Our Big Picture is celebrating after securing support from Arts Council England to deliver an ambitious 15-month arts and cultural research project and programme of activities that will place children and young people aged 7 to 25 at the centre of efforts to shape the future of culture in North East Lincolnshire.
The project is built on a powerful belief: that young people should have a voice in shaping the cultural life of the places where they live.
This project represents a significant step forward in long-term investment for children and young people, built on a decade of Our Big Pictures’ creative work across the region. Through free creative opportunities, skills development, youth-led activities and youth boards, the project will explore what young people really want from culture in their local community and create a shared Vision for Culture for North East Lincolnshire.
This programme has been developed in direct response to conversations with local young people who consistently said they want more creative opportunities, chances to lead and be heard.
Delivered from Our Big Picture’s newly renovated and accessible arts and heritage hub in Grimsby town centre, children and young people will work alongside a growing team of artists and creative practitioners to co-create activities and participate in them, including traditional art skills, design and illustration, sculpture, digital arts, performance, and music. Our Big Picture is committed to increasing access to creative opportunities, and all activities will be free to attend.
This will be a safe space to explore new ideas, learn new skills, make mistakes and new friends. The project includes weekly creative sessions – Saturday art and after-school clubs, home-educated sessions, skills development workshops and outreach activities across North East Lincolnshire.
Our Big Picture believes that creativity can build confidence, develop skills, strengthen connections and create opportunities for people to influence the places where they live. As part of this project, Our Big Picture will continue to develop its youth boards, and through creative projects and research, participants will explore questions about culture, creativity, identity, place, and opportunity. The project is designed to be a journey of exploration, giving young people the freedom to help shape both the process and the outcomes. The aim is not to tell young people what culture should look like, but to create the space, support and opportunities for them to define it themselves.
Ruby, Our Big Pictures Youth Ambassador said: “I am honoured to be a part of the vision for culture in North East Lincolnshire, and help spotlight the voices and experiences of young people in the local area throughout plans for a brighter future”
Our Big Picture is excited to partner with North East Lincolnshire Children’s Services and North East Lincolnshire Music Hub, with further partnerships expected to develop throughout the project. Uniquely, children and young people themselves will help identify future partnerships, providing feedback on the organisations, opportunities and experiences they would like to see involved as the programme develops.
Paula Denton, CEO of Our Big Picture, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to have secured this support from Arts Council England and to be launching a project that places children and young people at the heart of shaping culture in North East Lincolnshire.
We trust young people. We believe they have valuable ideas and creativity, and this programme is about creating the time, space and opportunities for those voices to be heard.
For us, this is about much more than delivering activities. It is about working alongside children and young people to explore what they want culture to look like in the future, what opportunities they want to see available and how creativity can play a bigger role in their lives and communities.
This is an exciting time for Our Big Picture, our team of artists and creative practitioners, and most importantly, the young people who will help shape this journey.”
The support from Arts Council England has also enabled Our Big Picture to create two new job vacancies to help deliver the project. Further details and information on how to apply are available via the Our Big Picture website.
The project also builds on recent improvements to Our Big Picture’s Grade II-listed Bethlehem Street building, which has been transformed into a more accessible, welcoming, and flexible arts and heritage hub for the community. The improved facilities provide space for creative learning, exhibitions, workshops and community activity.
If you or someone you know would be interested in knowing more, please contact Jo Shaw, Children and Young People Programme Manager, on jo.shaw@ourbigpicture.co.uk
Our Big Picture is also inviting artists, creative practitioners, cultural organisations, education providers and training organisations interested in the programme to get in touch. Our Big Picture is particularly interested in hearing from people who can deliver engaging, skills-focused creative workshops and opportunities that will inspire children and young people and help them develop their creative potential.
Contact Our Big Picture on 07486 515 761, email obpteam@ourbigpicture.co.uk or visit www.ourbigpicture.co.uk.
