Apply for our new Sustainability Community Arts Project
Looking for a way to develop your artistic practice and your professional skills?
The Sustainability Service is providing an opportunity for a team of student volunteers to co-create and deliver a collaborative arts project with a local community partner, Cardigan Community Centre (CCC). The project will consist of designing and delivering a series of six collaborative workshops with CCC’s Elders Connect group with the aim of creating a final performance, artwork or installation in any chosen discipline in The Arts. Volunteers will be provided with training, funding, and professional mentorship throughout the project delivery.
Applications are open to current University of Leeds students and close on Friday 1 November.
What does the project entail?
Through participation in this project you will:
- Design and facilitate a series of six workshops with CCC’s Elders Connect group
- Co-create a final performance, installation or artwork which represents the voices of the community partner group and engages with one or more sustainability themes.
- Work with a professional mentor* to develop skills in community engagement and arts facilitation.
*The successful project proposal will be matched with an experienced community arts practitioner with a relevant specialism.
Applicants should be prepared to:
- Engage with all training and professional development provided
- Work collaboratively and support efficient communication between volunteers, the community partner, and the project coordinator
- Act as ambassadors to the University of Leeds with positivity, respect, and enthusiasm
- Commit a total of 50 hours to the project
What will the final piece look like?
The final artwork, installation, or performance will incorporate one or more of the following creative disciplines:
- Performing arts (e.g. music, theatre, dance, spoken word)
- Visual arts (e.g. painting, sculpture, textiles, mixed media)
The final piece will also engage with one or more sustainability themes:
- Building sustainable communities
- Engaging with/communicating the science of climate change
- Addressing climate anxiety
- The Net Zero city
- Positive action for the planet
- Circular economy (sustainable resource use, re-use, and repair)
- One or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Who is our community partner?
The Cardigan Community Centre is a grassroots-led organisation established in 1990 by local people to serve the communities of Burley Park, Hyde Park, Woodhouse and Headingley. CCC hosts the Elders Connect group for over 50s who meet every Tuesday to take part in discussion, crafts, art, cooking, games, gardening, and outings. The group reflects the diversity of local communities with dozens of nationalities and languages represented.
What will you get out of the project?
The successful team will receive:
- 12 hours’ professional mentoring from an experienced community arts practitioner with a relevant specialism
- Training and experience in community engagement and project management
- £500 project funding
- Reimbursement of travel expenses
- A professional reference and evidence towards a portfolio
- Published recognition on the Sustainability Service website and LinkedIn
Project timeline:
November 2024 - April 2025
Applications close - Friday 1 November 2024
Successful team notified - Monday 4 November
Training - Tuesday 12 and Tuesday 19 November 11am-1pm
Workshop delivery - Tuesdays 11am-1pm in Semester 2
Application guidance:
This opportunity is open to all current University of Leeds students. Project proposals must be submitted as a team of between 2 and 6 applicants via Microsoft Form (university sign in required).**
If you are interested in participating you must complete the application form by Friday 1 November 2024.
** If you are interested in applying but do not have a team please get in touch as it may be possible to match you with another team project proposal.
Want more information?
- Email Chris Bowie, the project supervisor at C.Bowie@leeds.ac.uk.
- Visit the Sustainability Service stall at the Volunteering Fair in LUU Riley Smith Hall on Monday 14th October 11am to 3pm
- Sign up to the Community Projects tour on Thursday 24th October 12pm
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
We use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to guide our activity. Our Community Arts Project is linked to the following SDGs:
- Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
- Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
- Goal 17: Partnerships
Find out more about our impact on the SDGs.
