In the run up to 2025, when Rotherham will become the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture, a no-nonsense Youth Programming Panel of young Rotherham residents has now been appointed to ensure the year-long celebration plans are designed by young people, for young people.
The panel, made up of 22 local young people from groups including Young Inspectors, Rotherham Youth Cabinet, Dalton Youth Club, and Children’s Capital of Culture Artists in Residence and Trainees, will have their say on activities happening in the borough during the landmark year for Rotherham and the build-up in 2024. 32 people applied to be part of the paid panel.
Ben Dobson was one of the coveted few to gain a place on the panel. They said: “It’s so important for young people like me to have a voice in what Rotherham becoming Children’s Capital of Culture actually means. I’ll be using my place on the panel to make sure that we, as young people who live here, have the real say over things happening for 2025, and making all the best ideas happen.”
Sarah Christie, Programme Manager for Children’s Capital of Culture, added: “We’ve created the Youth Programming Panel to ensure our programme of celebration events really hits the mark for our young people in 2025 and beyond. Think of them as the young Dragon’s Den of Rotherham; they don’t hold back!
“Anyone who wants to do an event or activity will need to bring their idea to our panel, who’ll decide if it’s something they want to take forward and recommend to the Cultural Partnership Board as part of the festival programme. They will also help to secure funding for the programme and have other strategic roles on the Children’s Capital of Culture project, which is all about giving more young people of Rotherham work and training opportunities in the creative and cultural industries.”
The Youth Programming Panel is now looking for people to submit their exciting new ideas for events and activities to happen in 2025 in Rotherham, under the Children’s Capital of Culture banner. Panel member Mairead McManus, 16, explained: “No idea is too big or too small; we want everyone to get involved and make something great happen as we build up to becoming Children’s Capital of Culture.”
You can submit your ideas to the panel at ccoc@rotherham.gov.uk.
For more information, visit www.childrenscapitalofculture.co.uk.
Rotherham schools set for creative boost
The team behind Rotherham’s ambitious Children’s Capital of Culture initiative has announced new funding to help local schools offer more creative activities to pupils.
Children’s Capital of Culture will help local schools to achieve the prestigious Artsmark Award through a new £10,000 pot of funding provided by Arts Council England. The funding will be split across several different schools in the area and can be used to pay for creative activities, equipment, trips, events and visits from creative facilitators and artists.
Sarah Christie, Programme Manager at Children’s Capital of Culture, explains: “This is a fantastic opportunity for schools to boost their arts, culture and creativity curriculum with specialist support from Artsmark, and work with other local schools on collaborative creative events for Children’s Capital of Culture festival year in 2025. We’re looking for innovative and exciting ideas and an enthusiasm for creative learning!”
To apply, schools will be required to answer the question: ‘What creative activities would you like to see in your school and your local area in 2025 for Children’s Capital of Culture, and why?’ Applications should be sent to ccoc@rotherham.gov.uk by Monday 1st July. Schools will be informed of the outcome of their applications by Friday 19th July.