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StepUP: A training and development programme for Black, Asian and minority ethnic creative practitioners

8 Apr 2009

StepUP Training and Development Programme; Creative Partnerships East Midlands StepUP Training and Development Programme; Creative Partnerships East Midlands

Creative Partnerships works to give school children in areas throughout England the opportunity to develop their potential, their ambition, their creativity and imagination through sustainable partnerships with creative and cultural organisations, businesses and individuals.

Having employed an equal opportunities policy for the past four years in our selection of practitioners, the pool of artists working in Creative Partnerships Derby still did not reflect the rich diversity that exists within our city. Our research showed that many talented artists from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities may not access training in the same way as the white majority, so we targeted them through stepUP supported by partners from the creative industries and education committed to diversity.

After initial training, shadowing and mentoring by high profile artists, 10 stepUP artists undertook a short project in a school. Taking an element from the school’s improvement plan, artists and staff spent up to three days together, sharing planning, delivery and evaluation.

The artists brought cultural richness to schools; in return the schools offered development support. Drama was used to express the emotional experience of moving into a new country or place of learning and the value of choices; African drumming, storytelling and music were central to a multi-cultural celebration. Students were encouraged to be independent thinkers by creating optical illusions collaboratively and the profile of dance in school was raised through Asian dance. Using the power of words to inform and challenge through writing and performance, spoken word inspired the exploration of identity, was the inspiration for dance, and even an exploration of electricity.

Creative Partnerships has worked with 10 artists and is now confident that this will lead to a more comprehensive reflection of Derby's rich diversity.