Digital programme to inspire young people during school holidays

Cheshire East Council has been awarded £15,000 to support young people to develop creative skills.

It is part of the council’s Shift programme, which promotes digital arts and creative technology across the borough.

‘Crewe: Beyond Ultimate Reality’ is a programme funded by the Arts Council to engage young people aged 12-17 in critical thinking and creativity, through exploring interactive activities and workshops.

Working with creative arts organisation Re-Dock, the group of young people will design creative arts activities for children, which will be rolled out in holiday programmes throughout the year, culminating in a high-profile event in October. The activities will take place at Crewe Library, in the lifestyle centre.

‘Beyond Ultimate Reality’ is the next level of engagement, building on the past year of Shift’s digital activities. This is aimed at older children to build interest in the creative industries and digital sector of Cheshire East. The programme of activities will focus on creative thinking, working together as a group and introducing digital technologies, using a creative and critical method.

As well as attracting young people interested in developing creative and digital skills, the council is also seeking artists across all disciplines, who would like to gain more experience in this area, to get involved.

Bursaries are available to support up to four artists living in the borough, – at any stage of their career –to develop skills in delivering this type of project and to learn more about digital arts and delivering workshops.

Councillor Don Stockton, Cheshire East Council cabinet member with responsibility for cultural services, said: “This project provides an important opportunity for young people in Crewe to engage with some fantastic creative practitioners.

“The council’s Shift programme has partnered positively with Re-Dock before and I have every confidence that it will have the same success with this latest project.” 

Re-Dock will work with a dedicated group of young people to co-produce a big public event in October. Some of the ideas explored will be: the future of Crewe, asking young people to imagine their future, their place in it and to explore it in an artistic way.

The programme was inspired by Cheshire author Alan Garner’s novel Red Shift, which states that Crewe is the ‘ultimate reality’.

The launch of the event is on Monday 4 June from 4pm-5.30pm and the regular programme of weekly events will continue from Monday 11 June 4pm - 5.30pm on Mondays every week until 22 October.

The events take place at the library in Crewe Lifestyle Centre, Moss Square, Crewe, CW1 2BB.

If you would like to get involved, either as a young person or an artist, please contact Tom Appleby on 01270 375295 or visit:

http://www.shift-digital.co.uk/crewe-beyond-ultimate-reality-calling-youth-crewe/