It's been an interesting time for me lately, with multiple project lines and it seems, delivering training to arts award youth network leaders every month has its challenges. As in my last blog, back in July we had most of the team together for 3 days of training in Diss at Unit Twenty Three. In under 2 weeks we'll have training at Access to Music in Birmingham for those that couldn't join us, covering the key components in a day. And then we'll have almost everyone in one place for 2 days of planning and some more training at York Theatre Royal.
Some of these young leaders are doing their own Awards too, and they're getting a wide variety of experience, literally in different places. This is my topic for a short post now.
Why do you do Arts Award? How did you get to it? Were you already involved in the arts or have you chosen a course/activity because Arts Award was being offered?
Often people stick to one area of the arts, but of course at Gold level you are required to work with someone in another art form for unit 1 part A. But couldn't you take this further and maintain a broader experience whilst still specialising at Gold level?
You don't have to try and combine dance and music, photography and knitting. But you certainly could! No, im thinking that you make the most of the requirements for volunteering and attending events.
Especially over the summer, there seems to be activities galore - many generally free too. Its something I recently realised when talking to a new youth network leader that I focussed too much of my teenage years on theatre and technical - losing my musical side and certainly not developing much skill in visual or crafts. However she had simply got stuck in to volunteering with all sorts of activities and now has all sorts of skills - and importantly, a great understanding of the creative sector.
So can you challenge yourself to become a rounded creative practitioner, rather than an artist in one form? Is this a way forward or not? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts about this! Leave me a comment in the comments section, or you can tweet me too (@artsawardvoice).
Remember if you want me to cover a particular topic then also let me know.
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