26/10/06 - £1 Million Arts Project For Young Launched In Priory Vale

New £1 million arts project for Swindon young people launches 31 October 2006

Artsmad, the agency for children, young people and the arts in Swindon, has been successful in attracting £1 million funding from the Treasury 'Invest to Save Budget' to run an action research project in Priory Vale in Swindon.

Many families with children and young people are moving into Priory Vale.  As with any new housing scheme, it takes a long time for facilities to be developed.  The Artsmad project will provide activities for young people to get involved in and will help to prevent them getting bored and diverted into anti-social activities.  The project is experimenting with new ways to engage young people and the lessons learned will benefit children and young people all over Swindon.

This experimental project will begin by providing a state-of-the-art mobile media facility to deliver film and digital media projects all over the Priory Vale neighbourhood and throughout Swindon.  Run by Cre8 Studios' award winning outreach project, Mobile Media, this eye-catching Airstream vehicle will be used by young people to turn music and images into their own films, broadcasts and video games.

Operating from Isambard Community School, Artsmad will work with its partners:  Swindon Borough Council, Cre8 Studios, Mobile Media, Sixth Sense Theatre Company, Swindon Dance and the Swindon Music Service to deliver a three year programme of arts activities for children and young people in term times and holidays.  This innovative work will also generate a programme of training opportunities for teachers, youth leaders and artists and special support will be given to young people who want to train as artists and arts leaders of the future.

Artsmad will continue to serve the whole borough of Swindon with its usual programme of support, advice and guidance for schools, youth centres and artists.

Local young people have created a name and logo for the project which will be unveiled at a special launch event at Red Oaks School at 12.30pm on 31st October.  People attending the launch event will be able to see a preview of Sixth Sense Theatre Company's new play, a dance performance and a screening of local young people's film work.  If you would like to attend, please contact the Artsmad office on 07766 368395 to book your place.

Cllr Justin Tomlinson, "Through my role as Lead Member for Culture, Recreation & Leisure I have supported this scheme, as the benefits to local residents will be huge."