One Voice Blackburn has had a long-standing relationship with the Arts Council.
National Lottery Project Grants is the Arts Council’s open access programme for arts, museums and libraries projects. The fund supports thousands of individual artists, community and cultural organisations thanks to National Lottery investment.
It is noted that young people from the South Asian background are somewhat underrepresented in the arts sector. The challenges are pretty distinct in increasing the participation and engagement within the community for dance, drama and performance. Researchers have found that getting involved in the arts can improve a person’s confidence and self esteem.
One Voice Blackburn is seen as a key partner for the Arts Council in its aims to reach all sections of the population through Art.
The funding body has supported One Voice Blackburn to conduct a number of projects including the formation of a girl’s music group, a drama performance, as well as two eye-catching videos. Young people were the heart of each project, which have received national acclaim.
WE LOVE BLACKBURN
One Voice Blackburn produced a series of videos that have been planned and developed by young people. The videos were showcased at the Awards Dinner in King George’s Hall in February 2023 and February 2024 before they were distributed via social media platforms.
The young people, aged between 11 and 18, have undertaken digital training as well as story boarding, editing and music selection skills. There was a focus on digital development in filmmaking, illustration, graphic design, animation and sound design. The project has given young people the opportunity to delve in a variety of aspects or specialise in one specific area.
The ‘Blackburn – We Love It, We Breathe It, We Love It’ video was launched at the 1V Awards Dinner in February 2023.
Young people with an interest in drama and film have been at the very heart of a One Voice Blackburn, Arts Council England and Heritage Fund project called Back to 1984.
The six-minute video was premiered and launched at the 1V Awards Dinner in King George’s Hall, Blackburn in February 2024.
The young people, aged between 11 and 18, have undertaken digital training as well as story boarding, editing and music selection skills. There was a focus on digital development in filmmaking, illustration, graphic design, and animation. The project has given young people the opportunity to delve in a variety of aspects or specialise in one specific area of the arts, and to explore recent heritage.
Back to 1984 lead star Aisha Hussain, spoke of her excitement about the project which was filmed over two days.
“I am so pleased to see the finished piece. It was a privilege to have been involved and get to wear some fantastic clothes, and getting to ride a bike that was very popular in the 1980s. the cars were cool too. I have learnt so much during the process of preparing and making the film.”
DRAMA PROJECT
The drama project ‘Crème De La Crime’ was presented to an audience of 500 in February 2020. The young people were supported by Peshkar, an Arts Council National Portfolio organisation and lead participatory arts organisation targeting young people deemed hard to reach and or socially disadvantaged. The group were also supported locally in developing their musical skills by McNally Music Tuition, based in Blackburn., and by Peshkar – a specialist drama and dance company.
A GROUP of Asian girls formed their own girl group to defy stereotypes of how they are portrayed in the media.
The West End Girls (WEGS) created their own group called BANNED, with support from the Arts Council.
The band performed at the 1V Awards Dinner in October 2021, showing off what they have learned during training with McNally Music Tuition, Blackburn.
Aged between 12 and 15, the girls have spent 18 months learning how to play instruments like drums, guitar, bass and keyboards.
The girls want to inspire other young female Asians to break stereotypes and pursue music if they like it. They were featured on BBC Newsround after their performance.