Current Projects
Young Artists – Sharing the Light
Young Artists – Sharing the Light is an Arts Lab Covid-19 response project that has grown organically out of need and circumstance in these particularly challenging times for young people. Our aim has been to:
- Provide opportunities for 18-28 year old creatives, each with their own specialism, to maintain connection, wellbeing and professional aspiration both during the current crisis and beyond;
- Support young artists pursuing careers in the arts to develop their practice in ways that maximise their professional calibre alongside working with and transforming communities;
- Encourage young artists to take the lead in inspiring and motivating others, through creative practice, to stay connected and positive in challenging times.
The project began in April 2020, evolving through a range of smaller projects as a mainstay and constant for young people navigating lockdown and a post-Covid world of uncertainty.
Sept-Dec ’20 – Keeping it Real – building connections with real life issues in society and the world at large, using our mediums to raise awareness and develop creative tools to affect positive change.
Aug ’20 – Summer Splash! – research project around CHANGE.
April-July ’20 – Lockdown Call & Response – artist-chosen weekly themes prompting making, conversation and sharing on social media.
Consistent throughout, has been the use of virtual platforms to communicate and share work. Since our launch, over 220 new artworks have been created and shared on our social media platforms, directly engaging 50 young creatives in hands-on making and over 600 viewers. The driving force are our lead Young Artists, Young Curators and the Arts Lab Director. Facilitated by a rota of 2-3 mentors, the young people meet digitally each week to share ideas, reflect and plan.
‘The projects have given me such an amazing outlet to express my unique creative skills as well as helping me to develop and grow as an individual. I have achieved a more refined skill set, bettered my people skills and gained a wonderful arts family.’ RH
‘Working with Arts Lab has opened me to working on projects within a group, gaining a sense of community that I’ve not done before.’ MO