The McManus Creative Learning Team has begun distributing their free ‘McManus Connects’ Activity books and art resource packs to Ukrainian families as part of an engaging outreach initiative. The creative book is a direct lead on from our 2021-22 Reconnect project; in this previous project the team created a creative book for families, working with Home-Start Dundee during lockdown, and are now using this book as a template for the Ukrainian version. The project at the museum has translated art and craft activities into Ukrainian for those who have arrived in Dundee since 2022.
An associated programme of in-house and outreach workshops designed to foster creativity and community integration, and welcome Ukrainian families to the museum, is now taking place as part of the initiative. The workshops kicked off with two sets of sessions for specific groups.
The first session took place early this month with Scrap Antics (based in the Wellgate Shopping Centre) and is a continuation of The McManus Creative Learning team's partnership work with their New Scots Families groups. Scrap Antics has lots of Ukrainian families and adults they work with each Saturday afternoon and activities took place to introduce and hand out packs working alongside a Ukrainian translator. The same group then visited The McManus for a mini museum tour and creative activity, where the group used their McManus Connects activity book throughout the visit.
A second group, Ukrainians Together, will meet at The McManus next week. This support group is run by Hanna Dushkova and Vitaliy Diakov, who came to Scotland when war broke out in the Ukraine and are qualified lawyers and mediators. They organise workshops to help Ukrainian refugees increase their emotional intelligence and help them link and integrate positively with their local community. Hanna and Vitali helped develop ‘McManus Connects’ by translating resources from English to Ukrainian. The session will include a mini tour and introduction to the museum, a creative print activity, and an introduction to McManus Connects resources.
Judy Dobbie, Director of Leisure & Culture Dundee said
"The McManus Connects project is part of our ongoing efforts to support Ukrainians who have sought refuge in our city. We aim to provide them with the warm and welcoming environment we are known for at The McManus and a little respite from the huge difficulties faced in Ukraine. We're also grateful to Scrap Antics, Ukrainians Together and everyone who is contributing to the success of the project."
To find out more about Creative Learning projects at The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum, visit www.mcmanus.co.uk/creative-learning.
