We are celebrating our second nomination for the Children and Young People Now Awards in the Arts and Culture category. First nominated in 2017 for our popular Film Cuts Club, this time the national awards have recognised our whole youth programme, which includes working in local high schools and early years settings, out of school performing arts and holiday clubs where young people devise original material.
Sophie says “most of our young participants don’t have access to working in the arts elsewhere in their lives and some involved in our programmes have been with us for years. It’s outstanding to be able to watch them face challenges in their lives and grow as creative participants into young artists.”
In the last year we have worked with over 200 young people from Buxton, Chapel en le Frith, Bradwell, New Mills and Glossop. They have written stories and songs, made films, devised drama and dance and produced our 6th annual youth show, ‘Come Here, Stratosphere!’ which was performed at Glossop’s Victoria Hall in August. Participants have gained 34 Arts Award qualifications from entry level to level 2 and many older participants have gone on to choosing arts subjects post 16 and taking opportunities available in Manchester. For example, two members of the Film Cuts Club won places on the BFI Film Academy at Home in Manchester this autumn.
We are very proud of our nomination. It is fantastic that small charities like ours are considered alongside high profile household names and a nomination could be instrumental in winning future funding bids – which means more activity for young people in the High Peak!
High Peak Community Arts celebrated its 40th Anniversary this year and depends on support by a range of funders including the County and Borough councils, and by local people through the Friends of High Peak Community Arts. Anyone who wants to join the Friends or gift Friendship for Christmas can find details on www.highpeakarts.org.
The Youth Programme is supported largely by The National Foundation for Youth Music, Arts Council England, the Music Education Hub and the Bingham Trust amongst others.