Young Arts!
20 May, 2008 at 14:23
As a Councillor, I get many invites to attend different events, and this has especially been the case whilst the Brighton Festival is on.
Three events have stood out however, and last night I was very pleased to attend the launch of “Me, Myself & Eye" at the Brighton Media Centre. This was a multimedia exhibition, organised by staff and young people from Brighton and Hove's Youth Offending Team. As well as a short play, video and live music, there was a wealth of different art works shown, by young people who have interacted with YOT. Many described a difficult part of the artists life, others explored issues like identity and exclusion, whilst others were purely beautiful pieces of art. I thoroughly recommend a visit to the Sussex Media Centre by Thursday 22nd May to see the exhibition.
Another exhibition on is the 'Open Ship Street House' at the Young People's Centre. This project, run by Sussex charity Impact Initiatives displays photographs taken by the young people who use their services. When I visited a fortnight ago, I was shown round by some of the young artists, an was particularly moved by four photographs of a young mum and her baby, dressed in different outfits highlighting the prejudice young parents often face.
The Young People's Centre exhibition is open to visitors one last time this Saturday, 24th May, it's well worth the visit, and you can even get tea and cake!
It seems a long time ago now, but at the start of the festival, I attended the Launch night of the Youth Arts Fringe, at the Corn Exchange. This was a great night with loads of young people from Brighton and Hove taking part and watching the events. There was a massive line up of live bands, dance shows, rappers and MC's, and some really moving poetry readings. There was also an exhibition of some of the highlights of the exhibitions to be held around the city in May, including some particularly impressive 'miniature homes' made by residents of Brighton & Hove Foyer.
I would really really recommend visiting some of the exhibitions, to see the great work being done by Brighton and Hove’s young people, and the staff of the nine statutory and voluntary sector services taking part in the Youth Arts Fringe.
Me, Myself & Eye
Brighton Media Centre 19-22 May, 9-5pm
http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1187014
http://www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk/listings/listing.asp?ev=1353&ed=10001
Open House
The Young Peoples Centre (69 Ship Street), 24 May, 11-5pm
http://www.youthartsfringe.org.uk/projects/young-peoples/centre.html
http://www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk/listings/listing.asp?ev=1211&ed=7746
Youth Arts Fringe
Details of the project and events all over the city.
http://www.youthartsfringe.org.uk
