creative consultation – Connecting Culture

Reflections from Paige Michel-Strachan on her role as Digital Marketing and Project Assistant

By Paige Michel Strachan

Hey everyone! It’s me again. My temporary role as Digital Marketing and Project Assistant with the Arts at University of Southampton team has unfortunately come to an end (how time flies when you’re having fun!). A sad but simultaneously sweet occasion. I have thoroughly enjoyed doing communications for the Connecting Culture project and Southampton Cultural Educational Partnership (SCEP). Promoting access to arts and creativity for children and young people in Southampton has been an invaluable opportunity that has helped me grow personally and professionally.

The reason I loved doing this role is because it encompasses all the 5 C’s – communications, content, creativity, community and culture!

Ambitious programme of creative workshops for 1000 young people begins

Workshop pack designed by artist Faye Phillips

The Connecting Culture research project, led by University of Southampton, has launched its ambitious ‘Creative Consultation’ programme of artist-led creative workshops for children and young people in Southampton.

Following delays caused by Covid-19, the first workshops took place at Polygon and Bitterne Park Primary schools in the first week of May, and ultimately around 1000 children and young people from across the city are set to take part.

Introducing Sarah Girling, Creative Consultation Coordinator

Meet Sarah Girling, Creative Consultation Coordinator for the Connecting Culture project. Sarah is a freelance Cultural Education Consultant, working with schools, arts organisations and artists, a job she thoroughly enjoys.

Interviewing the Connecting Culture Artist Facilitators #2: Faye Phillips

In the second of our interview series, in which we’re getting to know the artists who will be facilitating our Creative Consultation workshops, we meet Faye Phillips, visual artist and educator.

Paige, Digital Marketing and Project Assistant, caught up with Faye and quizzed her on the big questions about creativity and art, as well as her plans for her Connecting Culture workshops.

Interviewing the Connecting Culture Artist Facilitators #1: Natalie Watson

In order to get to know the Artist Facilitators that will be running our Creative Consultation workshops, we have interviewed each of them to gain an insight into their practice, their roles in the Connecting Culture project and to hear their advice for aspiring young creatives.

First up we have Natalie Watson, contemporary dance artist, who works collaboratively with a variety of arts organisations to create accessible dance for all. We hope you enjoy the video!

Artist Facilitators announced for Creative Consultation

Children and young people from across Southampton are at the heart of ‘Connecting Culture’, a ground-breaking project focused on addressing the question of how the city’s thriving Cultural Quarter can enrich the lives of those aged five to 25.

The project begins with an Artist-led ‘Creative Consultation’ with over 350 participants that will provide an insight into each participant’s individual experience of culture and collectively, it will form a picture for Southampton of how children and young people would like to engage in creative activity across the city.