What we do?
House of Imagination (formerly 5x5x5=creativity) is a charitable arts research organisation working in Bath for over 20 years. We focus on new ways of learning in the arts, developing children’s and young people’s creative and critical thinking alongside creative professionals. We deliver a range of innovative creative education programmes that enable children to shape their lives through creative enquiry and schools to develop their practices through professional development. At the heart of our work is creative collaboration between children, educators and creative professionals in partnership with cultural and creative industries in Bath. We are a co-founder of Forest of Imagination, now in its seventh year and School Without Walls, now in its tenth year.
We work alongside artists, architects, landscape architects, designers and other creative professionals to support children and young people in creative enquiry. We aim to support children to become creative resilient learners with enquiring minds and independence of thought. We create a bridge between organisations so that children and young people can see how creative learning connects with professional practice. We hope this innovative approach puts them on a pathway of life long creativity in whatever they choose to pursue.
Why we do it?
We aim to make improvisation, creativity and innovation part of our everyday lives. This work is driven by a desire for change in both children’s lives and in schools, giving agency to children as active citizens through creative enquiry. Children need more opportunities to develop their creativity and to experiment and teachers need more support to integrate these skills within wider educational work. We serve Bath’s wide range of communities as well as local rural centres, including areas of disadvantage with limited cultural educational opportunities. Through the year we provide opportunities throughout the city for children to work with and learn alongside artists and creative professionals. We aim to use our knowledge and experience to inspire and inform the work of others locally and internationally.
