Promoting Art for Uist and Barra's Young people
As a result of a LEADER+ funded initiative, children in Uist and Barra are benefiting from a range of new challenging creative projects. The Children and Young People’s Programme which is managed from Taigh Chearsabhagh, a community arts & heritage centre in Lochmaddy, was established with the help of a grant of more than £15,000 from LEADER+. Over the past fifteen months the Programme has been working with schools and youth clubs in Uist and Barra on a range of innovative projects in which a range of media and new technologies are being employed. Exemplifying the approach being taken in the Programme is the Environmental Art Project in which photographs taken by youngsters in the landscape are edited, manipulated and prepared for exhibition using appropriate computer software. This project was tried out first during the Spring holidays of 2005 and the youngsters were advised and guided by an environmental specialist and an experienced visual artist. The fruits of this exhibition formed part of an exhibition held in the local airport and will be held at a future date at Taigh Chearsabhagh According to Arts Education Officer, Joan Robertson, this was a very successful exercise. “It encouraged the youngsters taking part to look at and evaluate familiar landscapes in new ways. They also learned useful photographic skills and had the thrill of seeing their completed work forming part of an exciting exhibition.” A second such project, planned for the Spring of 2006, is likely to involve the exploration photographically of unexplored islands in the Sound of Harris.
Another initiative has been to provide every Senior 1 pupil in Uist and Barra with a creative writing project. Poetry workshops took place for pupils in four senior schools in the area with those taking part being encouraged to write their own poems and then, using papermaking and bookbinding skills to be acquired through the Programme, they will make personal poetry books.
During Barra Activities week for children in Castlebay Community School, the Programme organises drama, arts and dance input. While the respective specialist tutors teachers are in Barra, they also visit several of the local primary schools.
Joan also attempted to establish an Arts Club in Sgoil Lionacleit, the secondary school for Uist and Benbecula. For a number of reasons this did not succeed as well as was expected but, undaunted, Joan is experimenting with the idea at a local youth club to see if it better succeeds there.
“The Programme is all about creativity, widening horizons and excitement for the children.” according to Joan Robertson. “It has made a lasting impression on the youngsters taking part and the quality of the work coming from them is heartening. But had it not been for the help we received from LEADER+ the Programme would not have been able to go ahead and a valuable opportunity would have been lost.”
Another example of the quality of work being produced by young people in the area comes though yet another of the Programme’s projects. This particular project encourages and develops groupwork at the local Fèisean or youth music festivals. A video of the young musicians involved and their music is planned and this should be an eloquent testament to the value and success of the Children and Young People’s Programme.
