A Star is Born: empowering creative arts talents through competitions and with online tools

Our project has been one of the key solutions for 21st century challenges. Youth unemployment was already and during the coming up economic crisis will increase as a challenge in the whole Europe ...

One of the main focuses have been to empower creative art students with high levels of skills that are needed to achieve high results not only at the national level, but international one as well. Combination of key elements was covered within our project: Talent development+Creativity+Digital skills The main project objectives were achieved: - increased motivation students to be active in learning process, equipped them with skill sets to help them to be successful in their future jobs, to become responsible citizens & attractive for international labour market - empowered talented creative art students no matter their background - increased students digital skills - enhanced knowledge & expertise of teachers - enforced creative & critical thinking among participants & we have promoted fair competition - motivated students to take responsibility of their learning & self-evaluating - supported creation of international competitions for hairdressers Project has greatly supported Erasmus+ programme objectives for VET schools in a way to help realise the full potential of teachers & students by the use of new ways of learning, technology & digital tools. Creation of competitions contributed to skills development agendas in Europe.

Main activities were implemented: - 2 Transnational partner meetings within 2-year project duration (Czechia, Slovenia) - 1 Staff trainings was organised: for creative art teachers (Czechia) - 4 international creative art students (64) competitions (Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia, Czechia) - 1 IOs developed: Teacher’s Guide to share gained knowledge on preparation students for competitions and useful tips in using digital tools for creative art students (e.g. prerparation of digital porfolios) - A network of VET schools with hairdressing / make-up artist / dressmaking / styling were created Various dissemination activities (online/offline) that were focused on raising awareness of project outcomes and overall call for collaboration in similar areas (e.g. international creative art students competitions).

IO1 – A Teachers’ Guide “A Star is Born” was developed that is targeting to share shared and gained knowledge during the project implementation. Main aspects include how to prepare students for the competitions, how to support them, what are the digital solutions in supporting creative art students to be competitive in labour market (preparation digital portfolios), what are the tools that are used in teaching creative art students, etc. This guide also include brief review of experimented international competitions moments and descriptions as inspiration. - 12 trained teachers improved personal and professional competence - 4 blended mobilities – international competitions - were organised for students from creative art study programmes (hairdressing, beauticians, dressmaking, stylists). As each partner (4) organisations gained experience in organising these type of mobilities and competitions - 64 students (17-26 years old) have increased their personal and professional skills - 24 students took part from disadvantaged background - 4 VET schools have improved their quality of education for creative art students - 4 videos from each learners´ exchanges were created to inspire peers to make a step and become their own level stars in labour market - Students´ created materials (creative projects – mostly whole image on the topic, professional digital portfolios, articles) - Teachers and VET schools increased their capacity and knowledge how to organize international competitions for creative art students (e.g. hairdressers) and support students` skills development Social media posts, videos from mobilities supported the visibility of actions. During the implementation we have created a strong connection among creative art teachers (mainly hairdressing, make-up artists, stylists) who has already during the implementation have discussed on further common initiatives (participation in annual FOMB competitions in Slovenia, invitations as experts to share know how, etc.). For several schools it was the first Erasmus+ KA2 projects and this inspired them to join other project proposals or even initiate their own. In addition, each school increased their visibility among social and business partners locally, regionally and nationally. The recognition brought additional benefits. After sharing their experience more teachers and students in creative art programmes became more confident to take part in international programmes (mobility, locally, etc.). After the project we see great potential, need and interest among our consortium members and beyond to continue cooperation and creating opportunities for creative art teachers and students develop professionally.