Art huBs for youTh

Background The immigration crisis identified at the outset of the project has continued to be a matter of growing concern, with many worrying incidents of clashes between locals and refugee and asylum seekers, accompanied by negative political discourse and press coverage. We continue to witness events of violence involving migrants and refugees that can evolve into more dangerous phenomena. The dangers of radicalisation and extremism are ongoing and young people, with migrant backgrounds and otherwise marginalised, can easily fall out of society and be an easy target for radicalisation. We aimed to explore the ways culture and the arts can help to bring individuals and peoples together, increase their participation in cultural and societal life, as well as to promote intercultural dialogue and cultural diversity. The arts, though often underutilised and unacknowledged, can positively transform and benefit communities in such areas as youth development and education, health and wellness and neighbourhood vitality. Culture and creative work must be recognised as key contributors to economic growth and a powerful messenger on all sustainability issues. Objectives The objectives, in line with the original bid, were to: - Help new arrivals learn about and make European values their own. - Encourage intercultural dialogue. - Build mutual understanding between new arrivals and the receiving communities. - Support professional development of youth workers and trainers to cope better with intercultural problems, racism, xenophobia, social fears of youth learners, particularly based on the recent immigration crisis and refugees in EU through sharing experience, art and Art Hubs. - Promote active participation of youth in their community, with a focus on youth at risk of marginalisation because of their cultural, social and economic obstacles. We extended the scope of the project to include other marginalised youth groups such as those with mental health issues or those made homeless. In part this was because one partner (SMOC) has a very transient refugee population (who typically are en route to, e.g., Germany or Austria) that is hard to engage with for long projects. The broader approach was, with only small adaptations, applicable to a wider range of groups. We felt that this was a considerable enhancement of the original aims. Implementation All partner organisations made an equal contribution to each phase of the project. PREPARATION Upon the project’s approval UOG (as lead) asked each partner to form a project team consisting of 2 project coordinators, as well as other preparatory activities. IMPLEMENTATION All partners focused on researching the key themes of the project. UoG devised a research plan and all partners implemented this. A report of the findings was written and published on the ArtHubs website. Output 1: Drawing on the report, all partners contributed to the development of training material for art teachers and relevant professionals to deliver inclusive art lessons and activities. Led by UOG. Output 3: A virtual exhibition platform was developed and an open call produced an exhibition of art from young displaced people from across Europe. Led by KMOP/Artit Within the project 3 physical transnational meetings took place. DISSEMINATION Multiplier Events/Local Activities/International Activity: The partners staged 4 national multiplier events (UK, Greece, Cyprus, Bosnia Herzegovina). After the implementation of the local activities the project held an online meeting to evaluate the project’s course, local activities outcome and impact. Achievements A research report drawing on focus groups and interviews carried out with artists and workers in each of the partner countries, delineating the issues, benefits, and practicalities of using arts projects with marginalised and displaced youth groups, published on the ArtHubs website. Training materials for art teachers and relevant youth work professionals to deliver inclusive lessons and activities. 10 modules in different aspects of photography, art, and social media, aimed at workers with marginalised youth groups, have been published. These give a comprehensive range of materials, activities, and sources, including practical knowledge and understanding of key ethical and safeguarding issues. They have been translated into Bosnian and Greek and are now freely available online. These also include short promotional videos, and a YouTube channel with interviews with working photographers talking about how they use photography to address a range of issues. A virtual exhibition of artwork in different 2D media by displaced young people that is promoting intercultural dialogue transnationally. Each of these concrete outcomes has the potential to lead to the future promotion of the project’s longer term aims.