Greenfield Arts have been privileged to be part of the tenyear celebration for Arts Award ‘We are Ten’ which is part of an ambitious programme established by Culture Bridge North East, in partnership with the Customs House. Greenfield Arts was one of 10 organisations working with young people in schools throughout the North East to offer them the opportunity to work with talented local artists and practitioners to achieve their nationally recognised Arts Award qualification. The Youth Cree students, all from Greenfield Community College and supported by GAMP and Public Health funding, have been working on ‘Bring the Funny’ a community arts project which will culminate in artwork and sound installations to brighten up the day for passengers at Newton Aycliffe Railway station. Working with comedian Ruth Johnson, artist Nicola Golightly and film maker Laura Degnan, they have created a comical and innovative experience for visitors to the platform which will be installed this summer. Sophie Lewis, Art Centre Coordinator has been responsible for co-ordinating the award and monitoring the student’s progress, Sophie is very proud of the Youth Cree group who have risen to the challenge to create fabulous work for the project and have grown in confidence throughout the weeks. “This isn’t the first time we have put our young people through this brilliant qualification but it is the first time we’ve done it in this way. Being able to share expertise with other organisations was a really valuable experience. The Youth Cree group said they would recommend doing an
Arts Award as it is thoroughly enjoyable “. On the successful completion of the project, the students were invited to attend the awards ceremony and ‘We Are Ten’ celebrations at The Discovery Museum in Newcastle, where they were presented with their award and were able to join in a fun day of activities with other participants from the 10 schools and organisations. Harry Wilson, Millie Dent and Jack Smith attended on behalf of the Youth Cree group to accept the awards alongside artist Nicola Golightly and Sophie Lewis, and were brilliant representatives for both Greenfield Community College and Greenfield Arts Youth Cree.