Whitworth Art Gallery: Why Art Matters

Art Works: IRL is Whitworth Art Gallery’s three-year partnership with local secondary school Manchester Academy. The project aims to recalibrate young people’s relationship with art and their everyday lives.

The Whitworth developed two projects with the school: one term-time project based at the Gallery during the spring and summer term; and one week-long summer school during the holidays, held at Rekindle, a supplementary school for young people outside formal education. 

The Gallery worked mainly with Year 9 students (aged 13-14) from Manchester Academy, and a small number of year 10 and 11 students who joined the Rekindle summer school. 

The students have mixed experiences and appreciation of the arts: some had initially chosen not to continue with art and design in their GCSE options, and the Whitworth was keen to see if there would be a shift in how they value art and its place in their lives and education.

Could sustained engagement with artists and the Gallery strengthen young people’s confidence, creative agency, critical thinking and wellbeing?

• How can young people use art as a tool for positive community change?

• How sustained engagement in the arts can deepen understanding of art’s value and shape GCSE or career decisions
• How creativity and reflection support emotional wellbeing and resilience.

The team employed the ‘Drawing as Thinking ’ model as an additional dimension to support the students’ reflections. They made drawings over time to record their own journey and reflect on changes in their learning and understanding. 

The programme had a strong research and learning dimension. Reflection and evaluation with students were embedded, and art was not only utilised for its creative processes but also as a research method.