Overview of the project and introduction to this guide
The Project
Art for Action is part of a wider initiative called the Connecting Communities and Heritages against Climate Change (CCHCC) programme, which is led by the Open University in partnership with University of Ibadan, Highland One World and the YMCA African Alliance.
Art for Action consists of a series of activities, which are accompanied by a research process which aims to consider;
1. How children and young people express themselves, their concerns and their ideas in relation to the climate change.
2. How artivism as a process empowers under-represented groups, including young people, through developing resilience, resourcefulness and leadership.
3. What we can learn about co-production and participation for sustainable activism to address the climate crisis.
The activities and research process are outlined in this image;
This Guide
In this guide you will find an overview of how to set up events which put into practice the principles of Art for Action. Each section takes you through the process of setting up the event and makes clear the principle being applied.
The guide is intended to offer a flexible framework, rather than be prescriptive, hence there are reflection points throughout the guide to help you, as coordinators, adapt the principles to the contexts in which you work. As you work through the guide, keep a note of your responses to these points, adapting the prompt questions as you need to suit your contexts.
Before getting further into the guide it is useful to make sure the project is designed in a way that allows you to meet your aims, intentions and hopes by completing the following activity.
Reflection: What are your aims for getting involved?
- What do you hope this project brings or strengthens within your own work remit?
- How does the project fit with the strategic aims of your organisation or other aims that impact on your context (e.g. curricula, policies, local or national targets)
- What do you hope this project brings to the organisations you work with?
- What do you hope this project brings to the young people who take part?
- What do you hope this project brings to the communities who engage with the exhibitions?
- What excites / intrigues or raises questions for you at this stage?
On the next page you will consider Art for Action principle 1 and implications for your planning.