Council helps to fund second phase of cultural programme for youngsters
A programme that encourages young people to get involved in using culture and the arts to shape the places they live has been awarded funding to build on its success.
Established in 2019, Arun Inspires is a three-year cultural development programme focused on transforming the life chances of children and young people in the district.
It has delivered many successful high-quality cultural projects throughout Arun as well as allowing young people to have a say in what happens where they live.
Run by the youth arts charity Artswork, highlights of the programme have so far included a project working with schools, a local artist and Angmering Parish Council to create a piece of public art – the Sunflower Dog and Rainbow Bench.
The popular Littlehampton ‘Love Local Arts: High Street Family Events Programme’ that ran during the summer months last year was shortlisted by the National Campaign for the Arts for best Art Project in their ‘Hearts for the Arts’ awards.
The Arun Inspires programme was due to end in September, but the Housing and Wellbeing Committee at Arun District Council has now agreed £15,000 of grant funding towards delivering the first year of phase 2, with a commitment to explore further matched investment until 2026.
Cllr Jacky Pendleton, Deputy Leader of the Council and Chair of the Housing and Wellbeing Committee, praised the programme, particularly for the way in which Artswork has successfully weaved the arts into STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) to bring more creativity to technical subjects and create STEAM.
She added: “Feedback from those involved in this programme has been incredibly positive, young people are telling us how inspired they feel and how it has given them more pride in where they live.
“By building the potential and aspirations of these youngsters, we’re helping them to realise that the world is their oyster and encouraging them to seek out career goals they may not have considered before.
“So, we’re really pleased to support Arun Inspires on phase two of this journey and I’m looking forward to getting involved in all the upcoming projects.”
Louise Govier, Chief Executive of Artswork, said:
‘We’re delighted that Arun District Council is providing this funding so that the Arun Inspires programme can continue to provide high-quality creative programmes for local children and young people that also give them a chance to use their creativity to shape the places they live. Working together with local schools, artists, arts organisations and community groups, the success of the programme so far has illustrated the success, empowerment and sheer joy that arts and creativity can bring to communities.’
Artswork will be providing matched investment of £15,000 this year and is currently exploring with key stakeholders ways to resource the programme for a further three years beyond that.
Phase two of the programme will build on what is already in place and focus on four areas – culture-led town centre regeneration events, improving the mental health and wellbeing of young people, developing the local arts and education infrastructure and fostering partnerships to deliver youth-led public art.
Cllr Pendleton added: “These themes accord with our vision to improve the wellbeing of Arun and will champion culture and the arts in the areas of greatest deprivation.”