LICAF is thrilled to launch a series of 'Comics in the Classroom' films on our YouTube channel, also available to view on this page, as part of our ongoing Comic Potential project.
The Comics in the Classroom films offer teachers some super straightforward tips and techniques on how comics can be used in the classroom across all age ranges – not just for teaching English, but across the curriculum.
As part of the ongoing Comic Potential project, the team are creating four short films, produced and directed by Matt Burke, targeted at teachers that aim to inspire them to use comics in the classroom.
The films are presented by Little LICAF co-producers Hester Harrington and Sim Leech, who have a wealth of experience using comics in the classroom and come from a teaching background.
Film 1 > Comic Potential: Comics in the Classroom
Sequences in Comics with Sim Leech
Sequences in Comics, presented by Sim Leech, explains how the sequential nature of comic panels can be used in the classroom, plus an introductory look at comic features.
Film 2 > Comic Potential: Comics in the Classroom
Speech and Thought Bubbles in Comics with Sim Leech
Speech and Thought Bubbles, presented by Sim Leech, outlines how speech and thought bubbles work in comics, and ways that they can be used in the classroom.
More about Comic Potential
These films are part of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival's 'Comics in the Classroom' series, part of our ongoing Comic Potential project.
Comic Potential is a LICAF programme launched in 2022, that aims to further progress an existing body of work which assesses comics potential in the classroom and support learning outcomes, working with four schools in the North West of England, supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s Arts-based Learning Fund.
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation was established by Paul Hamlyn in 1987. He died in 2001 and left most of his estate to the Foundation, creating one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK. The Foundation uses its resources to support social change, working towards a just and equitable society in which everyone, especially young people, can realise their full potential and enjoy fulfilling and creative lives.
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival launched in 2013, initially offering an annual weekend-long festival of comics events, comprising panels, workshops, children’s events, exhibitions and more, in Kendal, moving to Bowness-in-Windermere in 2022.
Since 2018, LICAF has moved from an organisation focused on an annual festival to one delivering a year-round programme of projects with social impact and an annual festival providing the inspiration and culmination of many of these longer projects. LICAF believe comics have unique properties that can transform lives and seeks to champion comics in the UK to showcase their range and diversity, alongside their power to affect change, cross the class divide and appeal to neurodivergent people.
Other Comics Potential Partners include:
• Cambridge Primary School, and Vickerstown Primary School in Barrow, the George Hastwell School, Walney and Sandgate School, Kendal
• Abraham Moss Community School – advisor on how their project could be adapted/ improved for CP. Advocate to teachers as to potential of comics in classroom
• Comic Art Europe (comprising LICAF, Lyon BD Festival, Escola Joso Centre for Comic Arts, Barcelona and the Comic Art Museum, Brussels), who provided 40% of funding for the AMSC project via grants from Creative Europe. Our three European partners are also delivering community projects and their advice, creative input and mentoring will continue with Comic Potential
• Arts Council England – although not directly funding Comic Potential, LICAF is the only ACE NPO working exclusively with comics. ACE funding for core revenue costs is a foundation on which Comic Potential is built and this programme will be included in 22/23 outcomes and the NPO application for 2023 onwards
