The Rothschild Foundation is a long-standing supporter of Articulation, a public speaking initiative which introduces students, teachers’ and wider audiences to art. The project encourages young people to develop the essential skills of independent research, learning to ask questions, effectively communicate and develop the confidence to voice their views on a public platform.

Articulation forges connections between the National Gallery, who run the programme, and many local museums and galleries. Waddesdon Manor was delighted to take part once again in 2023 and hosted one of 19 regional heats, during which young people aged between 16 to 19 delivered ten-minute presentations on a work of art, an artefact or architecture of their choice, in front of audiences.  Eyes and ears were opened to subjects ranging from video games, art installations, AI art, robots, paintings, photographs, film, buildings, and much more.

We were immensely proud of the students from Waddesdon Church of England School who took part alongside pupils from other Buckinghamshire schools, strengthening our connections in the local community. In total, 115 schools participated in the 2023 Articulation prize, with seven of this year’s nine grand finalists attending state schools. One teacher said:

“The standard of the speeches just gets better and better and they inspired amazing conversations all the way back to school in the minibus”.

This year’s Articulation grand final took place at the National Gallery on 28th March. The event welcomed nine finalists from across England and an audience of 200, made up of students, teachers, previous adjudicators, long-standing supporters and Gallery colleagues. Dr Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery, was the grand final adjudicator. Our congratulations to this years’ Articulation winner Georgie E from Mary Hare School in Berkshire for their presentation on Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller, ‘The Dark Pool’, 1995.

All participants will be invited to join the Articulation Alumni, a network which helps students find opportunities in the art world, such as work experience in creative organisations, the chance to present their talks at conferences, or develop their presentations into written articles.

Articulation and other cultural education projects are supported by the Rothschild Foundation’s Strategic Fund. Our priorities for this programme and guidance for applicants can be found here.