1. What does full-time provision entail?
Each Summer Arts College will run for five taught hours each day (exclusive of all breaks and lunch times) for five days a week during the school summer holidays (over the period of three weeks). The Summer Arts College is also required to provide induction in order to conduct educational assessments, hold interviews with parents/carers and complete the relevant paperwork for each young person. Induction may also include taster sessions and an opportunity for the young people to meet with artists, their Connexions adviser and/or other staff.
2. Is the Summer Arts College funded?
Yes, there is a substantial contribution of up to £11,000 towards the programme for three weeks.
3. Who will take the lead on the Summer Arts College in my area?
Contract for delivery can only be with a youth offending team (YOT) as it must be sanctioned by a YOT Manager. You can find out contact details for your local YOT by visiting the Youth Justice Board website.
4. Who needs to be involved in the Summer Arts College delivery?
The Summer Arts College involves a three-way partnership between participatory artists and/or arts organisations, a literacy/numeracy tutor and YOT staff. Connexions/Careers Wales staff should also be involved to support the individual ETE (education, training and employment) progression of young people.
5. What sort of venue should I be looking for to run a Summer Arts College?
All colleges must be delivered in high quality mainstream or community venues, such as FE colleges, universities or art venues. Community venues should have links into mainstream education, training and employment providers. Whilst the colleges will be based in one location, there must be opportunities for activities away from the base too, for example, arts exhibitions, recording studios, concert venues and artists’ studios.
6. Can more than ten young people take part in a Summer Arts College?
The programme is designed to run with ten young people. However, to ensure the Summer Arts College begins with ten young people, it is worth having a reserve list as a small number of young people may not be able to continue with the College.
7. Is Arts Award an integral part of the Summer Arts College programme?
Yes. All young people must work towards Bronze Level Arts Award (or higher), a nationally recognised accreditation at Level 1. To find out more about Arts Award, please visit www.artsaward.org.uk.
8. How important is a celebration event?
Celebrating the young people’s success is a vital part of the Summer Arts College and should be shared by parents, carers, partners and case workers, as well as the young people, senior managers and the staff at the Summer Arts College. This event could include presentations and provide an opportunity to showcase the work of the Summer Arts College. Early planning of the event is recommended.
9. What meals should we provide?
It is expected that a healthy lunch is provided each day. Breakfast is optional, but experience does show that getting together the young people and staff together at the start of each day to eat and discuss the day’s activities is very productive and helps to build effective working relationships.