Is it true that the arts can be used to engage hard to reach young people? You know - excluded pupils, young mums, young people who are involved in anti social behaviour. The ones who attend those pupil referral units which are often written about by the press.
The following examples help to answer the question:
Marky and Billy, two young men with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties and a record of disruptive and criminal behaviours, are causing a stir in the town centre shopping arcade.
They are attracting interest, not by fighting or shoplifting, but by breakdancing -demonstrating moves they have been taught in a dance session.
"Girls can't use power tools!" Zara exclaims indignantly. She is a young parent whose strong opinions are a big influence on the group. The artist working with them privately expresses some anxiety but resolves to carry on with the plan.
The following week Zara is enthusiastically using a drill, a jigsaw and an electric sander to create a totem pole incorporating images of musical instruments.
The above are real life examples of the power of the arts, taken from "The Art of Engagement".
What is "The Art of Engagement"?
It's a darts' publication commissioned by The Gulbenkian Foundation and supported by both DMBC and Doncaster Drugs Strategy Unit. It's a guide to setting up and running successful arts based projects in pupil referral units. The words of wisdom, however, can easily be transferred to other settings. Written with both the voice of the arts practitioner (Bob Adams) and that of the academic (internationally recognised Linguistic Anthropologist Shirley Brice Heath), "The Art of Engagement" is a unique publication which was very well received at its May 2007 launch.
Its contents include information on different art forms, staff roles within sessions, modelling behaviour, use of language, positive responses to potentially negative situations, diamonds in the dust, behaviour management strategies and much more.
Where can I get a copy?
All pupil referral units in England will be receiving a copy (free of charge) in September 2007. Copies can then be bought by others directly from darts for £10 + p&p.