Design by Mamoru Iriguchi
ELECTION is a pop-up performance for public space that imagines children as political bigwigs with the power to make real change. They want to end war, lower food prices, and tax the rich - and they also want no school ever.
“I can talk about politics and understand what I am saying but I couldn’t before the project.”
The project sees local 10-12 year olds take part in a series of politically-engaged workshops in their school or community group to write a collaborative manifesto, which is then performed in public space by a cast of local children.
“[The activity] supported pupil voice + creativity…pupils voiced their opinions, justified their responses, challenged their opponents + listened to different viewpoints. [ELECTION] allowed pupils to express their own thoughts and meaningful ideas in an accessible way.”
- Primary 7 teacher
ELECTION was originally commissioned by the North Edinburgh Arts Youth Arts Collective with Imaginate for the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival 2025. The project remounted as part of Talbot Rice Gallery’s The Children Are Now symposium, and in Glasgow in partnership with Platform and Oakwood Primary School, supported by the Youth Arts Open Fund.
ELECTION is available for touring. Please get in touch!