Art CAN’T make a difference if people DON’T want to take part!

A couple of weeks ago I had a bit of a break down, and told my mentor that I didn’t think it was possible to achieve the things that I want to achieve through art…for me actually this isn’t a bit of a break down it’s a massive break down. Everything I have been working towards for the last 3 years would have been a great big roundabout, with me just shooting round and round for 3 years, unable to get off!

However with a bit of hindsight, a sensible ear to listen to my rant, and some interest being shown in projects I have developed I’m back on track, and hopefully soon will be off the roundabout and shooting my way down the M1!

I think this disillusionment was mainly down to a lack of enthusiasm about a few projects that I have been arranging. How was I meant to use art to change the world if people didn’t want to change the world, or try on new things, or meet new people?

I never realised how icy a reception I would receive to certain projects, especially those which offers young people the chance to visit Europe! I suppose on paper, projects look a lot more official and a lot less fun, but how are we ever going to secure funding for projects if they sound like participants are going to have the time of their lives (which NATURALLY they will!)

I think motivation to participate is something that England struggles with! We have so many options and chances in today’s society that it is impossible  to decide which to choose…which will help us and which won’t?…so we just don’t chose at all! Working with Together showed me how willing young people from other counties are to get involved with projects in their community and that there isn’t always a stigma attached to taking part in extra curricular activities; But this stigma definitely exists for british young people!

I’m not sure what we can do about this stigma…but we need to do something! There are so many chances for young people to get involved with life changing activities, but they just shun them!

If you have any ideas…PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

Oyap so far this year!

As a new year begins the busy times start to show up again! Our first training session of the year went very well. Our day started off with a self promotion talk from Scott Cridland-Smith. His talk was very informative and he was approachable enough for us to feel like we could ask as many questions as we wanted. The talk itself was accompanied by a powerpoint presentation and was centered around how to promote yourself on the internet. How to set up your own website, get your blog seen etc.. I learned a lot and was glad not to have missed out! It’s been one of my favourite sessions so far.

In the afternoon we had Pete Mosley come in. He is OYAP’s evaluator and runs a company called Art of Work. This initial meeting with him was very helpful. He was also very approachable and offered to help and guide us in the future when it comes to our projects and working in the arts. It’s always good to know there is a support system around us, it gives us some confidence in what we’re doing.

On Monday, all of us young leaders had a meeting at Oxford Brookes University. I was productive but I feel we need more discussions like that one. It was very good to hear people’s ideas and the challenge will now be to see what is achievable and to see what we will be allocated. Tomorrow, I get to meet my mentor for the first time, Sharon Woodward. I am very curious to see what comes out of this meeting. I’ve been really looking forward to it.

This year has started off well and I predict we will see a lot of progress in the weeks to come. Busy times ahead!

To the new cohort from an old hand

Hello!

I have (very nearly) completed last year’s mentoring scheme with OYAP Trust. You can find loads of my posts here and on my own blog. These were all written as we went through the scheme so feel free to have a look at what we got up to.

I am just about to have my last meeting with my mentor who has been absolutely fabulous.

Feel free to get in touch.

Best,

Becca

Little Triumphs and Big STEPS

Today
You could say that I:

Managed, co-ordinated, produced, facilitated, enabled, collaborated, developed, engaged, introduced, planted.

This morning. My group of young people met with three older members of their local community at the Bicester Resource Centre. The centre’s artist led an art workshop that got all of them working with a material that was completely new to them: alginate. Three hand casts were made.

Everyone had a great time and next week they will come together again to start the real project work: a graffiti mural.

Everything went smoothly.

Planning is very nearly finished. Paperwork almost tied up and it is the beginning of the delivery stage. My first step to finishing something big.

On walking into OYAP Trust’s office at lunch time I was met with cheers and applause. A taste of a little triumph.

This afternoon I was scheduled to write the evaluation design. I put it back a few hours to have a leisurely lunch followed by some flute practice.

My mentor

I met with my mentor today.
We talked for three hours.
Lists were made.
Advice was given.
Stories shared.

Worries ironed out. There is nothing like having someone professional to check your work. Very soon I will be delivering my first community arts project and it will be a landmark event for me. I have always wanted to produce events and make exciting things happen. To be entirely accountable for a whole project, everyone’s safety and the experiences of everyone involved is no light matter. I have always been well aware that blundering into work like this could end in tears which is exactly why my mentor is so important to me. Especially now.

After today’s meeting I feel set straight for the next leg and ready to go.

I must add a caveat to that last comment. The meeting was in the morning and now a whole day and evening has passed and all I can think of is sleep. Perhaps pushing on right now would not be the wisest of ideas.

Tomorrow: a full list of to-dos!