The Watt Institution takes part in new international art project

The Watt Institution has been awarded funding from Art Fund UK to develop a schools programme inspired by THE HERDS, an international public art and climate action project.

THE HERDS will feature more than one hundred life-sized animal puppets created from recycled materials, journeying from Africa to the Arctic to highlight environmental challenges.

Funding received by the Watt Institution will be used to develop a local response to the project.

In Inverclyde, the project will focus on marine life from the museum’s collection, telling the story of pollution in the River Clyde. It will create puppets made by using plastic waste collected from local shores, which will be transformed into 3D printing filament to produce key components for the final designs. The museum received £1,300 from Art Fund UK to form its own project.

Staff from the Watt Institution will work with three local primary schools and are currently working with the council’s STEAM team to determine the schools. Pupils will help create the puppets and participate in a celebratory procession at Lunderston Bay, provisionally scheduled to take place during Great Big Green Week (7–15 June). The project will also form part of the wider STEAM Festival.

Workshops will be held at the Watt Institution leading up to this, where pupils will:

  • Learn about our natural sciences collection, climate change, and plastic pollution
  • Contribute to the creation of large puppets
  • Make their own smaller puppet to bring to the procession

Each school will work on one of three large puppets – a dolphin, a black-headed gull, and a langoustine - three species vulnerable to plastic pollution in the Clyde. 

Councillor Jim Clocherty, convener of education and communities, said: “It is wonderful news that this global art project will have an impact right here in Inverclyde.

“What a brilliant opportunity for our young people to be involved in and I’m sure it’s something they’ll really engage with.

“Using art to share a wider message about climate change is an effective way to get this important message across.

“My thanks to all involved in securing this funding and I’m already looking forward to seeing what the children come up with.”

A total of 44 museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK are taking part in the project.

THE HERDS is presented in partnership with global climate organisations – including WWF International, Save the Elephants, Wild Africa, Global Rewilding Alliance and TED Countdown - as well as numerous arts organisations, scientists, artists, zoologists, politicians, climate activists, universities and civil society groups across Central, West and North Africa and Europe to present one united call for action.   

Jenny Waldman, Director of Art Fund said: “Art Fund is supporting 44 museums and galleries across the UK take part in THE HERDS with their communities. Through exhibitions, performances, workshops, and educational activities, we’re excited to enable even more people of all ages to get involved in their local area and be inspired by museum collections and this extraordinary international climate movement.”

THE HERDS is produced by David Lan and Tracey Seaward for The Walk Productions and created by Amir Nizar Zuabi with Executive Producer Sarah Loader.