Hi Jodie

Sorry about the delayed response.

I would like to share experience of running targeted projects that operate around the Arts Award framework.

As I mentioned previously I run the stART Project which targets vulnerable young people categorised as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training). Being young & unemployed in a deprived area often leads to disillusionment & alienation; these feelings can significantly undermine self-esteem and self-worth leaving young people incapable of identifying their personal qualities, skills & ambitions, let alone developing them.

stART operates around the Arts Award framework using enjoyable activities to “hook in” these disengaged young
people. This involves taking part in weekly workshops with artists and photographers for Part A. Workshops explore a different aspect/genre of visual art each week, offering “quick wins” which produce pleasing results for a wide
range of ability levels; this rapidly establishes a sense of achievement, progress & potential.

Peoples’ previous experiences of education have often been negative or uninspiring, with an expectation of failure; stART activities are designed to be engaging and enjoyable, they are for an ability range from expert to absolute novice! There is an expectation of success!

Young people are often intimidated by public buildings such as colleges, galleries or rooms full of people, these feelings can often prevent young people from accessing services, education or from going to a job interview. Part B provides an opportunity to address issues around perceptions of public buildings/spaces, a visit to MIMA in Middlesbrough is often the first time young people have been to their hometown gallery. stART’s informal learning approach and relaxed atmosphere enables young people to grow accustomed to being in a shared workspace laying the foundations for entering employment, education or training. 

The process of keeping a diary is a highly effective method of encouraging reflective thinking; project workers find that keeping a diary triggers a deeper response in young people that they begin to learn about themselves, who they are and what they want from life. Part C reinforces this further; they have to think about what their interests are andwhy they like what they like. It is this process which helps young people to develop the self-understanding that is needed to identify appropriate progression routes to employment, education or training; this is then supported
by project and Integrated Youth Support Service staff.

Part B is great! I get to take young people from deepest, darkest, Middlesbrough to places they would never
normally go, like a Yoko Ono exhibition at BALTIC or to see Jaume Plensa’s work at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. It is almost possible to see their perceptions expanding with the experience; this is very exciting to be part of. A recent
visit to the park resulted in some very interesting responses; the experience clearly inspired young people beyond the confines of interpreting art. The Sculpture Park itself and the concept of a landscape full of sculptures made a
strong impression, “it brings art to the people”; this is something they felt they wanted to share, “I would like to bring my daughter to Yorkshire Sculpture park for a day out, it’s a good place for kids”. Words chosen to sum up their
visit were “beautiful”, “peaceful” and “relaxing”.

Part D provides an opportunity for young people to exercise and share new skills that they have developed; it also tests new found confidence. It is for this reason that Part D is the most challenging; these young people have only just got used to working with others, speaking in a group or recording information. Part D is carefully considered by project leaders and although young people are often very reticent about leading an activity they find that it gives a much needed boost to their self-esteem. This is a significant increase in responsibility (stepping up to a leadership role) this serves to crystalize the personal development process.

I have focused on the Arts Award element to stART; there are other aspects that achieve the project aims; however I have to say that the Arts Award framework is integral and very effective in helping vulnerable, disadvantaged and
disengaged young people re-integrate with employment, education or training.

An article about stART was published in theDecember issue of Children & Young People Now.