Portfolio > Artform > Cross arts

Encounter Culture at Thomas Knyvett College

An Encounter Culture event was held at Thomas Knyvett College providing a one-day festival of workshops to encourage participation in the arts. Different artists, many locally based, delivered participatory workshops. All ages were encouraged to attend.

Teachers and a group of Year 8 children from Thomas Knyvett College helped to organise the event.

23 workshops took place over four hours. Workshops ranged in subject matter from interior design, graffiti, creative dance, acting, electric guitar, Glee-style singing, puppet making, film editing and den building.

Who was involved

  • Teachers and Year 8 children from Thomas Knyvett College
  • Delivered by Culture Shift in partnership with Daniel Bernstein from Takepart Arts Ltd
  • Supported by Surrey Arts Partnership
  • Workshop leaders included: Oliver Heath from BBC Changing Rooms; Ensemble Theatre; Paul Conroy, DJ; Matt Wait, Actor (The Tudors, Casualty, Coronation Street, Hydrocracker); Ben Owora, film-maker; Kev Monday, DJ; Angela Mackenzie, singing teacher, Jane Gordon, puppet-making; Rejane Garcia, dance teacher

Objectives

  • Produce a one-day festival of arts and cultural workshops
  • Provide opportunities for engagement and participation in cultural activities within a cultural “coldspot”
  • Provide a route to participation in local arts clubs and societies

Outcomes

Encounter Culture provided a wide range of opportunities for participation in the arts and was very popular with participants. Of participants completing evaluation on exit, 94% ranked the event as 4 or 5 out of 5. 80% of workshop participants rated their experience as 5 out of 5. 129 people attended the event.

There was fantastic support from the teachers and students from Thomas Knyvett College, both in advance and on the day.

Back to top

The idea of bringing together cultural providers in one event, making use of the facilities of a school at a weekend when they otherwise remain unused, is very exciting!

Partner

The breadth of variety in the activities was excellent – I think for most families there genuinely was “something for everyone” on offer!

Partner

If you would be interested in holding a similar event in your area contact us: hello@cultureshift.org.uk