Community Work
ArtsConnect
Eastbourne College was delighted to host the showcase for ArtsConnect on 22 May at the Birley Centre.
ArtsConnect was a programme of arts courses for young adults with Learning Disabilities. The programme aimed to introduce young adults to a range of different arts experiences, making art a part of their day-to-day lives. It was commissioned by East Sussex County Council’s Adult and Social Care team and was funded by Sussex Learning Solutions, East Sussex Arts Partnership and Arts Award with support from De La Warr Pavilion, Eastbourne College and the Towner Gallery.
The course ran for ten weeks from February to May 2014 and the young people involved met at the College every Thursday and were given access to the Birley Centre recording facilities. Sessions were delivered by a lead artist working with an Arts Award adviser and project coordinator. Eastbourne College pupils volunteered.
Building on the success of the Arts Connect music course run at Eastbourne College as part of Arts Connect 2014, Culture Shift is supporting the emerging band Delta 7 to continue to meet and rehearse, go to gigs and perform. Eastbourne College is supporting the project by providing rehearsal space, recording facilities and technical support as needed. Sessions are facilitated by a music leader and the Arts Connect programme manager.
39 Steps production for St Wilfrid’s Hospice
As part of their Gold Arts Awards, two pupils worked collaboratively to produce and direct a production of “The Thirty Nine Steps” in order to raise money for St Wilfrid’s Hospice. While the college provided some excellent support from the staff, this comedy-thriller was truly a student production in all aspects.
The whole rollercoaster of a show was hugely entertaining, and the professionalism with which the team executed the project from start to finish surpassed the expectations of all. Much more importantly, in just three evening of collections, £890 pounds was for St Wilfrid’s.
Shared Spaces
The Blue Monkey Network Shared Space Residency for six artists was a new initiative for 2014, generously supported by Eastbourne College who contributed free use of their Casson Art School studio spaces for two weeks. The six Shared Space artists were able to put aside dedicated time to work alongside each other in the space to develop ideas and experiment with new work without the pressure of a pre-defined agenda or outcome. The two week residency ended with a celebratory open afternoon when the six artists displayed some of the work in progress.
Production of Chelsea’s choice for police and health professionals
This play, commissioned by East Sussex County Council aims to raise awareness of the signs of child sexual exploitation and abuse, give info about healthy relationships and provide direction on how to stay safe online. It will also give the pupils advice on what to do if they have concerns and will reinforce the messages given by pastoral systems and LLS programme.
Eastbourne College is hosting the project for police and community partners.