Artswork project

 

The Artswork project based at Cumbernauld Theatre focuses on exploiting arts and other creative industry practices to connect young people with skills and abilities that allow them to develop as individuals, raise their expectations and ambitions and support greater communication with the world of work and their community.

It wasn't until Simon Sharkey attended a reunion of Bellarmine Secondary pupils in Glasgow that he discovered that the considerable amount of music, drama and art that he and his peers had been exposed to at the school during the 1970s had been something of an experiment.

Like Simon Sharkey, many of his peer group from that era at Bellarmine, including singer Eddie Reader, went on to study and then work in the arts. His experience at school and later work at pioneering community arts centres in the UK have convinced him of the value of the arts as a tool for growth and fulfilment. 'You cannot learn without being creative' he says 'and you cannot be creative without learning.'

Artistic director at Cumbernauld Theatre for the past 11 years, Simon has been responsible for a series of highly successful projects aimed at getting young people actively involved in the world of theatre. In the mid 1990s, he began work on his most ambitious project to date - a scheme which would embrace all the arts and would help teenagers cope more successfully with the difficult transition from school into work.

Artswork is now in its fifth year and has won a number of awards for its innovation and effectiveness. Simon explains: 'Scottish Power Learning which is the training and learning arm of Scottish Power, and Careers Scotland became involved and, because it would benefit all of us, we designed a programme together, aimed at connecting young people to the world of work by helping them create and take part in a multi-media event.'

The project helps to 'shape the perceptions and abilities of the young participants in a positive and inclusive way, enabling them to express themselves and empowering them to realise their full potential, whilst becoming skilled in practices that employers are seeking.'

Simon explains: 'We piloted the scheme and then went to the Scottish Cultural Enterprise Trust for an evaluation of the methodology - which was very successful. They concluded that in the participating groups, Artswork reduced truancy and raised attainment in a meaningful way.'

Now in its fifth year and continuing to be funded by Scottish Power Learning, Artswork isn't a project for fainthearted schools. Although teachers are not required to take part in the day-to-day running of a programme – 'There are a lot of demands on teachers already' Simon points out 'so I’m realistic about the amount of involvement that can be expected' - they must be there in a supportive role and be prepared to give the scheme their full backing. Timetabling and space for rehearsals and practical work needs to be fixed and adhered to. Typically, an Artswork project lasts for around 20 weeks, starting in August and ending with a full-scale, multi-media show the following March when participants receive a certificate of completion and a CD-ROM of the work that has been done.

The school chooses a group of 20 to 25 of its fourth year pupils to take part and they meet one afternoon a week at the school with a core of three or four Artswork staff, all of whom have one or more arts specialisms. These will include music, drama, movement; video and computer expertise; costume, make up and stage design with, from time to time, breakdancing, graffiti art and magic stirred into the mix.

Simon explains: 'Each Artswork project is delivered through a medium I call 'Theatre of Opportunity' and follows a theme that is chosen annually. This year, the focus is on mythology, diversity and multiculturalism and how people connect through culture. Three secondary schools are normally involved in every project, giving a total of around 60 kids, each working with a core of Artswork professionals, to produce individual but related outcomes.

The performances, one for schools, another for friends and family, are given on the same day at a prestige venue in Glasgow. Last year, for instance, the performances took place at the Science Centre. This year, Artswork will be at the Tall Ship with final rehearsals taking place there over a two day period. Schools that have expressed an interest in taking part in an Artswork project are invited to a performance and can then ‘bid’ for inclusion the following year.

Eastbank Academy, a school with 1300 pupils located in the East End of Glasgow, are taking part this year for the third time. The teacher in charge of the project there is Jim Campbell, head of pastoral care. He wanted the school to become involved in Artswork because it fit in with work he had already begun doing at Eastbank. 

Meeting some of the Eastbank pupils who have been involved in the current Artswork project, it’s hard to believe they may have had problems with confidence and self-esteem. They seem a remarkably self-assured bunch and are clearly enjoying the experience. As a result of their involvement, several have decided to stay on at school next year and say they want to pursue further education in an arts subject once they do leave.

Although Artswork will continue to work with individual schools for the foreseeable future, Simon Sharkey wants to concentrate his energies, not on expanding the present service but on 'spreading the methodology' so that local authorities throughout Scotland can work with schools and arts organisations to run their own Artswork projects. To that end, he has been developing an Artswork toolkit which will ultimately be available on a web site, as a CD-ROM and in book form.

Simon has been appointed the associate director - education for the National Theatre of Scotland. He took up his post in mid April and hopes to continue development of the work in his new capacity

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