Children and young people

A partnership between Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) and charity Get Into Theatre is launching a nationwide programme to improve access to jobs and increase diversity in theatre.

The scheme, Work in Theatre, will take place across 15 ATG venues and offer digital activities through Get Into Theatre’s website.
 
The year-long project, funded by Arts Council England, aims to reach more than 30,000 young people and will focus on three strands of work: work experience, a teacher conference, and emerging artist commissions.

Get Into Theatre Director Alex Duarte-Davies said getting young people who want to build a career in theatre through those physical doors “can often be a daunting challenge”. 

“This collaboration with ATG will see those doors opened wide and ensure that young people from all backgrounds are given the same opportunities to ‘get into theatre’. 

“It is a step in breaking down those barriers between education and industry, to ensure that the future of the sector is both representational and accessible.”

Newham Council and the University of East London (UEL) have announced a partnership aimed at increasing cultural and creative opportunities for young people in the area.

The partnership, based at Stratford Youth Zone, will see a £733,000-a-year investment go towards supporting creative and performing arts opportunities in Newham.

The venue will host social and emotional learning programmes, along with activities focused on drama, music, dance, fashion, games design, filmmaking, screenwriting and visual and digital arts. 

The programme will also include education workshops led by art students from UEL and the university will draw on staff and student expertise in education, youth work, social work, business, events and hospitality to involve young people – particularly those deemed disadvantaged and at-risk – in research and the production of arts activities. 

The partnership will also seek to make available opportunities for young people to undertake work placements, mentorships, internships and apprenticeships offering experience and paths to career opportunities in the creative industries.

“Providing exemplary youth service provision is a central objective of my administration because we want Newham to be the best place for a child and young person to grow up, so that they reach their potential and thrive,” said Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz.

“Through this pioneering collaboration with the University of East London, the Council’s Youth Empowerment Service will progress with its ambitious plans to offer a range of enriching and empowering opportunities for young people through an exciting curriculum anchored in culture, creativity and the arts.”

Medway School of Arts is set to open its doors in September on a site at The Historic Dockyard, Chatham.

The new school will be run by MidKent College and will offer university-level courses.

It hopes to fill the gap created by the impending closure of the University of Creative Arts (UCA) in Rochester.

UCA will close its current site in September with plans to move its arts courses to Canterbury, Epsom and Farnham.

Commenting on the site for the new school, MidKent College principal, Simon Cook, said: “The Historic Dockyard is known in Medway as a hub for the creative industries, so we are delighted to base Medway’s School of Arts there."

A youth-led fund launched in partnership by Youth Scotland and Creative Scotland has awarded £65,000 of funding to young people across the country to pursue creative arts projects and experiences.

After receiving applications from more than 100 young people aged between five and 25, Step into the Art has awarded funding to 45 creative projects.

For some young people, the grants will support them to take lessons to explore or develop their skills in all kinds of artistic expression, from fine-art painting and fashion design to drumming and special effects makeup.

For others, grants will provide equipment or other practical support to get them started with specific projects, including everything from an educational film about bullying, to a podcast about the experience of being an immigrant in Scotland, to a Wild West-style play promoting positive masculinity.

Colin Bradie, Head of Creative Learning at Creative Scotland said: ‘We’re grateful to all the young people involved in the creation of this fund. Involving young people at the heart of decision-making ensures that they’re listened to and respected, making the opportunities more relevant to other young people. 

"They’ve created a vital opportunity for many more young people across the country to step into the arts. Not only will they be able to realise their creative ambitions but they’ll also be making friends, creating communities, and having fun along the way."