A commission of up to £8,000 is being offered to creatives on the Isle of Wight, to work with young people from the Island Learning Centre (ILC) to co-create a public art intervention with the aim of strengthening the links between generations on the Island and boosting mutual respect.
The commission is part of Artwork’s Young Cultural Changemakers programme which empowers young people on the Isle of Wight and in four other areas across the South East to lead on significant creative projects in their local area, transforming their lives and those of their neighbours.
An outcome from creative consultation
This particular commission, which will be completed by the end of March 2024, comes out of a creative consultation run by Artswork at the ILC, at which young people drew cartoons with local cartoonist Adam Gaterell, as a way of thinking about their place in the community and creative solutions to improving the lives of young people locally.
The ILC is a Pupil Referral Unit providing specialised alternative provision for some of the most vulnerable students on the Isle of Wight. It works with students from 11 to 16 who require additional help with their social, emotional, or mental health needs.
Lainson: Will empower our young people to have a voice about community space
Juliet Lainson, art lead at the ILC commented,
“We are really pleased that students at the Island Learning Centre will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with Artswork and engage with artists on an authentic community project. Working with professionals offers real life experience, an insight into creative industries and constructive opportunities to engage with different services.
“This project will empower our young people to have a voice about community space and enable them to use creativity to make a positive contribution. It will provide a different perspective for our young people, giving them some responsibility to make informed choices about the project direction. It is intended the final outcome will promote community cohesion with our young people and their local space.”
Rainford: Bridging the age gap
Peta Rainford, Artwork’s placemaking creative producer on the Isle of Wight added,
“The big theme to emerge from the creative consultation session at the Island Learning Centre was the perceived lack of connection and respect between the young people and the older generation.
“It would be amazing if this project could make a real difference; help build understanding between the generations and boost self-esteem and respect.”
Anticipating exciting and imaginative submissions
The young people taking part in this project are hoping for exciting and imaginative submissions from creatives working in a wide range of media.
Their interests include (but are not limited to): graffiti art, murals, film, art trails, repurposing rubbish (particularly rubbish created by young people) and artwork created form activities such as paintballing!
Don’t miss the deadline
The full brief is available on the Website and applications must be received by 10am on Monday 20th November 2023.
Shortlisted applicants will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to the young people at a Dragons’ Den event on the morning of Monday 1st December 2023.
News shared by Peta on behalf of Artswork. Ed
