Gallery 37 Plus apprentice graduates present at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts
Talented young advocates spoke to stakeholders and influencers at the Spreading the Word event
A selection of Youth Music’s Gallery 37 Plus apprentice graduates from 2007’s regional cross-arts training programmes were nominated by each delivery partner (based in Bristol, Leeds, London, Newark & Sherwood and Oldham) to represent their area at Gallery 37 Plus’ advocacy event in London in July 2008.
The Institute of Contemporary Arts provided an apt, stylish venue for stakeholders and influencers to hear the young people speak about their aspirations and experiences of Gallery 37 Plus. The young people, none of whom had had formal training of public speaking, rose to the occasion magnificently. Some talked movingly about how the programme had inspired them to go on to achieve past aspirations they didn’t believe possible. For others, their apprenticeship had been an opportunity to build on existing interests and skills, and produce a portfolio of work to use to gain a place on a related college course which led to employment. Gallery 37 Plus had opened some young people’s eyes to the breadth of training and career options available to them outside their peer group norms; the programme gave them the confidence to pursue these routes.
The event also acted as a showcase for music videos and audio tracks produced by groups of apprentices during 2007’s projects. The audience was uplifted with live music too - Aisha and Cherelle Grant from Bristol performed a Hip Hop composition of their own as did Lewis Straughn (aka D-Rydah), an aspiring young Grime/Hip Hop artist from Oldham.
Mandeep Malhi, an apprentice from Gallery 37 in Birmingham commented:“I think I was the most nervous but we all pulled together and encouraged each other to get on stage and represent Gallery 37 Plus! We not only inspired each other but also the people in the audience. I met amazing people and young professionals full of ideas and over spilling with creativity.”
David Sulkin, Youth Music Director of Programmes commented: “The Gallery 37 Plus seminar at the ICA in July 2008 was designed and led exclusively by young people. They were nervous taking the platform – public speaking is not something many young people are used to. Nevertheless, in their own contemporary ways, they were able to speak of their experiences of Gallery 37 Plus and its advantages, and talk openly about their lives, challenges, aspirations and successes. They also delivered quite electrifying live performances, demonstrating skills beyond their years.“
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