Past progress

Children and young people to influence arts, heritage and culture.

The Past Is Now is a free residential course taking place from 27th–31st October at Ingestre Hall which will allow children and young people (aged 11–23 years) to have a say in arts, heritage and culture provision as well as being an amazing opportunity to work with nationally renowned, exciting artists and arts organisations to develop projects and activities for museums. The Past is Now is an Arts Connect West Midlands project managed by Work in Progress.

Young people taking part will visit historic venues in the region and then take inspiration from the artists involved to develop projects to be pitched to museums and arts organisations on the final day of the residential. If successful the participants ideas will be taken forward with the young people involved in a leadership capacity.

During the week long residential the participants will work together to create new work and develop their own personal practice whilst collaborating and learning from established artists including spoken word artist Shaun ‘Evoke’ Welch, Physical Theatre company Tangled Feet and sound and light artist Jony Easterby. Blast Theory, one of the UKs most adventurous artists groups in using interactive media will also come along to talk about their work. The young people will also have the opportunity to use professional facilities to record and practice their art, at a beautiful historic setting, and gain an insight into the personal practice of professional artists.

Ruth Richardson, Work in Progress said: “The young people who have signed up are all interested in and passionate about the arts and want to make museums more accessible and inviting, we are excited to see the projects they will develop over the week and look forward to influencing the future of arts, heritage and cultural provisions across the UK.”

Izzes Gayle, The Past Is Now participant added: “Being very new to what Work in Progress is about, and seeing the amazing things they’ve done in the time I’ve been aware of their work, I’m honoured to be a signed up to The Past Is Now and look forward to the experience. I cannot wait for the residential, and all the amazing things they have in store for that week!”

To find out more about the project visit www.artsconnectwm.co.uk/news.php?story=121