'Changes' was a two-year new media arts project based in schools in Blyth, Northumberland. Chris Madge, a professional photographer and new media specialist, was in residence at Blyth Community College, and worked with a number of its feeder schools to explore the creative uses of technology. Other experienced and professional artists worked alongside Chris in the schools over this two year period on smaller scale residencies.

The starting point for each residency was not the technology itself but the creative exploration of themes and ideas.

A film 'Sequeways' was produced with choreographer Paula Turner and Year 9 students and was presented as part of the Northumberland Young People's Festival.

Chris worked with other artists at three of the Middle Schools. Helen Law produced a textile wall hanging with young people from Wensleydale Middle inspired by digital images; writer, Carol Clewlow, worked with pupils from Delaval Middle School to make an exhibition and intereactive multi-media piece and Phil Ogg made sound-scapes with children at Bebside Middle.

Musician Simon Tarrant worked alongside Chris in the Music Department at Blyth Community College. An installation combining digitised sound and projected images was produced.

4 First Schools worked with artists John Quinn, Kate Sweeney, Paula Turner and Lindsay Duncanson exploring pictures and narratives.

Click here to see a selection of the work produced during the project...