From January 2022 to June 2023, as part of the Fonds de soutien aux initiatives transfrontalières locales (Comité du Détroit – Département du Nord), artconnexion started a cross-border project at the Turgot middle school of Denain (FR). This project will be led in partnership with the Harvey Grammar School of Folkestone (UK), the art company Strange Cargo, and contemporary artist Patrick Corillon.

Located in the municipality of Denain, the Turgot middle school has been part of a reinforced education priority network (labelled REP+) since 2015 and labelled Cité Éducative since 2019.

Strange Cargo explores new ways of involving and gathering citizens during celebrations and events, often outdoors, based around contemporary art and art in the city.

The project "Platform for Art & Play" revolves around the creation of an educational game between the community of Cheriton and Denain's middle school, in collaboration with artist Patrick Corillon. Our programme is comprised of educational sessions, exploring Patrick Corrilon's work and the world of non-competitive games, as well as artistic practice workshops during which the students will create their own games – taking inspiration from nature, ecology and landscapes.

This project centres on collaboration – whether it is through interdisciplinary teamwork by the professors (arts, English and media), co-construction of the project by the different partners (schools, artconnexion, Strange Cargo) and artist Patrick Corillon, or cooperation and co-creation between the students from both schools.

These exchanges will also be an opportunity to set up a long-term cultural and linguistic partnership between both schools, using digital technology, with regularly scheduled virtual meetings between the students and a pen-pal programme.