Funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation
@CircuitPHF #SparkChange
Circuit, a national arts programme conceived by Tate for under 25s, launched in 2013 and funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation, has connected 135,000 young people to the arts over the past four years giving them a chance to influence arts organisations in a tangible way through peer-led activities such as festivals and workshops. On 10 March 2017, at Nottingham Contemporary, a major conference will mark the conclusion of the project and examine Circuit’s important legacy. This conference will look at the journeys that the partner organisations and individuals have taken and what can be learned from these. Tate will publish full details of the Circuit outcomes in the autumn alongside films of the project.
Hundreds of events were organised across the four Tate galleries and six partner galleries from the Plus Tate network in England and Wales - Firstsite, Colchester; MOSTYN, Llandudno North Wales; Nottingham Contemporary; The Whitworth, Manchester; and Wysing Arts Centre in collaboration with Kettle’s Yard, Cambridgeshire - attracting a diverse group of people.
Circuit aimed to make a positive change in the cultural experiences available for young people, particularly those who have the least opportunities to participate in galleries and museums. The partner organisations worked with core groups of young people to create high profile festivals; establish new partnerships with local youth sector organisations; and contribute to a national picture, sharing experiences and analysis on the Circuit website. Participants said they were attracted by the potential to mix art, live music, film and social activities as well as work with art exhibitions and displays. The average age of those taking part was 22 and around a quarter were from BAME backgrounds. Radio 1 DJ, Clara Amfo and fashion designer and stylist, Daniel Lismore, were appointed Circuit Ambassadors.
For full details of the Circuit conference programme please visit https://circuit.tate.org.uk/conference/
For further details about Circuit visit http://www.tate.org.uk/about/projects/circuit
For further information contact Ruth Findlay in Tate Press Office on
020 7887 4941/4940 or email pressoffice@tate.org.uk or visit www.tate.org.uk
Notes to Editors
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Paul Hamlyn Foundation was established by Paul Hamlyn in 1987. Upon his death in 2001, he left most of his estate to the Foundation, creating one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK. Our mission is to help people overcome disadvantage and lack of opportunity, so that they can realise their potential and enjoy fulfilling and creative lives. We have a particular interest in supporting young people and a strong belief in the importance of the arts.
Among Circuit’s highlights of the past five years
- Firstsite, Colchester’s peer-led group YAK (Young Art Kommunity) who built a programme around gaming, street dance, circus, sound and digital and produced Flipside festival which took over the gallery for two weeks in autumn 2016.
- Kettles Yard and Wysing’s Circuit Cambridge whose Unlock Cambridge festival which involved events across the city and beyond.
- MOSTYN in Llandudno’s first young people’s group, GLITCH. GLITCH, which specialised in curating shows – one involving a skate park constructed inside the gallery.
- Nottingham Contemporary’s Collabor-8 Collective who produced the Affinity festival in November 2015.
- The Whitworth Young Contemporaries (WYC) who were supported by emerging artistic talent and worked alongside a core group of young people from diverse backgrounds. For the reopening of the gallery following refurbishment saw WYC co-produce WARP Festival across the park and galleries in 2016.
- Tate Collective London produced events in response to Tate Modern and Tate Britain’s collection and exhibitions and curated large-scale events including Hyperlink at Tate Modern in 2013, and Late at Tate Britain events. At Tate Liverpool large-scale projects have included the Blueprint Festival in 2014, and Art Gym in 2016, and a highlight of the Tate St Ives programme was the SWITCH festival in 2016: this involved the local community in art parties, free-running workshops, exhibitions and dance.
Other Circuit partners
Circuit partners have included: in Colchester, Essex Youth Services, Essex County Council Leaving and After Care Team, Colchester YMCA and Colchester MIND; in Cambridgeshire, Cambourne Youth Club, Foyer, Romsey Mill and Girton Youth Club; in Llandudno, Coleg Llandrillo, West Rhyl Young People’s Project, and Penrhos Avenue Alternative Education Centre; in Nottingham, Crocus Fields, The Refugee Forum and NGY Youth Provision; in Manchester, 42nd Street, Manchester City Council and Powerhouse Youth Centre; in Liverpool Walton Youth Project, Children & Adolescent Mental Health Services and Young Person’s Advisory Service; in Cornwall, Falmouth University, Young Mum’s Will Achieve, Camborne College: Pathfinders, Flashlight St Ives and Hayle Youth Group; and in London Raw Material, Bosco Centre, City of Westminster Children’s Services, University of the Arts London and Ravensbourne University.