The idea
Burnley Youth Theatre’s Arts Connect programme will provide children and young people aged 5-18 with disabilities and learning difficulties with access to a variety of drama based activities in over 60 workshops.
In three 10 week blocks, up to 40 children and young people will experience the transformative benefit of arts activities in an inclusive and welcoming environment supported by experienced SEND workshop leaders.
Each 10 week block of activities will feature one masterclass for each group delivered by a specialist tutor. Participants will be able to choose which specialism they'd like to experience such as circus, puppetry, spoken word or dance.
At the end of each 10 week block, participants will celebrate their new skills by sharing them in showcase performances for friends and family in our theatre. These young people will help devise their shows by creating stories and characters, improvising dialogue and designing sound and lighting.
What we'll deliver
- 24 drama led workshops for ages 5-11
- 3 masterclass arts sessions for ages 5-11
- 3 showcase performance events for ages 5-11
- 24 drama led workshops for ages 12-18
- 3 masterclass arts sessions for ages 12-18
- 3 showcase performance events for ages 12-18
Why it's a great idea
Through participation in the Arts Connect programme, children and young people with disabilities and learning difficulties will:
- Access the arts - experience how transformative regular access to creativity can be
- Develop social skills – make friends, work in groups, chance to communicate ideas
- Build confidence – try new activities, be creative, perform in showcases
- Learn new skills – drama, music, dance, puppetry, circus, or spoken word
- Experience celebration and recognition – showcase their work to family and friends
- Enjoy a sense of belonging – feel valued, included and supported in an accessible arts environment
The inspiration for our Arts Connect programme comes from the feedback we’ve received from participants with disabilities and learning difficulties and their parents / carers who have seen the transformative benefits from our SEND workshops and voice how arts and culture activities like this aren't regularly available or tailored to their needs.
Steps to get it done
- Finalise delivery plan with BYT specialist workshop leaders
- Develop evaluation plan & materials with workshop leaders
- Create marketing materials
- Recruit participants
- Publicise workshops on BYT site and social media platforms
- Target relevant support groups and special schools for recruitment
- Consult with parents on health & wellbeing concerns
- Begin workshop sessions
- Gather feedback from participants- start of project
- Consult with participants to decide masterclass activities
- Secure masterclass practitioners
- Develop showcase creative themes with participants
- Create marketing materials and ticketing for showcase events
- Stage showcase events
- Gather feedback from participants -end of project
- Gather feedback from parents- end of project
