Kathy Coates-Mohammed & Stephanie Bartholet

As Directors of Shape North, they develop innovative programmes using arts, culture, heritage, and creativity to improve outcomes for children and young people. Working across schools, cultural organisations, local authorities, and communities, their initiatives include the Kirklees Year of Music learning programme and partnerships with museums, artists, and community organisations.

Shape North advocates for creativity's power to unlock potential and create opportunities for social change, recognised through an NSEAD award for Innovation in Arts Education in 2024.

shapenorth.co.uk

Stephanie Bartholet (L) & Kathy Coates-Mohammed (R)

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Making Space to be Heard: Amplifying Young People’s Voices through the Arts

This workshop will explore how creative and arts-based approaches can be used to engage children and young people meaningfully, enabling them to share their ideas, experiences, and aspirations in ways that feel accessible, enjoyable and empowering.

Open to all interested in empowering the young people they work with: primary and secondary age range.

Aims and outcomes:

• Consider why the arts are a powerful vehicle to encourage young people to open up and share their individual thoughts, ideas and opinions.
• Be inspired by Shape North’s current practice and projects which demonstrate effective ways to build participation and generate honest dialogue.
• The workshop will encourage participants to consider how creative methods can be embedded within their own practice to ensure that young people’s voices are truly heard.
• Leave with some practical ideas to encourage talk and open up dialogue through the arts with your young learners.

Materials required:

No preparation is necessary. Please bring paper and pens to the session.