Whitworth Manchester: Art Works IRL (In Real Life)

This is a Manchester partnership between the Whitworth, Manchester Academy and neighbouring youth sector providers which is challenging the perception that art and design has minimal value in modern society and on the school curriculum. It is recalibrating young people’s relationship with art and their everyday lives through developing an action research enquiry that tests how young people can use art as a tool for positive community change. They are co-creating a Change Makers project alongside school and gallery staff, artists, university researchers and 15 students (year 9) to develop a process that explores how art can be used to highlight current real-life issues. This aims to influence peers, teachers, parents, carers and the wider public by showcasing and celebrating outcomes in school and in the Whitworth’s Everyday Art School gallery space. Year 10 Academy students are being invited to after-school and weekend workshops – led by community partners and young artists in residence – that demonstrate how art has transferability into other areas of life and future careers, exploring links with life skills, creativity, community living and wellbeing.