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

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

Through ABC, the Kochi Biennale Foundation works to foster art and creativity for communities, including children, parents and art educators. One of its main projects, ‘Art Room’, was implemented in 2018 by creating a special area for art in public schools.

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

“The goal is to create a non-judgmental, non-competitive space where kids can discover their inner artistic calling,” says ABC artist and program lead Blaise Joseph. Mr. Joseph, along with program partner Neethu KS, coordinates workshops to help arts educators explore creative facilitation methods by understanding local contexts and create inclusive, community-based activities. Facilitators of these art rooms in schools are also trained in creative art facilitation practices.

Artist and educator networks

The Art Room team, led by Mr. Joseph, also facilitates ‘Kala Nila’, a platform that creates networks of artists and educators who believe that art is a field of inquiry.

“These ‘art rooms’ themselves thrive as works of art. When you take competition out of the equation, children become curious and do not feel limited in their thinking. These art rooms are built on the belief that art can create inclusive, value-based learning,” adds Mr. Joseph.

‘Art Rooms’ extend beyond classrooms into homes, communities and natural areas. Although it focuses on children, it also includes their families. “We reached 120 families in eight modules. Art cannot be viewed in isolation; it must be seen at the community level. This is an empathetic space for shared learning, where adults and children can work together,” she adds.

ABC’s preparation and outreach programs began in September 2025, ahead of the biennial’s official opening.

The first Art Room project started at the Government Higher Secondary School in Mattancherry (in 2018-19) and has set up art spaces in seven schools in Ernakulam and Thrissur and one school in Palakkad. An exemplary art room has also been established in the main venue of the biennial, which will serve as an active center for visiting children, school groups and university students.

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