Art@Work – Sept 2012 – July 2015
Project strands included;
- Out of the Vacuum
- Creative Cafe – click here to view brief video
- Cube Cola
- Game Jam
- Family Politics
- Family Photo Fest
Overview
Students from Brighton & Portslade Aldridge Academies have been taking part in Art at Work a two-year, Arts Council funded education programme delivered by educational charity the Aldridge Foundation in partnership with two of Brighton & Hove’s leading arts organisations, Photoworks and Lighthouse, with the support of Brighton & Hove City Council.
Art at Work provides students at the two academies in Falmer and Portslade with the opportunity to gain real understanding of how to become a creative professional through a range of first hand experiences.
The creative industries account for around £1 in every £10 of the UK’s exports* and Brighton is home to some of the UK’s best artists, photographers, creative technologists, game designers and digital developers. Art at Work is bringing some of these incredible professionals into the Academies, setting up mentoring and shadowing schemes, and visits to museums, galleries and archives, as well as opportunities for students to visit professionals in their workplace.
In 2014 the project will equip students with the skills and expertise necessary to create their own citywide programme of exhibitions and community events, enabling them to showcase what they have learnt during the two-year project.
Art at Work creates stronger links between the city’s arts and creative industries, young people, and the communities of Portslade and Falmer, with a focus on training in the creative use of technology inside and outside the classroom, creative and digital careers awareness, and contemporary film, photography and digital media practice.
The programme aims to support, inspire and train teachers and youth and community leaders, promote networking and establish stronger links with the city’s cultural offer.
The project partners have engaged Culture Shift to evaluate the programme. They have worked with the group from the start to refine and clarify the project outcomes and develop appropriate tools to measure the impact of the programme.
* DCMS, 27 February 2013: Our creative industries are a real success story. They are worth more than £36 billion a year; they generate £70,000 every minute for the UK economy; and they employ 1.5 million people in the UK. According to industry figures, the creative industries account for around £1 in every £10 of the UK’s exports. With the right support, they have the potential to bring even more benefits to our culture and economy.
Partners
Photoworks curates, commissions and publishes new writing on photography and produces exhibitions, books and events including the Brighton Photo Biennial. Collaborating with a broad range of artists and organisations, engaging the widest possible audiences, Photoworks encourages debate and inspires new thinking about photography.
Lighthouse is a leading digital culture agency in South East England supporting, commissioning and showcasing new work by digital artists and filmmakers and others. As well as being a vibrant venue for events, exhibitions and workshops in Brighton, Lighthouse supports artists and filmmakers by offering opportunities for development through commissions and mentoring programmes. Lighthouse advocates for moving image, media arts and the new forms of practice made possible by digital technologies.
Pegasus 2014-15
Last year’s award was open to children and young people (aged between 10 and 18 years old) either working in a group or on their own to develop an idea for an event or activity to take place. The idea had to make a difference in at least one of the following ways;
- more people joining in and taking part
- less people feeling left out
- more good stuff happening for children and young people
- more people spending their time doing something for other
A number of awards were made including some of the following;
Elders Xmas Meal
A free Xmas meal for local elders funded by Pegasus and Healthy Neighborhoods money bringing together BACA catering students to prepare, cook and serve a top-notch festive feast, December 2014. Delivered with The Bevy.
Dance Your Heart Out
A series of affordable dance lessons to encourage children and young people aged between 7 and 14 years old to try different types of dance classes. The workshops took place at BACA during the February half term and 3 days over the Summer holidays. Delivered with Feel the Vibe.
Project Wild Thing
A film screening included a market place providing networking opportunity for local educators to meet with individuals and organisations offering and supporting outdoor learning both in the city and surrounding area. March 2015.
Bake It Happen!
A series of baking workshops over a number of sessions resulting in a full day of baking for young people in local primary schools. The workshops took place each week leading up to a full day during May half term. Delivered with Trailer Trashed.
Community@BACA 