February 2006
StratREAL Chairman joins HRH The Prince of Wales to celebrate the work of The Prince of Wales Arts & Kids Foundation

The StratREAL Foundation, represented by Chairman Pierre Rolin, today joined over 450 children from across the UK to help HRH The Prince of Wales open a special exhibition, 'In The Land of Illustrations'.

‘In The Land of Illustrations', at 80 Victoria Street, includes over 1,400 illustrations from 28 schools. The exhibition is the first public event for the newly independent charity, The Prince of Wales Arts & Kids Foundation, which works to give children who might never otherwise have the opportunity, access to the best of the arts.

‘In The Land of Illustrations' was a nationwide project to inspire children to explore the area in which they live through illustration. Children from 28 schools were selected, by Arts & Kids, to work alongside a professional artist to produce work that was exhibited first in their local town centre. All the work has now been brought to London and the children involved will hear from HRH The Prince of Wales and take part in workshops led by Quentin Blake, and other professional artists and illustrators.

HRH The Prince of Wales today said: "The arts have the power to shape lives, provide inspiration and awaken talent. They should not be seen as an optional extra for children, or as an exercise in elitism. This magic is the greatest gift of all – for it is what, at the end of the day, makes us truly human."

Rick Wills, Chairman, The Prince of Wales Arts & Kids Foundation adds: "In the Land of Illustrations’ has given the children involved a way of getting to know the place they live, its culture, its history and the people who live there. For some it has improved confidence and creative skills but for all it has provided a way of expanding their horizons."

The StratREAL Foundation is supporting the development and subsequent implementation of The Prince of Wales Arts & Kids Foundation's new programme. The programme will give children the chance to get to know and love their local theatre, orchestra and gallery, and every child who participates will benefit from a whole year of arts experiences, including at least two visits to a performance or exhibition.

Pierre Rolin, Chairman of The StratREAL Foundation, comments: "We are delighted to be supporting The Prince of Wales Arts and Kids Foundation. The arts should be available to everyone - they can give a child a way to understand other cultures and ways of life, to perhaps regain lost self-esteem or return to formal education, or just simply offer an escape into a new, magical world for an hour or two "

Note to editors:

  • The StratREAL Foundation was established in 2003 to help improve the lives of children and young people around the world.
  • The Foundation works to forge relationships with selected partners in order to channel funds to support carefully thought-through projects and programmes that make a tangible difference in the lives of young people.
  • The Foundation also assists philanthropists who wish to make a positive difference in the lives of young people by helping to ensure that their charitable contributions are directed toward projects that have a direct and apparent impact.
  • The StratREAL Foundation works in partnership with the following charities: Learning Through the Arts, New York Academy of Arts, The Prince of Wales Arts & Kids Foundation, The Prince's Drawing School, UNESCO Foundation - Education for Children in Need, VSO.

The Prince of Wales Arts & Kids Foundation

The Prince of Wales Arts & Kids Foundation works to give every child the chance to experience the arts. The arts can give children the chance to step outside themselves and into a world without boundaries. Arts & Kids' work opens the door to the arts to many children who might not otherwise have that chance.