Leicester’s Curve is looking at options to extend its arts-led social change scheme Young Arts Entrepreneurs (YAE).
YAE works with 12 young people aged 16 to 25 each year, enabling them to start their own social enterprise and provide opportunities and benefits for their communities.
Curve is now looking to continue the project beyond the original three-year programme to create a template which could be rolled out across arts organisations nationally.
On Wednesday 14 August, the YAEs will take over Curve for a day of workshops, performances and presentations, including a live stream of urban spoken word poet Jess Green at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Tim Ford, Curve’s associate director for participation and learning who co-ordinates the project, said, “There’s a phenomenal amount of creative talent in Leicester and the surrounding region, and we’ve once again been privileged to work with a group of fantastically gifted and committed young people.
“This year’s YAEs have not only produced projects of outstanding artistic quality but also demonstrated maturity and dedication both in their approach to developing business skills and in ensuring that the work has been of real value to the communities involved.
“As we move towards the final year of YAE we’re keen to extend the model, developing a legacy for the project which will continue to benefit Leicestershire’s young artists and communities, while at the same time creating opportunities for arts organisations across the country.”
This year the YAEs have worked with diverse groups ranging from ex-offenders to disadvantaged young people as well as those with special educational needs.