All artists working on Gallery 37 will benefit from a week-long masterclass prior to commencement of the programme to ensure high standards of participation across all projects. As well as providing general youth arts training for all artists working on the summer programme, Gallery 37 offers training and guidance for shadow artists, supporting and being mentored by the lead artists throughout the delivery period. This opportunity is open to those artists experienced in their art form area but wishing to develop a career in participatory arts.
Professional Development for Artists
The issues around working with the arts and a social inclusion agenda have become increasingly apparent. The objectives for Gallery 37’s intensive training programme are the:
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Development of communication skills
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Development of group work skills
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Enhancement of ability to facilitate creativity and self expression
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Exploration of key issues in working in partnership with apprentice artists
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Increasing ability to respond appropriately to conflict in the working environment.
Through this programme, Gallery 37 has also provided artists with an opportunity to gain a National Open College Network Qualification ‘Youthwork: Arts and Young People’.
From the outset, a long-term goal of Gallery 37 has been to enable the professional development of young people. Now, Gallery 37 is beginning to see apprentice artists, whose involvement began as young participants, leading workshops as shadow artists, and less experienced artists, who first participated as shadow artists, successfully working as lead artists on the programme.