Image: Artist’s CPD Programme
Creatively Minded, Ethinically Diverse
As part of our 2023-24 programme Arts for Health Milton Keynes partnered with the Islamic Arts Centre (MKIAC) and the Arts and Heritage Alliance (AHA-MK), to deliver "Creatively Minded, Ethnically Diverse". A programme artist workshops for adults (and older teenagers); created and delivered by professional artists from diverse communities, who represent culturally centred practice in their chosen artform and who identify with one of the following groups:
- LGBT
- Black, Asian or another ethnic minority group
The artists were supported on the programme through an continuous professional development (CPD) programme
These small projects work with fashion, photography, visual arts, poetry and writing, and dance/movement.
An outline of the project is detailed below, download the full evaluation here.
Project 1: Meera Patel
Meera is a dance artist working across teaching, facilitation, performance and making. She is part of the teaching faculty at Pagrav Dance Company, based in Milton Keynes and London. Meera’s teaching experience spans a range of ages and movement identities: kathak for participants aged 5 upwards at Pagrav Dance Company, intergenerational and family workshops with Sadler’s Wells and creative movement with participants with complex communication needs at Sense Arts. www.instagram.com/_meera
Meera is a dance artist working across teaching, facilitation, performance and making. She is part of the teaching faculty at Pagrav Dance Company, based in Milton Keynes and London. Meera’s teaching experience spans a range of ages and movement identities: kathak for participants aged 5 upwards at Pagrav Dance Company, intergenerational and family workshops with Sadler’s Wells and creative movement with participants with complex communication needs at Sense Arts. www.instagram.com/_meera
Nov- Dec 2023
Location:
Stantonbury Theatre
About the workshops:
A series of 5 dance-based workshops for young people (18-25) with South Asian heritage to support health and wellbeing. The workshops explored the stories and origins of our names and are designed to build a sense of community by sharing experiences related to our heritage and identity. In each session, enabled participants to:
* Learn dance-based tools to feel present in our bodies
* Attune to our auditory, tactile and visual experience as forms of inspiration and expression
* Express ourselves through dancing, moving, writing, drawing
* Feel connected to others through non-verbal expression
* Learn how different mediums of expressions can be the building blocks of dance work
* Reflect on the experience of collectivity in the sessions; celebrating individuality and its contribution to collectivity.
Project 2: Ziyao Lin
Ziyao Lin is an artist from Southern China. She graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and studied at Goldsmiths, University of London as a postgraduate. Ziyao Lin’s work is concerned with humanity and nature, the ethics of technology and women’s rights, and individual psychology. Her creative forms often include digital and art installations.
Dates:
Summer 23
Location:
Wolverton
Ziyao Lin is an artist from Southern China. She graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and studied at Goldsmiths, University of London as a postgraduate. Ziyao Lin’s work is concerned with humanity and nature, the ethics of technology and women’s rights, and individual psychology. Her creative forms often include digital and art installations.
Dates:
Summer 23
Location:
Wolverton
About the workshops:
A series of 5 art based workshops for adults and young people (18+) of Chinese heritage living in Milton Keynes. To support those living with mild axiety and depression who are stressed in their daily lives by using the art of painting.
Follow project updates here
A series of 5 art based workshops for adults and young people (18+) of Chinese heritage living in Milton Keynes. To support those living with mild axiety and depression who are stressed in their daily lives by using the art of painting.
Follow project updates here
Project 3: Amanda Holiday
Amanda Holiday is an artist / poet, she studied Fine Art Painting at Wimbledon School of Art in the UK and exhibited her large-scale drawings nationally before moving into film; writing and directing several short experimental dramas and documentaries. Her first collection of poetry ‘The Art Poems’ was published as part of New Generation African Poets by Akashic Books (US) in 2018. Holiday is currently a Techne /AHRC funded doctoral student in Poetry, Race and Art at the University of Brighton. www.amandaholiday.com
Dates:
Summer 2023
Location:
Netherfield, MK
About the workshops:
Amanda led a month-long poetry and art-making project with children aged 4-16 in Netherfield Meeting Place in Farmboroughas part of the African Diaspora Foundation’s summer programme in collaboration with The Wisdom Principle. Amanda devised sessions involving poetry reading and discussion and artmaking. Follow project updates here.
Summer 2023
Location:
Netherfield, MK
About the workshops:
Amanda led a month-long poetry and art-making project with children aged 4-16 in Netherfield Meeting Place in Farmboroughas part of the African Diaspora Foundation’s summer programme in collaboration with The Wisdom Principle. Amanda devised sessions involving poetry reading and discussion and artmaking. Follow project updates here.
Dates:
October-December 2023
Location:
Old Bath House, Wolverton
Project 4: Luca Bosani
Luca Bosani (he/they) is a neurodivergent, gender-non-conforming artist. In the last two years, he developed his identity and personality as TLSB private investigator & UPO (Inidentified Perfoming Objects) specialist. https://www.lucabosani.com/about/.
October-December 2023
Location:
Old Bath House, Wolverton
Project 4: Luca Bosani
Luca Bosani (he/they) is a neurodivergent, gender-non-conforming artist. In the last two years, he developed his identity and personality as TLSB private investigator & UPO (Inidentified Perfoming Objects) specialist. https://www.lucabosani.com/about/.
About the workshops:
Bonsani partnered with the Q-Alliance MK to deliver a 9 week wearable workshops series on wearable and performance art. The project aimed to improve the wellbeing of participants, safely develop and explore identity through wearable art and movement, support and create an inclusive environment and sense of belonging for young LGBTQI+ / neurodivergent young people and adults aged 18-35.
Bonsani partnered with the Q-Alliance MK to deliver a 9 week wearable workshops series on wearable and performance art. The project aimed to improve the wellbeing of participants, safely develop and explore identity through wearable art and movement, support and create an inclusive environment and sense of belonging for young LGBTQI+ / neurodivergent young people and adults aged 18-35.
©
All images courtesy of the artists
Office
Arts for Health Milton Keynes
Facilities Directorate
Milton Keynes Hospital
Standing Way
Eaglestone
Milton Keynes
MK6 5LD
Privacy Policy
Arts for Health Milton Keynes
Facilities Directorate
Milton Keynes Hospital
Standing Way
Eaglestone
Milton Keynes
MK6 5LD
Privacy Policy
Arts for Health Milton Keynes is the working name of MK Arts for Health charity number 1107625 company number 05137693