Art and performances by young people from across Newcastle will be showcased at a free, festival-style event this summer.
The Reaching Out Festival Takeover takes place on Saturday 27 July at Northern Stage and will include live music, exhibitions, film screenings and workshops.
The event has been organised by Newcastle-based Skimstone Arts, which is working with young people aged between 14 and 25, giving them the opportunity to experience different art forms and work with professional artists to create their own work.
Claire Webster Saaremets, Artistic Director at Skimstone Arts, said: “The Festival will be a fun, free event for young people and their families. As well as being able to see some of the fantastic work which has been created by the young people our artists have been working with, everyone will have the chance to join in with a workshop, have a go at creating something for themselves, and take in some performances and exhibitions.”
Reaching Out is a three year programme of cultural events coordinated by Skimstone Arts and driven by a leadership team of young artists.
Young people in Walker and Blakelaw, who may not otherwise be able to access opportunities in the arts, have been taking part in regular sessions, working with professional artists to develop their skills in a range of art forms including animation, photography, performance and music.
Claire Webster Saaremets added: “This event has been shaped by young people and will be a real celebration of the huge artistic potential we have here in the North East.
“Whether you want to take part, create your own artwork, or find out about future events you could get involved with, the Reaching Out Festival Takeover will be a brilliant way to kick off the summer holidays.”
Tickets for the Reaching Out Festival Takeover, which is suitable for ages 11 and over, are free and available via www.northernstage.co.uk.
Reaching Out is coordinated by Skimstone Arts and Skimstone Arts’ Echo Artists and Young Artists Collective. Reaching Out is supported by the Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, Newcastle City Council, Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant, Quaker Legacy Fund, WellNorth Newcastle Gateshead, Wellesley and Hadrian Trust.
Find out more at www.skimstone.org.uk.