We are London
We are London is a youth-led arts project that bridges the gap between young Londoners from new communities, specifically refugees and asylum seekers, and young Londoners from more established communities. Young people use drama, dance, music, film making and photography to make new work that explores their ideas and concerns. Each year at least 10 young people from the project train in youth leadership. There are opportunities for some of the young people to progress onto apprenticeships at Ovalhouse.
The project offers:
- Inspiring and non-threatening arts processes, including those that are not language led, that enable young people to make sense of their life circumstances and the challenges of being young in London while building confidence as creative individuals
- Opportunities for participants to voice their concerns and express their ideas through creative processes and outcomes.
- Opportunities to build respect and understanding across cultural boundaries though working in a supportive environment and towards a common creative purpose.
- Creative ways of building new social networks between young people in similar circumstances and young people from a range of communities/target groups.
- Using the arts to explore concepts of identity and diversity.
- Valuable opportunities for young people to take on leadership roles, influence the development of the project while building experience and transferrable skills.
- Training in peer and partnership advocacy and opportunities to experiment with arts leadership.
- Volunteering in leadership roles.
- Career support and advice on progression routes.
- An enjoyable and uplifting experience that contrasts with the complications and challenges of daily life.
- Opportunities for young people to receive formal accreditation for their work at Ovalhouse through Arts Award (level 1 and 2 qualifications).
- Opportunities to share their achievements with others.
Additional information
Supported by The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, Arts Council England, City Bridge Trust