Stephenson Academy in Milton Keynes serves students with social, emotional and mental health issues and serve Years 7, 8, 9 & 10. They are planning two cultural days on the 19th and 20th July 2017 to celebrate cultural diversity and are seeking two practitioners to help them do this. They are seeking to work with two practitioners for both days.

Between 60 and 70 students will carousel around activities in groups of no more than 9 and be accompanied by 3 members of staff. There will be 5 x 1 hour long sessions and practitioners will be asked to repeat the same activity each time and to plan the activity so that the students can produce or experience something meaningful within that time scale.

The theme is International Cultures so they are looking for activities that relate to the exploration of other cultures, their own national identity, or the link between the two. We have a budget of up to £200 per day inclusive of VAT, travel and expenses (so £400 per practitioner for two days of delivery), and are open to a wide range of art forms and interpretations of the theme. Due to the nature of the student body at Stephenson Academy we are looking for practitioners who are confident and experienced at working with young people with additional needs.

This commission is funded by the Bedfordshire & Milton Keynes Network for Collaborative Outreach and brokered by The Culture Challenge. Expressions of interest should be made by emailing eleanorh@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk by the30th June 2017 and applicants will be informed of selection by the 7th July 2017.

Photograph by Cat Lane of Utopia Creative Arts‘ Headdress