Tate St Ives: Framing Collaboration

This case study focuses on the programme run by Tate St Ives in the first year of a three-year programme funded by the Mildred Fund. It details two main projects: Create Club and RESIDENT, which involved young people from schools and the LGBTQ+ community in Cornwall. These projects aimed to foster creativity, confidence, and collaboration among participants, many of whom are neurodivergent. A Creative Journey Framework was used to shape the projects and had five phases:

1. Welcome, Test, Experiment and Explore | 2. Inspire and Exchange | 3. Create and Produce | 4. Share and Celebrate | 5. Reflect and Grow. 

The research highlights the effectiveness of using the Creative Journey Framework to develop participants' growth in personal confidence and artistic skills, giving authenticity and voice to young people. Emphasising peer-led and process-led methods and approaches, the case study draws attention to inclusive spaces and practices with slow and ‘kind’ pacing of the projects to create a safe environment for young people to explore and express their individuality. Research also reveals how the projects used time and travel as an integral learning and bonding opportunity and embedded all work deeply into the gallery, allowing participants to feel a sense of ownership and pride in their visible contributions.

Needs-led and inclusive | Organisation-wide engagement | Trauma-informed training | ‘Creative Journey Framework’ | Shared aims across all stakeholders | Process-led | Peer-led | Gallery-specific | Contribution and ownership | Outcome focused | Celebratory.