Councillor Kirsty North, Hampshire County Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Universal Services, said: “Hampshire is home to one of the largest creative and cultural sectors outside London, contributing £4.5 billion to the local economy and supporting tens of thousands of jobs. This creative work experience programme gives young people a unique insight into those opportunities, helping them build confidence, skills and ambition.”
Activities for the students include working with prominent performance poet Zohab Zee Khan to write and perform an original ballad about Basingstoke, learning puppet-making and performance techniques with Scratchbuilt productions, and exploring different approaches to creativity, including inviting local Festival-goers to experience fashion design through virtual reality.
Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Cllr Paul Harvey said: “It’s fantastic to see so many opportunities for young people to experience the power of arts and culture on their doorstep as part of this year’s Basingstoke Festival.
“As well as gaining valuable hands-on experience, participants have had the opportunity to develop new skills, discover their talents and make connections that could shape their futures. Creating opportunities like this is exactly what our Town of Culture bid is all about – celebrating creativity, nurturing local talent and ensuring young people can see a future for themselves in the creative industries. As a council, we invest in arts and culture activities and events, like the festival, as we know how it enriches life in the borough and helps to bring communities together.”
The programme is supported by the Careers & Enterprise Company, the national body that works with the Hampshire Careers Hub to connect schools and colleges with employers and opportunities.
The students will be supported by Hampshire-based creative businesses Scratchbuilt, Studio of New and Apples and Snakes.
The Basingstoke Festival celebrates arts, culture and community, bringing together performances, events and creative experiences. The Creative Work Experience programme forms a key part of the festival’s ambition to inspire participation and showcase local talent.