Where The Bees Fly - Youth Arts Project

The environment

Our entire project was themed around the impact that we can make when we come together to raise awareness & pledge to take individual & corporate action to solve the issue of climate change.

Volunteering, jobs & education

The project has provided young people in the area with hands on experience of planning and delivering their own events, through which they have developed confidence & key skills. These skills in themselves will be transferable to further education & employment. RicNic is also working with key partners locally to identify additional pathways for volunteering and employment that the young people can be signposted to. We offered training in performance across all our primary & secondary school workshops, training in event management for our young producers & training in professional theatre production for our Bees cast. Training hours: 46 hours across OTS & Engage workshops. 40 hours for Young Producers 80 hours for Show Cast Quotes from our Primary School workshops: Parent: "I am just so proud of them. They are a real credit to us & to their school." Teacher: "The class had such a great time with Jess. The classroom has been buzzing since she left." Student: "It was amazing." Quotes from the Bees Cast: "My first ever time singing on stage - my confidence & general ability in acting & creativity has been reinvigorated." Nick "Thank you for believing in me. I will never forget this experience." Zoe "This has been one of the most amazing experiences I've had to date." MJ "Thank you so much to the people who gave me encouragement to sing my solo as this was the first time I have ever sang a solo onstage. Just, thank you for giving me such an unforgettable moment!" Summer Engage session feedback: "I have learned what goes into event planning, and I feel more confident in sharing my ideas with new people.” Teacher quote: "The Own the Stage workshops have allowed the children to explore and gain vital life skills such as communication, script writing, performing to an audience and encouraging group work which has allowed a lot of the children to grow in confidence and experience performance through the arts.” Our monitoring forms filled out by 25 young people aged 16-25 over the course of the project recorded that at the start of the project less than 50% of those involved engaged regularly in performing/acting, singing/playing an instrument, & less than 5% engaged regularly in art. At the end of project, every single one of those young people had either conceptualised & delivered an art event for the community, and/or had taken part in the staging of a brand new musical. Young Person quotes when asked 'how have you learned, grown or developed from taking part in this project?:' "My knowledge of the arts has expanded." "I have learnt a new skill in sound design including looking after microphones, a Comms system and a sound board and amp.”

Arts, culture & heritage

This project has offered a range of new opportunities for local residents to enjoy the arts and develop their creative skills. Through Community Art Days and Oral History projects developed & delivered by the young producers, the project has offered many local families and individuals the chance to participate in the arts at spaces that are local and accessible to them. With the project running in connected phases, participants have been able to see how their creative contributions add to the wider project and have been able to engage with the work at different stages, both as participants and audience members. The project has tied together work in local schools & with individual children & young people in the area. Our show cast will be funded by RicNic into 2024 to form a production team for a show of their choice next summer. They will be given the opportunity to direct, produce, market & cast a show company from amongst their peers. The show opportunity will be offered for free at the point of contact for every young person who wants to take part. Feedback from our Community Art Event in Willenhall Memorial Park: “Great event. So many different activities to keep the children entertained whilst learning about the important facts about climate change. I came away with my actions and pledges that I have made to do my bit to improve the environment. All staff were super friendly and helpful.” “An amazing event. Hope you do more of them in the holidays” “Loved it! And so did my kids.” “So pleased to see young people caring about our planet and being active in doing something.”

Activity, health and leisure

All phases of this project were aimed at encouraging local people - particularly young people - to get out of their houses, collaborate with others and have fun! The Community Art Days encouraged local residents to spend time exploring nature and visiting their local green spaces, participating in arts activities but also enjoying the natural surroundings which is proved to ease climate anxiety. The Bees show provided its participants with intensive rehearsal periods, with performers gaining exercise through movement on stage as well as developing their emotional and mental health through working with peers towards a shared goal. Those involved in developing the technical aspects of the project gained exercise through building and painting sets, setting up the venue & the final show provided an affordable evening out for local residents. Feedback from audience members: "Unique story with an important message. Cast were amazing." "The exhibition and show linked really well. The show was both amazing and thought provoking." "So lovely to see young people engaged with the environment!" "It's a very emotive subject. I thought the cast put it across very well. Catchy tunes along with intelligent lyrics. Very passionate." "It was nice to see a local project with getting everyone involved. Everything was planned so well and it was really enjoyable to watch and was a great play with an important message." "Amazing art work. Great community involvement and lots of climate messages." "The acting was amazing, especially with the lights. The emotions were great - from happy to sad." "A joyous occasion and very engaging with the audience." "Amazing cast, crew and all involved. Really helps our young people of today and that is what is needed."