This Summer Quench is running a Summer kids programme. We are inviting 10-15 young people to study with us two full days a week for the 5 weeks of the Summer Break. The programme is aimed towards ages 11+ with an strong interest in art and is designed to be as accessible as possible. Quench will cover all costs including materials, travel, breakfast and lunch on these days as well as trips to galleries and individual kit for the students to continue making art beyond the summer. The programme lead is Gemma who has a youth work background and is a trained Arts Award advisor and all participants will build a portfolio for Bronze or Silver Arts Award during the 5 weeks. We will assess and submit the portfolios at the end of the summer.

What we'll deliver:

• Five week Summer Holiday programme
• Five high profile visiting artists running workshops
• Two visits to cultural institutions with the participants
• Breakfast and lunch provided from local independent businesses
• An introduction to printmaking, painting, drawing techniques not taught in schools
• All materials provided including personal supplies for each participant
• Arts Award certificates and mentoring
• Additional workshops for children and families if we raise over our target

Why it's a great idea:

There have been drastic cuts to arts education in schools in recent years and we think the knock on effect of these cuts will be devastating long term. We have designed a full programme that includes inviting well known artists to run workshops and introduce techniques normally taught at university level. The summer school will be run by trained youth workers and each student would be put forward for the Bronze Arts Award at the end of the summer, a nationally recognised course. In 2023 we would like to continue our commitment to catering to a wide range of needs for our local community and help to increase access to art forms that would otherwise be less available locally. We will do this by continuing our youth outreach programme in collaboration with local youth clubs and youth organisations to ensure our workshops are catering to those most in need in our community.

Steps to get it done:

• Advertise the programme through local news sources and to youth centres and schools
• Assess submitted portfolio applications
• Meet with young people and their care givers before choosing participants
• We will create deeper connections with our community
• Create a full programme including visiting artists and trips to cultural institutions
• Provide all materials
• Provide healthy meals for all participants
• Make sure the summer programme is accessible to all with no barriers to entry
• Submit work created during the summer for Arts Award assessment
• Deliver Arts Award certificates to all course participants

How to apply? We are asking that young people submit images of their work and a short introduction to themselves to the gallery by June 27th. We particularly welcome applications from young people from groups under represented in the arts. We ask that all applicants are from Thanet and surrounding areas. We will begin accepting applications on May 2nd and make final decisions on June 20th. Applications will be a simple form via email. If you have accessibility concerns we can arrange applications by post or drop off to the gallery. You may be required to have a short phone call or attend a meeting (young person and their parent/career) at the gallery during this time, to be arranged at your convenience. Successful applicants will be invited to Quench on Monday and Tuesday between 24th July and 31st August. We ask that applicants are able to attend 90% of sessions and that booked holiday dates are shared in advance. Each day will start at 9am with breakfast and run til 4pm.