Skip to Content

This website uses Cookies you can control them from this page: Cookies Page

Functionality Cookies Performance Cookies Targeting Cookies
THE 2022 FESTIVAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
22 October - 13 November
FoSS and ESRC logos

Exhibition: Mancunian Cultural Capital: Artistic Expression through Graffiti

Photo of wall running alongside a building with graffiti that reads One dream inspires another. Montaged with a second photo that shows four young people stood in front of a building with a black and white graffiti painting of singer Nina Simone.

My local area theme

What’s on offer?

This is an exhibition of young children’s artwork. The artwork is inspired by local street art and graffiti and asks us to think about how we value and appreciate culture. Graffiti artist Russ Meehan and Childhood scholars Juliette Wilson-Thomas and Ruby Brooks have worked with local children to develop their artwork for display. 

What’s it about?

Cultural capital is a social science concept relating to the value of our cultural knowledge and experiences. It is now a key Ofsted inspection criteria for early years and school settings, but many people are unsure what it means. It is often linked to an elitist hierarchy of art forms however, it could be about experiencing, promoting and valuing diverse forms of culture. This exhibition features graffiti-inspired artwork by local young children, and their discussions of art and value, resisting elitism and celebrating local culture in its diversity. 

Who’s leading the event?

Dr Juliette Wilson-Thomas and Ruby Brooks from the Early Years and Childhood Studies team at Manchester Metropolitan University (Faculty of Education and Health).

Open to

Everyone

Of particular interest to

Educators seeking to understand Ofsted inspection language relating to cultural capital, and seeking to meet this requirement in ways which resist any elitism.

Parents and children who participated in the sessions.

Artists.

Scheduling information

The Powerhouse Library is open Monday to Thursday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm. and Saturday 12:00 midday -5:00pm. It is closed on Fridays and Sundays.