Young people aged 16-25 from across Southampton have been recruited to the project as Cultural Connectors: a dynamic creative research traineeship and cultural leadership programme.
The Cultural Connectors have started to explore the cultural
activity of children and young people in Southampton!
Meet the Cultural Connectors:
I’m a sixth form student and Design has always been my main passion. I’m also interested in journalism and love cooking and upcycling. Coming from a South-East Asian background, I believe everyone should celebrate and take pride in their identity so my ambition as a Cultural Connector is to represent, unite and empower Southampton’s diverse community.
My unpopular opinion is that rainy weather is elite.
I work as a BIPC Business Engagement and Marketing Manager at Southampton City Council. I’m a University of Southampton Law (LLB) graduate and I’m also a piano player/keyboardist, animator, artist and basketball player. I want this project to have a long-lasting impact on Southampton’s culture and cement this city’s global relevance.
My unpopular opinion is that Monday is the best day of the week!
I’m a programmer working at a start-up in Southampton’s city centre. I’ve always loved creative computer science and how it can help us see the world in new and exciting ways. I joined the Cultural Connectors as I would love to make the Cultural Quarter a more vibrant and even more inspiring place, and help evolve the way that my art can interact with people from that!
My unpopular opinion is that Friends is overrated.
My ambition is to set up more social and mental well-being projects for young people and also create a larger platform for young writers/artists.
My unpopular opinion is that Rihanna is ugly.
I’m a chef and I have joined cultural connectors to expand my knowledge in art and progress it through the city. I would like to learn more about local culture in my own city and also find out about what’s happening in other areas.
My unpopular opinion is that pickles and peanut butter are a good sandwich combination.
I’m a student at the University of Southampton. My aim as a Cultural Connector is to share my appreciation for the arts by making it more accessible to young people in the city as well as developing my own creative and interpersonal skills.
My unpopular opinion is that pineapple definitely belongs on pizza and goes best with mushrooms rather than ham.
The Cultural Connectors are working with the research team to:
- Co-design and undertake research into the activity of children and young people in the city
- Develop a Young People’s Manifesto and Map
- Co-develop and deliver a communications strategy and plan focused on children and young people
- Co-create commissions and programme public events with our Consortium partners
To support their creative traineeship, the Cultural Connectors are undertaking training. This includes evaluation, Arts Award Advisor (Discover & Explore) training, workshop facilitation, creative programming and event management. Their traineeships are underpinned by the Arts Award programme and participants are working towards achieving their Gold Arts Award.
The Cultural Connectors will be involved in inter-regional peer-exchanges, visits, and dialogues with other young people’s initiatives. Where possible, we are working with other young artists to deliver training to the Cultural Connectors, acting as role-models and inspiring youth leadership within the group.