PAST EXHIBITION:
EMULATE
- AN EXHIBITION BY WESTMINSTER ACCOMMODATION AND LEAVING CARE TEAM (WALC)
In our experience young people who get involved in projects like this mature and develop a great deal as they learn new skills and how to succeed in life.
Each student receives 1:1 photographic training in order to complete a piece of art work and exhibit in a gallery. Along the way, they develop communication skills, self esteem and motivation and learn to work as part of a team.
Most young people at WALC exist on very little money. Therefore, to enable this project to happen we needed the support of outside agencies and charities. This was provided by Chelsea College of Art, who gave support in the form of studio space in the summer and Young at Arts, a charity which supports widening participation in the arts to disadvantaged groups. Funding was provided by Young at Art and Hyde Park Place Estates charities as well as the WALC team. The funding enabled us to buy art materials, and provide travel expenses and lunches for the participants. Funding also paid for the printing and exhibition of the work and Land Securities donated SW1 Gallery for two weeks to host the exhibition.
I anticipate some of the work will also be exhibited at Tate Britain at our annual young people’s conference in February 2008.
This project followed similar arts based projects led by Peter Hamilton, Senior Project Worker WALC Team and Owen Green. Previous projects have taken place with Central St Martins College of Art and Design, and Tate Britain as well as Westminster Photoworks.