The talented Skills Exchange Young People’s cohort of nine 16-29 year olds had a busy but creatively productive week in the last week of March as part of their third and final week-long “Intensive”.
Working collaboratively in small groups they were tasked with creating bold and eye-catching, high quality artistic commissions for the outside and inside of Creative Crawley’s new West Green Makerspace. The brief they received drew out the themes of ‘growth’ and ‘action’ that were used to inspire the design of the West Green Makerspace.
The cohort also received training from award-winning production company working with Autistic, Neurodivergent and Learning Disabled talent, ‘Access All Areas’. They learnt more about Careers in Access and Neurodiversity and Relaxed Performances- they also received top tips on making each of their commissioned projects more accessible which led to adjustments to their approaches.
Artists Sarah Maple and Megan Moseley also joined the group to share their practice and tips for working collaboratively. They also supported the group to elevate their ideas. Look out for them showing their new work ‘Breakfast Scene’ in our County Mall space from 12-22 June. More info is available HERE
The cohort’s unique artistic installations were unveiled before and during Brigitte Aphrodite and Quiet Boy’s show Living Legends on Sat 5 April.
Manuela Raimondo, one of the young people on the cohort says:
“I think being a part of this programme so far renewed me as an artist, and brought me new hope as to what our creativity holds for the future. It has shown me the importance of this industry as well as all the work that goes into it… It is an experience for life!”
You can also see their creative installations until the end of April 2025 whenever there is a public event on in the West Green Makerspace at:
1 Town Barn, Road, Crawley R11 7XG
OR at on of our open days on Weds 14 May or Thurs 12 June 12pm-2pm, 3:30pm-5pm OR 6pm-8pm. If you’d like to attend please RSVP to [email protected]
More information about the Skills Exchange cohort’s individual projects and further images of their are available HERE
Thanks to our funders Arts Council England, Crawley Borough Council’s Shared Prosperity Fund, Sussex Community Foundation and Gatwick Airport Ltd.
The young people’s time spent on the programme is paid, making it fully financially accessible. You can read more about the full programme HERE
