Partners: Open Youth Venue, The Matthew Project

About the project:

Young people spent 12 weeks researching, learning, reflecting, thinking and testing ideas to create a multi-media installation that gave the public insight on how they see and experience the world they live in today.

“Perspective” was exhibited in The Mall, Norwich, between in January 2011 and explored the themes of Perception, Identity and Place inviting the public to come in, walk round and experience their films, animations, photography, projections and three-dimensional designs.

Funded by Mediabox, Culture Works teamed up with the Open Youth Venue and The Matthew Project to work on the original application and design, project manage and deliver the vocationally based programme with a wide range of delivery modes, access routes and ways for involvement including a Creative Workshop programme, training, 1-2-1 support, master classes and youth led activity.

Highly skilled and inspirational CW Creative Associates worked with participants to explore a range of media including film, animation, audio and print. Experienced youth arts specialists, trainers and Arts Award advisers worked with participants so that they could form a Production Group to design, create and exhibit the installation for the public.

Impact:

“Perspective” provided innovative opportunities for 30 disadvantaged young people that explores issues and themes they identified as important to them. Participants were able to develop all the creative and technical skills required to bring their ideas to life while also giving them the chance to get their voices heard in the community, to participate in decision making, showcase their talents, develop life-long skills, improved personal and social skills and explore potential career pathways within the creative industries. Open approached Culture Works to gain experience and insight so they could deliver similar projects in the future giving Open users increased access to their facilities. 

What they thought:

Young Person: 

“I am happy to be part of this project because it makes me feel like I’m not alone in the community and it stretching my mind and making me think forward.”

Young Person:

“I couldn’t believe what we could do. We said it was impossible, but it was possible.”

Young Person:

“I have learnt lots of things about animation ‘cos I want to pursue a career in animation and this has given me a really good feel of things.”

Partner:

“The Matthew Project has supported Perspective with specialist drug and alcohol support in order to promote discussions around drug awareness, staying safe and reducing harm. Perspective has enabled our clients to engage in positive activities, meet new people and be able to talk to workers in an informal environment. They have been given the opportunity to creatively express themselves and address some of the issues they face using a variety of media.” Sophie Neech, Youth Team Manager for The Matthew Project

In Our Gallery:

Perspective - Rooms & Roofs

Perspective - Perception

Perspective - Dice up Your Life

Partners: BBC

About the project:

Between 2006 and 2010 across 31 weeks, from April to November, Blast on Tour offered a range of creative events in cities and towns throughout the UK. Creative activities on offer were designed for young people  aged 13-19 engaging at different levels, from first time discoverers; to those developing their skills and to emerging as artists/creators themselves. BBC Blast was an impressive mobile creative village, complete with digital workshop spaces and a separate performance area. Elli worked as part of the tour team in 2007 as Lead Facilitator. Culture Works then went on to be event organiser for 3 events (2008 – 10) in Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Hunstanton. For each event Culture Works was responsible for:

• Creating a high quality programme of creative workshops, opportunities and showcases for the event e.g. tasters, short projects, Q & A’s and showcases
• Bringing together and managing national and local facilitators to deliver the programme
• Recruiting and managing  3 - 5 young people on work experience placements to help plan, promote and deliver the event
• Ensuring that the event was tailored to the individual location
• Working closely with regional and local organisations including councils, youth services, schools, youth groups, arts organisations creative and education practitioners, industry professionals and local BBC networks

Engagement with Blast enabled young people to develop a broad range of skills. Activity outside the formal education curriculum providing creativity and skills development as well as a sense of self-esteem, growth in confidence, increased collaborative skills and team working.

Each event offered activities for 150 young people per day in its purpose built media village. A  further 150 people attended showcases and took part in discovery and drop-in activity.

What they thought:

Parent: 

“My children took part in several workshops and had the most fantastic time, it has been a long while since I have seen them enjoy something so much. It gave them insights into things they could have only dreamt of before. everyone involved deserves a huge thank-you.”

Young Person:

“I really enjoyed taking photos of the event and loved being able to participate in the photography workshop; I was able to talk to the facilitator about his interest and see some really creative images that the participants captured. My supervisors were brilliant and I enjoyed getting to know the rest of the Work Experience team!”

In Our Gallery:

Lost & Found

TV special effects

Animation Montage

Song by Brad and Paige