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Artswork Youth Board members on a landing craft boat

Empowering young people through the Artswork Youth Board

At Artswork, we work to empower young people through creativity not just in our programmes (like our Activate Young Cultural Changemakers programme, where young people lead on significant creative commissions that make a difference where they live) but also in the whole way that Artswork is run.

What is the Artswork Youth Board?

The Artswork Youth Board consists of a group of brilliant young people aged 12 to 25 who engage in monthly online meetings that aim to fundamentally shape the future of Artswork. The young people take part in a variety of discussions that focus on a wide range of topics, from the importance of creativity in Youth Voice, to exploring careers in the creative industries.


The points that are generated from each discussion are fed back directly to Artswork’s Main Board. This means we will see the tremendous impact that the diverse perspectives of youth board members will have on our organisation. 

 

“It’s really important to us at Artswork that our whole organisation is influenced by the leadership that young people can give us. Our Youth Board is increasingly representative of the wide range of young people we work with across all our programmes, and they know better than anyone where and how we can be most effective at empowering young people. They bring fantastic ideas, energy and challenge to Artswork; we will both amplify their voices and be guided by what they say.”
– Louise Govier, Chief Executive at Artswork

In addition to Artswork Youth Board members creating positive, long-term change to Artswork, they also have the opportunity to:

  • Take part in sessions that explore trying new creative activities that develop their own artistic practices.
  • Undergo training on valuable skills like youth leadership, building confidence, communication and listening.
  • Gain Arts Award qualifications with support from our trained Arts Award advisers.
  • Obtain Digital Badges micro-qualifications that acknowledge valuable skills and learning that are typically not recognised through exams and formal qualifications.
  • Attend two annual in-person meet ups that involve cultural trips, planning and training.

 

Artswork Youth Board members on a Landing Craft boat smiling

What is our Youth Board focusing on in 2024-25?

The Youth Board’s current focus is on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, how they can understand their community, and use their voice to generate positive change in their local areas.

Artswork Youth Board members on a landing craft boat

Every young person is involved in strategic thinking and practical planning that ensures Artswork’s campaigns remain relevant and meaningful to the children and young people we work with.

At the next in-person meet up, the Youth Board will focus on two important topics:

  • Working on a communications campaign that provides a platform for Youth Board members to express themselves and collaborate with other young people on this topic  
  • Developing a resource for staff and Trustees that responds to the themes of inclusivity and relevance from a young person’s perspective, including youth-led research on the barriers and discrimination young people face when accessing creative careers.

 

Want to find out more about the Youth Board?

Get in touch with our Youth Board Lead, Beccy East at rebeccaeast@artswork.org.uk

 

This project is ongoing and supported by public funding from Arts Council England. 

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