Creative Young Neighbourhoods

_{Pictured left to right: Participants in Shandon Studios ceramics workshops and Foróige Mahon Youth Group filming with Frameworks Films photographed www.soundofphotography.ie 2022. Bishopstown Foróige Youth Group at Triskel Arts Centre photographed by Darragh Kane 2022.}

In 2023, Creative Young Neighbourhoods Awards of up to €2000 were available to fund creative activities for youth groups aged 10+, partnered with professional creatives.

Creative Young Neighbourhoods iss an initiative of Cork City Council supported by Creative Ireland, that advocated the voice of young people by supporting members of youth groups to play an active role in their creative experiences.  An aim of the Creative Young Neighbourhoods scheme was to build on the annual occasion of Cruinniú na nÓg, to inform policy and practice in the area of youth creativity throughout the year.

Four Creative Young Neighbourhoods projects were awarded funding in 2023:

•  Natural Connections 

  Gleann a’ Phúca led by artist Julie Forrester ran youth cafe workshops for Traveller girls using natural elements found in Glen River Park. Through interactive discussions and playful experimentation with natural inks and playdough, the girls actively contributed their ideas for session activities. Together, they formulated a creative plan centred around ongoing engagement with natural materials, encompassing sculpture-making, painting, and drawing. The project also planned for park exploration, photography, and continued participation in Youth Café sessions throughout the duration of 2023-24.

• Teen Lens Project 

  Facilitated through a series of collaborative meetings, this project brought together creatives, youth workers, and homeless young people from Edel House and Radclyffe House to foster mutual understanding, explore creative possibilities, and generate ideas. Emphasising active participation, the young participants played integral roles in project development, including filming, acting, and editing. Basic training in camera operation, sound recording, and editing techniques was provided hands-on. The film made by young people involved in this project will be shown at Triskel Arts Centre as part of Cruinniú na nÓg 2024.

• Rights of Nature Dance Project 

  This project brought together young dancers aged 12 to 17 from New Moon Youth Dance Company who have an active interest in The Rights of Nature, to collaborate with children living in disadvantaged areas. Young people involved were encouraged to delve into the topic of The Rights of Nature, come up with questions, negotiate, problem solve, and devise self-directed choreographic responses. New Moon Youth Dancers explored community gardens in the city, sharing their dance with local children and facilitating workshops guided by the interests of the children. Participants collectively developed creative reactions, explore soundscapes, and prepared for performances in green spaces. Through this collaboration, the project aims to empower youth while providing children in disadvantaged communities with an opportunity to explore dance as a creative outlet.

• The Balcony Project 

  Shandon Art Studio artists collaborate with young Ukrainians, along with their parents, in weekly pottery workshops. These sessions provide a vital outlet for the children, offering them a regular escape from the confines of their emergency accommodation to immerse themselves in the vibrant and creative atmosphere of Shandon Art Studio. The studio's colourful and comfortable environment fosters not only artistic expression but also social interaction, contributing to the overall well-being of participants. These weekly workshops serve as a platform for sharing life experiences, dreams, and expectations, with the project's concept evolving from these heartfelt conversations.