Igniting the spark: Engaging with young people on a genuine level
@ART31KENT
What is ART31?
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@_lucyedkins_ 3
@Jessica_Kate26
Activity: Draw a defining moment in your life when you were engaged in the arts! 5
Our Journey - The very beginning
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How did ART31 start?
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Our Journey - Mentoring
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Our Website
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UPrising
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art31.co.uk
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What we learnt - The Challenges • The communications from other organisations for young people aren’t always engaging • Underestimating young people • Time pressures on organisation, but also young people. Exam time, school terms. • Managing young people’s expectations - respect • Life cycle of project for Young People e.g by the time a 10 year plan from ACE is delivered, they won’t be young people anymore! • Progression (“why aren’t we being paid”) • Capacity – genuine and authentic engagement, can’t just be one person running everything and believing in it, The most senior person needs to be behind it. Not a “creative learning project”.
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What we learnt - Top 5 Do's • Listen and proactively respond. Honest, open communication – plain language, explain any jargon, LET GO and take risks! • Work in partnerships, including schools – Find the right people and international best practice models. • High quality artistic/professional mentoring, challenging young people. • Remove barriers – travel costs, inclusivity. • Start small and but don't wait the have a perfect plan. This has taken 5 years to build and is still developing!
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What we learnt - Dont's • Patronise/cringe – be careful how you pitch your comms. • Assume all young people are the same.
• Overpromise. You don’t need to deliver on every idea. • Not all ideas are right for your organisation, but always explain why. • Expect 9-5 working hours! Weekends and after-school, format of meetings may need to change. Be mindful of term-time/exam times. • Underestimate the challenges or the rewards… 14
‘I spent so many years not following my dreams because pretty much everyone kept telling me I wasn't good enough. ART31 made me realise I could because I got the support that I needed... You weren't prepared to just tell me what I wanted to hear which made me work harder and now I'm taking over the world!’ Carly
@ART31KENT #ChangeKent