Cultural arts employment project reopens to young people
Isobel Warner
Friday, January 7, 2022
A youth employment scheme which offers paid experience in the charity and arts sector has opened its second round of applications.
The Cultural Leaders Youth Employment Scheme started in September 2021 and opens up every six months for six young people, aged between 18 and 30 year.
It provides those who have been hit hardest by the pandemic with paid employment and experience in the creative industries.
Successful applicants, known as cultural leaders, will work with the London-based charities Poetic Unity, Black Cultural Archives and Theatre Peckham.
The cultural leaders will oversee the running of poetry workshops and events, whilst also providing support for the community and learning the daily operations of the charity they are designated to.
The scheme is part of the Poetic Relief Project and is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, awarding £360,000 to the collaboration to help deliver these programmes and workshops.
“The Poetic Relief Project will allow us to employ young people on our Cultural Leaders youth employment scheme and provide more services for young people than ever before,” said Ryan J. Matthews-Robinson, founder and chief executive of Poetic Unity.
“Black Cultural Archives is the home of Black British history,” said Arike Oke, managing director of Black Cultural Archives. “This collaboration with Poetic Unity and Theatre Peckham is a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain experience in our unique cultural settings.”
“The Cultural Leaders youth employment scheme will develop skills in facilitation and producing, equipping them with the paid experience at the beginning of their career,” said Suzann McLean, chief executive and artistic director of Theatre Peckham.
Applications for the scheme are now open and close on Friday 4 February at 5pm. The second cohort of Cultural Leaders will start on 1st March 2022. To apply click here.
