The Children’s Media Conference In Sheffield Launch the Ground-Breaking Interactive Digital Art Exhibition PLAYGROUND

Running this year for two weeks from the 25th – 30th June and the 2nd – 7th July 2019, the exhibition is now in its fourth year and will focus on the theme of Game/Changers, showcasing reinterpretations and remakes of seminal toys, games and experiences developed over the last 40 years.

This year, Playground’s 2018 iteration was presented the ‘Best Digital Arts & Culture Project’ award at the inaugural Sheffield Digital Awards 2019.

Curated by CMC, artists and designers in this year’s line-up include Pippin Barr, Bennett Foddy, La Sophiste and Sensible Object, a new commission by Site Gallery’s Society of Explorers and the MakEY project organised and run by The University of Sheffield, School of Education.

Award-winning digital art exhibition returns with expanded dates added for 2019: 25-30 June & 2-7 June

The Children’s Media Conference (CMC) is set to launch ‘Playground’, its ground-breaking interactive digital art exhibition for children, families and CMC delegates, on 25th June at the Site Gallery, Sheffield. Running this year for two weeks from the 25th – 30th June and the 2nd – 7th July 2019, the exhibition is now in its fourth year and will focus on the theme of Game/Changers, showcasing reinterpretations and remakes of seminal toys, games and experiences developed over the last 40 years.

This year, Playground’s 2018 iteration was presented the ‘Best Digital Arts & Culture Project’ award at the inaugural Sheffield Digital Awards 2019. Curated by CMC, artists and designers in this year’s line-up include Pippin Barr, Bennett Foddy, La Sophiste and Sensible Object, a new commission by Site Gallery’s Society of Explorers and the MakEY project organised and run by The University of Sheffield, School of Education.

The exhibition is suitable for 5-12 year olds but everyone is welcome to drop-in free of charge during opening hours. For children with sensory requirements, Playground will host a quiet hour on the mornings of Saturday 29 June and Saturday 6 July.

Kathy Loizou, Co-founder and Director of The Children’s Media Conference said “We are delighted that Playground continues to grow, this year doubling its stay at the Site Gallery, and garnering a 2019 Sheffield Digital Award in recognition of the innovation at the heart of the project. We look forward to bringing the experience to even more local families and children, and enjoying the interpretations of this year’s theme, Game/Changers.”

Sharna Jackson, the show’s curator and Artistic Director at Site Gallery, said “I’m thrilled that Playground has come home to Site Gallery and we’ve been able to double the exhibition’s run from one week to two. I cannot wait to see children and their families at the Gallery enjoying Game/Changers.”

About CMC Playground
Playground is a two week long, free, interactive art exhibition in Sheffield for kids. This year it will be at the Site Gallery 25th – 30th June and the 2nd – 7th July .

The show focuses on experiences that merge physical and digital play. Started by The Children’s Media Conference (CMC) as a way to engage with the public during their annual conference in the city but also with the aim of inspiring local kids about the potential of creative digital play.

Playground is organised by The Children’s Media Conference in collaboration with:

Exhibition Partner: Site Gallery

Major Sponsor: Dubit,
Major Sponsor: YouTube Kids

Sponsor: Playing the Archive

Partner: Sheffield Hallam University
Partner: The University of Sheffield MakEY
Partner: National Videogame Museum

Playground Curator: Sharna Jackson

About Kathy Loizou
Co-founder and Director of The Children’s Media Conference. Prior to that, Kathy was Director of Showcomotion Young People’s Film Festival (2002–9) and Director of the Sheffield Doc/Fest (1996–2002). She is a Trustee of SHIFT, a Sheffield charity which works with disadvantaged young people to train them in film-making and digital media. She is a member of the European Children’s Film Association (ECFA).

About Sharna Jackson
Sharna Jackson is the Artistic Director at Site Gallery, Sheffield’s leading international contemporary art space, specialising in moving image, new media and performance. She is also a children’s author, her debut novel High-rise Mystery was released in April 2019. She is on the board of Sheffield Doc/Fest and New Writing North in addition to being a member of BAFTA’s Children’s and Learning and New Talent committees and the Children’s Media Conference advisory board.

About The Children’s Media Conference
Now in its 16th year, The Children’s Media Conference (CMC) is the premier conference in the UK dedicated to supporting children’s media. This annual get-together is the most important event of its kind in the UK; it’s the only time when independent producers, broadcasters, film makers, commissioners, licensing executives, distributors, publishers, interactive media producers, writers, academics, theatre directors and educational media specialists can get together for discussions, workshops and intensive sessions which focus on all the new and future developments in children’s media and entertainment.