of Birmingham’s communities, the display will bring together a wide range of stories—historical, fictional, and folkloric—from across the world. These narratives will highlight shared themes and connections that resonate with Japanese culture, creating a meaningful dialogue between different traditions and perspectives.

But the creativity doesn't stop in the classroom! A small group of pupils from each participating class will also have the opportunity to become Young Gallery Guides, sharing their favourite artworks from Japan: Myths to Manga with visitors and helping to deliver fun, hands-on creative activities at MAC during the school holidays.

By centring children’s voices and creativity, the project will celebrate cultural heritage, encourage storytelling and foster a sense of inclusion – putting children’s voice at the heart of the summer season.

For Little Legends, Big Worlds in 2027, MAC will involve three Key Stage 2 (7-11 yrs) or Year 7 (11-12 yrs) classes from local schools in the project. Each class will receive 3 artist-led workshops during the Spring Term 2027. Work will be completed by Easter and installed in the gallery by mid-April.

All students will be invited to the gallery for a grand opening and celebration day.  

About the project

What will be involved for schools?

Little Legends, Big Worlds will work with three classes from local schools, with one class participating from each school.

The project is designed for:

  • Key Stage 2: Years 3–6 (ages 7–11)
  • Key Stage 3: Year 7 (ages 11–12)

Both mainstream and SEND schools are welcome to apply.

Each participating class will take part in three artist-led workshops, with one workshop taking place each month during the Spring Term 2027. Workshops will take place at school and last four hours each.

With the support of a professional artist, pupils will explore myths and legends from their own cultural backgrounds and experiment with creative approaches such as drawing, illustration, collage, craft and creative writing.

Every pupil will have the opportunity to create an individual artwork and contribute to a collaborative piece. Together, the work from all three schools will form a complementary exhibition in MAC's Community Gallery, opening alongside Japan: Myths to Manga in April 2027.

Through the project, pupils will have the opportunity to:

  • Explore stories, traditions and cultural heritage from around the world.
  • Develop creative skills and experiment with different artforms.
  • Build confidence in expressing their ideas and sharing their perspectives.
  • Work collaboratively with classmates and a professional artist.
  • See their artwork displayed in a public gallery at MAC.

The project is free for participating schools, with all artist fees and workshop resources covered.

Young Gallery Guides

As part of Little Legends, Big Worlds, pupils will have the opportunity to take their involvement further by becoming Young Gallery Guides during MAC's Japan season.

Four to five pupils from each participating class will be selected to represent their school. Working with MAC's Learning & Participation team and the project artist, these pupils will develop the confidence and skills to engage visitors with art in their own way.

At activity days during the May half-term and summer holidays, the Young Gallery Guides will share their favourite artworks from Japan: Myths to Manga, lead informal gallery tours and help deliver hands-on creative activities for visitors.

These sessions will give visitors the chance to experience the exhibition through the eyes of young people, encouraging curiosity, conversation and fresh perspectives. For pupils, it's an opportunity to develop communication skills, build confidence and become active participants in MAC's wider gallery programme.

MAC is committed to ensuring that a range of voices and experiences are represented in the gallery, and particularly welcomes applications from schools whose pupils reflect the diversity of Birmingham's communities.

Project Delivery and Timeline

Workshop Delivery Schedule

One workshop per school (three schools) to be delivered within a monthly timeframe. Exact delivery dates will be agreed with the successful schools.

  • Workshop 1 | January 2027 | 10am - 2pm | Held at school
  • Workshop 2 | February 2027 | 10am - 2pm | Held at school
  • Workshop 3 | March 2027 | 10am - 2pm | Held at school

The Final Artwork will be delivered to MAC on the week commencing Mon 30 March 2027. Installation of the Final Artwork will take place at MAC mid-April 2027.

The exhibition will run from Sat 17 April - Mon 30 August 2027 and a celebration event will take place in May 2027 at MAC.

Young Gallery Guides Activity Days

These sessions will take place during the May half-term and summer holidays, with three activity days planned for each school: nine days in total.

  • May half-term: Week commencing Mon 31 May - Sun 6 June 2027, at MAC
  • Summer holidays:  Thu 22 July – Sun 15 August 2027, at MAC

The dates and arrangements for the Young Gallery Guides activity days will be agreed with the participating schools, MAC's Learning & Participation team and Artist Facilitator.

Project Outcomes

There are a number of ways the project will be celebrated and showcased across 2027. These include:

●    Participating schools will be invited to a local celebration event at MAC to share their work with other Birmingham schools 
●    The exhibition will open alongside the main Japan: Myths to Manga until August. 
●    Work will be returned to schools after the exhibition ends  

A select number of students will also be chosen to be Young Gallery Guides for the exhibition.

Cost for schools

Little Legends, Big Worlds is completely free for participating schools.

All artist fees and resources for the school workshops are covered by the project. There is no charge for schools to take part.

School Eligibility

This opportunity is available to schools in Birmingham postcodes B1–B48, B72–B76, B90–B94 and B99. 

We are unable to consider applications from wider areas.

How to apply

To apply for this opportunity, please complete our online application form.

Applications should be submitted by the deadline, Fri 20 November 2026, 5pm. 

Schools will be notified of the application outcome by Wed 25 November 2026.

The project aims to work with three classes from participating schools, one class per school.

Each lead teacher will be required to join a brief online meeting with MAC staff to discuss delivery of the project. To be held in early December. 

For queries, please contact:

Contact list of staff members