Our Place in the World:

The Our Place in the World: Cultural & Creative Education Programme was a two-year initiative funded by Curious Minds via their Partnership Investment fund and Lancaster University.

Led by Lancashire Youth Challenge and the Culture Co-op the programme aimed to reach over 150 young people aged 13-19 (up to 25 for those requiring additional support) from working class backgrounds, by engaging them in high quality arts and cultural activities.

During the recent period of global uncertainty, the initiative focussed the Co-op’s collective energy on providing digital and offline educational resources for young people to explore and interrogate their place in the world.

The programme also supported local artists, practitioners and small organisations with much needed financial investment to realise their work.

Creative Commissions

Over two rounds, these creative commissions were for local artists, collectives and small organisations to develop new work for young people across the Lancaster District.

Creative Challenge Pack

Over the Summer of 2020 and 2021 we developed two offline creative activity packs for young people aged 13-19 (up to 25 with a disability) across the Lancaster District. Inspired by Arts Council England’s Let’s Create initiative, the packs were crammed full of activities aimed at challenging young people’s creativity. A digital version was also made available for download.

The New Radicals

In January 2022, ten young people took part in a series of 12 weekly two-hour sessions to develop a brand-new project.

With support from the Project Producer, Assistant Arts Producer (Kickstarter) and visiting guests, the young people worked together to curate an LGBTQIA+ artistic safe space called ‘Home is Where the Art is’.

The event consisted of an exhibition of the young people’s work, a queer cafe, sensory chill space, and sustainable marketplace with materials developed by the young people.

Cultural Care Series

A professional development programme for teachers, artists, community practitioners and cultural education enthusiasts wanting to develop their skills, learn about current practices and share experiences with peers.