Horizon Partnership

The Geffrye Museum has been working in partnership with Horizon, a school in Hackney for pupils with special educational needs. The Geffrye offers a number of teaching sessions and special projects across all year groups which ensure that Horizon pupils maintain an ongoing relationship with the museum throughout their formal education and beyond:

The Inside / Out project

The Inside / Out project, June 2008

Pupils from 9A at Horizon School have recently completed the annual site-specific art project. Students spent a week at the museum as Artists in Residence. They learned about the museum collection and making art out of doors with artist Daniel Lehan and museum staff.

Students looked for interesting objects within the Geffrye's period rooms and newly acquired handling collection and made lots of drawings. They transferred their sketches onto boards and painted and stencilled a design to create 'sign posts' for the garden OUTSIDE, encouraging viewers to look INSIDE the museum.

The team worked together to create beautiful artworks for everyone to enjoy in the Geffrye's front garden, where the work can be viewed over the summer.

This project is funded by Renaissance London: Museums for Changing Lives.

The My Home, My Self project

Students with Robert Teed on the My Home, My Self project

Pupils from 9V at Horizon School have recently completed the annual 'My Home, My Self' photography project. Students learned about image making and taking photographs while exploring the idea of 'What makes a Home?' They became familiar with the Geffrye and its collections, and observed and recorded how people have presented their homes at different times in history.

The students used disposable cameras to take photos of their own home, including objects and spaces with special meaning or significance to them. The project took place over 10 weeks and this year Robert Teed - a professional photographer - shared his work and expertise through demonstration and group critiques. The project culminated in each student sitting for a professional photographic portrait in the period room of their choice.

Students presented their work at a formal event on the 22nd May which was attended by family, friends, Horizon and Geffrye staff.

A display of the 'My Home, My Self' project will be in the lower concourse of the Twentieth Century Gallery at the Geffrye from the end of July.

This project is supported by Renaissance London: Museum for Changing Lives.