York Art Group Co-Produce with Manor School Pupils an Inspiring and Inclusive Mural
The Art of Protest (AOP) Team has been working alongside Manor Church of England Academy school with a cohort of young people to co-produce a piece of art that really matters to them and the world around them. Students were chosen due to having barriers to attendance and the project inspired them to re-engage through creativity and sense of belonging. The students took part in several workshops and engagement sessions to help shape and create an amazing piece of art to go on the wall on the outside of the school to showcase the students' thoughts and what diversity means to them. The bright and colourful piece which includes famous street artist ‘Keith Harring’ style characters, pointing to our earth surrounded by a planet, each student painted. It tells a story that we are all from one universe and one planet and that all rights matter regardless of the differences.
The students learnt about Haring who was an advocate for LGBTQI, human rights and the power of creative expression to connect with one another. Manor chaplain Miriam Kearney worked with the students to teach them about respect, anti-rascist principles and tolerance. While the project delivered a co-produced piece of art, it also made a significant impact on re-engaging the young people in education through ownership and belonging with improved attendance and behaviour.
The piece itself will sit proud on the wall of the school for all to see and will hopefully lead the way in sparking conversation and engaging pupils into the future, helping shape the way of a more tolerant and inclusive world.
Speaking to the young people on the installation day they said they “Wouldn’t change anything” about the project and it “makes me want to do it more”. Words they used to describe the project included “Unity, Love and Fun”.
Manor Principal, Jordan Cairns said
“We have seen the impact of Art of Protest locally, and we commissioned this project to support a cohort of pupils who had barriers to attendance. Taking a different approach to early intervention, we really believe in our pupils and wanted to give them an opportunity to be part of something they would be proud of. Art of Protest uplifts spirits through confidence and capability building, but do it in a really inclusive and engaging way”
Manor teacher said
“This project has really made a difference, not only to attendance, but also the pupils learning new skills and new perspectives. Through creativity, we have seen the impact it has on behaviour and wellbeing so we would love to do another project in the future with Art of Protest”.
Art of Protest, Head of Workshops Chloe Mae
“We love working with children and young people. While creativity is not promoted in mainstream education, we know it can make such a huge difference to outcomes for young people and demonstrated this project has improved pupils' ability to attend school, as well as give them a more inclusive and empathic outlook. They have had loads of fun and feel real proud of what they achieved with many of them proudly hanging their canvases at home. We are keen to do more as we know it makes a difference”.
