Each neighbourhood programme represented a standalone project consisting of 10 workshop sessions that introduced young people to art forms such as DJing, Street Dance, Drama, Digital Music, Graffiti Art, Fantasy Fashion and African Drumming.  The programme, supported by the Arts Council and Sandwell MBC through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, ran for over 10 months and enabled over 650 young people work towards an ASDAN Expressive Arts Award.

The young people captured their programme by way of photographic documentation and generated artworks as well witness statements and workshop certificates, enabling groups to independently hold a neighbourhood end of project exhibition.

THE BUCK TUNNEL
What is locally known as ‘The Buck Tunnel’ is the sole means of access between the two Sandwell communities of Riddins Mound and the Codsall Estate.  Dynamics Community Arts created a participatory public art project to rejuvenate this rundown subway facility traditionally associated with crime and anti-social behaviour. 

Dynamics Community Arts facilitated design development workshops with local people to cultivate their ideas and designs for the tunnel artscape.  Participants worked collaboratively to develop their drafts into 3 summary designs, which were exhibited across the community for a local election.  Neighbourhood involvement and consultation throughout ensured local engagement with and ownership of the selected artwork.  Young people from both communities assisted with the preparation and painting of the subway.    The process increased levels of interaction between Riddins Mound and the Codsall Estate, which improved social cohesion, particularly amongst the resident young people.  The resulting artwork provided a visual and social environment that is distinctive, vibrant and engenders a strong sense of identity and pride.  Use of the tunnel and movement between the two estates has increased and its connotations with crime and anti-social behaviour have effectively been designed out.

NECHELLS COMMUNITY SAFETY PROJECT
The Nechells Community safety project was a collaboration between the community charity Free@Last and Dynamics Community Arts, which engaged 15 detached and at risk young people who explored the relationships between drugs, crime and community safety.  Their perspective on these issues was expressed through the production of a short video which formed a fundamental part of their contribution towards an action plan for a safer Nechells neighbourhood.

This community safety consultation project yielded a wide range of additional benefits such as the improved involvement of young people in the local decision making process, active citizenship, youth advocacy, increased confidence and self-esteem.

Throughout the project the young people were supported in recording their work using a range of digital media and traditional arts activities, which culminated in an end of project exhibition and film screening that both highlighted local issues and stimulated discussion.

GALTON VILLAGE SCULPTURE
The regenerated Galton Village needed a focal point that expressed the strong and resilient nature of the community and celebrated the completion of their new estate.  After a long and arduous journey which culminated in the provision of an improved quality of living space and environment, it seemed a fitting time to reflect on the community’s achievements and creatively capture their feelings. 

This was achieved through a sculpture project that engaged children from local schools and youth groups. Design development workshops helped the young people develop their ideas into sculpture models, which were pooled into three final drawing that were exhibited locally for selection. 

The whole process was documented by local film-making company Montage Video, who captured the project from implementation to completion.

As with Buck Tunnel, local residents were involved and consulted from the outset, ensuring the resulting artwork was a true reflection of the community’s outlook and aspirations which did not become a focus for anti-social behaviour.

OAKHAM PUPIL REFERRAL UNIT
We have recently delivered a 12 week DJ mixing course to detached young people at the Oakham Pupil Referral Unit.  The course has been designed for ages 11 upwards in response to a growing demand among young people for professional DJ mixing skills.  It provides a step by step guide to DJ mixing, from placing a record on the turntable through to executing some basic tricks of the trade that make a successful mix. 

The aim is not to turn out the next superstar DJ, but to help these excluded young people develop confidence and various key skills that can be used in daily life, through the accomplishment of various tasks.