Moray youngsters flourish through arts project
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FINDHORN Bay Arts celebrated youngsters this week who have played parts in a successful creative project.
Some young people who have participated in "In The Mix" over the past three years were presented with certificates at the gathering on Monday, December 2, at Out of the Darkness Theatre studio in Elgin.
In The Mix is a three-year Findhorn Bay Arts' project which has been delivering creative activities over the past two and a half years for young people aged 10-25 in Moray who are experiencing isolation, are out of work or school, at risk of offending, or who live in rural pockets of deprivation.
The project is funded by CashBack for Creativity and We Make Moray. The celebration was held to mark successes as the current phase of the project and funding reached an end.
The afternoon included a drama and music session, the showing of an end-of-project film, performances from Arron Chosla and Rys McCart, and a mini-exhibition from Aalyiah Edwards.
Findhorn Bay Arts said the project has involved 275 young people across 85 creative programmes – which amounted to more than 300 sessions. The group worked with partner organisations including Moray Council, Aberlour Youth Point, Quarriers, Who Cares? Scotland and Ray’s Opportunities to deliver sessions such as workshops and creative visits.
Some 91% of the young participants fed back that their confidence had been boosted through the project, and 85% said their skills had been enhanced and that they had higher aspirations.
Steve Gasgarth, In The Mix project co-ordinator, said: "We are extremely proud of all the young people who have been part of the In The Mix project for achieving so much.
"We send a big thanks to our partner organisations for support and the artists who have done such amazing creative work with the participants.
"We are heavy-hearted that this phase of the programme and funding has come to an end, but we are working hard in the background to fundraise to enable another phase of activity to start next year so we can continue to deliver such positive benefits to so many creative young people across Moray."
