Ambition or Challenge? It depends how you look at it
We’re all finding new ways of living and working at the moment, so launching a new youth programme on Zoom seemed very much like both an ambition AND a challenge. Nonetheless, we made it happen, and last Friday night, Studio 3 Arts launched ‘Project Growth’, a network-based model of youth leadership and development for young creatives, community leaders and entrepreneurs. Project Growth is an offshoot of Groundbreakers, our intensive 6-month course for young people, funded by the Young Londoners Fund.
A key component of our vision for Groundbreakers (conceived pre-Covid) was a programme of work experience, trips and visits and research studies with partners. Covid stopped this in its tracks, so our young people came up with Project Growth. If they couldn’t undertake work experience, or go to visit interesting organisations, we would find a way to bring those things to us by creating a collaborative online network curated by young people themselves.
So the network was launched last Friday night, on Zoom, to an audience of about 40 people; young creatives and entrepreneurs, alumni of Studio 3 Arts’ previous projects, partner organisations, Trustees and supporters. We kicked things off with music from DJ MR S aka Stefan Sinclair (check out his insta sets @dimister_s) before getting straight down to business with performances, discussions, stories and debates, all facilitated by young people. It was by far the buzziest, most active Zoom event I’ve been to. The chat function was filled with conversations about ambitions for 2021, challenges we think we’ll face in achieving those ambitions, and messages of support, congratulations and encouragement for our young people.
The event ended with a call to action from Studio 3 Arts alum and now Poet In Residence, Dauda Ladejobi, who announced our new Young Poet Laureate competition (details of how to apply can be found here: https://www.studio3arts.org.uk/groundbreakers).
There was a palpable crackle of energy in the air at the event, despite the remoteness of the digital delivery, manifested in the conversations and sheer volume of people getting involved. It made me reflect on the idea that if the offer is right, people will come, and not just come, they’ll get stuck in. It also reinforced the notion that I’ve known for many years, that young people are the experts at being young people — they know what they want, and if given space, cultural confidence and resources to lead, they will always rise to the challenge. I’m really looking forward to how this project will develop in the coming weeks and months. We’re looking for collaborators — influences, networkers, door-openers, cheerleaders — we’d love to have you involved. Feel free to email me liza@studio3arts.org.uk and we can chat ambitions AND challenges.
Liza Vallance, Artistic Director, Studio 3 Arts
For more information about Groundbreakers, including how to offer your time as a Groundbreakers Mentor, email hello@studio3arts.org.uk or call 020 8594 7136
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