Our Education and Engagement Officer, Jackie Fauteux, was recently invited by our friends at East side Arts to speak as part of their ‘Creative Champions Network’. Here’s her blog on the experience.
“The Creative Champions network is a monthly social space for those working with or for communities in east Belfast who want to explore creativity, share ideas and find out more about how getting involved in arts activities can benefit the people they work with.”-
Learn more at Creative Champions network.
The theme for the session was based on ‘International Day of Play’ (4th August) so we talked all things play, creativity and imagination – a theme that couldn’t be closer to Young at Art’s heart. I spoke to the network about YAA’s Education and Engagement programme, our child-led and process-based methodology, and demonstrated the positive impact of creative engagement programmes for children and young people. That included sharing stories from past projects about the power of artisitic workshops that encourage open-questioning, have no wrong answers, use open-ended materials, and are designed to exercise our imaginations, increase our confidence and allow ourselves to play. It was wonderful to connect with East Side Arts and the network.
For more information on the Creative Champions Network visit https://www.eastsidearts.net/ or https://www.facebook.com/EastSideArtsBel
As it happens, Jackie’s session took place the day before East Side Arts festival started and it runs until 15th August! So, head over to their website or social media to see the amazing programme on offer, and get your tickets booked! If you want to learn about the broad range of Eduation and Engagement programmes devlivered by Young at Art, you can learn more at https://www.youngatart.co.uk/programmes
