RECOMMENDATIONS

Co-production

A good place to start is setting up a small working group inviting community representatives from different groups and organisations in sectors such as arts / culture / health / education / religious settings to help guide the project. Consider diversity and inclusion when setting up the group and seek to be representative of the community in which the work will be delivered (see Appendix I: ‘How To’ Guidance section 10). If there is a particular focus to the project such as being led by young people, then the choice of representatives should reflect that. This could be done via direct invitation or open call.

The working group should be empowered to take ownership of the project and be involved in shaping the artist brief and site selection, artist recruitment and delivery. Members of the group will all have different experiences, skills and connections they can draw on to benefit the project.

In exchange, they may benefit from meeting new people and organisations, learning new skills, gaining a more in depth understanding of their locality, and enhancing the public realm for their community. Depending on the funding body and level of commitment required to be a member of the working group, remuneration for time and or expenses may need to be considered for those representing charities, freelancers or unwaged.

It’s important to remember that co-production with communities takes time to develop and it can be beneficial to initiate connections through existing trusted organisations and initiatives such as NOVA, Wakefield Libraries Team, Wakefield Museums and Castles, City of Sanctuary etc. and there is of course the PAFSG who have been specifically established to provide support for groups and individuals wishing to develop public art programmes in their locality.

Engaging Children and Young People

Engaging children and young people can bring a unique perspective to a project and meaningful engagement can have multiple benefits to participants.

With over 128 schools and colleges across the district, these education settings can be a great vehicle to engage children and young people whether that’s on or off timetable. By engaging with the Youth Voice Steering Group, you will reach up to 35 different youth organisations serving the district to help target specific groups relevant to the project. In addition, there are many community centres, creative and youth organisations delivering outreach programmes for children and young people across the district as well as partnerships such as Spark (Wakefield's cultural education partnership). In order to reach children and young people it is advised that you connect via one of these existing, trusted routes where safeguarding policies are in place.

Engaging children and young people can offer a direct route to raising awareness about the project more widely amongst their parents / carers, friends and family, increasing reach and impact.

Approaches to engagement will vary depending on age groups for example: early years and primary school settings may benefit from more participatory creative activities learning new techniques and exploring the themes of the artwork; secondary and further education settings may benefit from opportunities to take on the artist's role, mirroring the commissioning process by developing creative responses to the artist brief, gaining an insight into the process.

Engagement is key to inspiring the next generation of creative professionals and can not only harness their thoughts and contributions towards the development of a project, but it can also provide the chance for them to gain new skills, knowledge, inspiration and confidence. It can increase their pride in place, empowering them to be active citizens, showing they can have a real influence on the place where they live, helping to shape the future of their district. Participation can increase their aspirations, expand their own networks and provide an introduction to creative career pathways through working directly with professional artists. This approach supports the desire to retain young people developing their creative careers in the district and demonstrating that creativity happens here in Wakefield, and they don’t need to move away from the area to pursue a creative career.

Wider opportunities to bring generations together can be beneficial through sharing stories, experiences and skills, promoting shared understanding and breaking down stereotypes.

Legacy

Community involvement and co-production will support the long-term legacy of advocacy and ownership at a grassroots level. You should seek to increase the legacy of the project by building in opportunities for the working group, participants and audiences to benefit from participating in new experiences, learning skills and making new connections.

Learning and skills development may emerge through being part of the working group and direct participation in creative activity. Opportunities to collaborate with artists can be inspirational, enhancing aspirations in other aspects of our lives. Developing connections and friendships can increase confidence, improve mental wellbeing and help to tackle loneliness.

In addition, opportunities for artists' peer learning can be embedded through invitations to present at existing networking events or exhibiting research and design development at public events e.g., Artwalk Wakefield.