Annually from 1 – 31 October the Big Draw Festival takes place across the world. It is a celebration of the power of drawing, with hundreds of schools from more than 25 countries taking part. For many students, drawing is a means of understanding the world, how it looks, and how it works.
Drawing to learn. Not learning to draw.
The Big Draw promotes the importance of drawing in education, and in helping people achieve their potential, regardless of age. The festival aims to raise awareness of drawing as a transferable skill which can be integrated into the entire curriculum.
It is important to remember that you don’t have to be an artist to draw. This is what is meant by drawing to learn, not learning to draw as explained in this video with Big Draw patron Sir Roger Penrose describing how drawing can be used for maths and science!
There is increasing evidence suggesting that drawing is the single most powerful tool for learning and retaining new ideas. The organisers say everyone can draw and that all of us should have access to the benefits of drawing. Drawing is a truly universal tool that can build bridges, communicate across oceans and even make dreams a reality.
Promoting the universal language of drawing as a tool for learning, expression and invention, the Festival is made up of thousands of creative events, activities and workshops across the world run by organisations big and small; from individuals to entire cities!
Visit the Festival website to learn more about how drawing is an essential tool in many professions: from mathematicians to surgeons, architects to engineers.
The Big Draw Festival 2020 theme…
For 2020, the theme is: The Big Green Draw Festival #ClimateOfChange which focuses on the relationship between people and our living environments and ecosystems. Highlighting how we live today and the ways in which we do and do not harmonise with nature, The Big Green Draw is looking to help showcase mindsets and actions that proactively support positive interaction between people and the Earth.
Are you taking part in this year’s world’s biggest drawing festival? If so, how are you or your school getting involved? We would love to hear all about it!