KBF’s ’Art by Children’ initiative cultivating environment for art and creativity

A group of people, including children, sat in groups at an open space beside the Water Metro terminal in Fort Kochi, crafting hats out of fresh coconut palm fronds. At this craft workshop, ’Olakkalari’, held as part of ’Art by Children’ (ABC), an initiative by the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF), they were learning how to intertwine the long green strips from artist and sculptor John Baby, who facilitated the session.

Through ABC, the Kochi Biennale Foundation has been working to cultivate an environment for art and creativity for communities including children, parents and art educators. One of its main projects, the ’Art Room’, was launched in 2018 by establishing a dedicated space for art in government schools.

For the current edition of the biennale, six government schools across Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Alappuzha were chosen – Government Higher Secondary School, Kalavoor; Government Upper Primary School, Vypeen; Government Higher Secondary and Lower Primary School, Mattancherry; Government Higher Secondary School, Vijayaraghavapuram, Chalakkudy; Government Upper Primary School, Chirakkakam, Varappuzha; and Government Model Residential School, Chalakkudy.

“The idea is to create a non-judgemental and non-competitive space where children can explore their inner artistic calling,” says Blaise Joseph, artist and programme lead of ABC. Mr. Joseph along with programme associate Neethu K.S., have been co-ordinating workshops to help art educators explore creative methods of facilitation with an understanding of local contexts, and create inclusive, community-based activities. The facilitators of these art rooms in schools too have been trained in creative art facilitation practices.

Networks of artists and educators

The Art Room team, led by Mr. Joseph, also facilitates ’Kala Nila’, a platform that builds networks of artists and educators who believe in art as a space for inquiry.

“These ‘art rooms’ themselves evolve as a work of art. Once you take competition out of the equation, curiosity is sparked in children and they don’t feel limited in their thinking. These art rooms are built on the belief that art can create inclusive, value-based learning,” Mr. Joseph adds.

The ‘Art Rooms’ go beyond the classrooms, extending to homes, communities and natural spaces. While centred on children, it involves their families as well. “We have reached out to 120 families across eight modules. Art cannot be viewed independently; it has to be seen at a community level. This is an empathetic space for co-learning, where adults and children can work together,” he adds.

The preparation and outreach programmes for ABC began in September 2025, ahead of the official launch of the biennale.

The first Art Room project began at the Government Higher Secondary School in Mattancherry (in 2018-19) and it set up art spaces in seven schools across Ernakulam and Thrissur and one in Palakkad. A model art room was also set up at the main venue of the biennale, serving as an active hub for visiting children, school groups and college students.

This edition has two venues, the Water Metro terminal and Bastion Bungalow, which will host workshops led by artist facilitators from diverse fields.