Curious Arts – a North East based charity focused on developing LGBTQIA+ arts, artists, and communities – will continue and re-launch a series of youth groups across Tyneside.
Statistics show that over half (57%) of LGBT+ young people in the North East feel lonely or separated from those they are closest to – more than anywhere else in England. As LGBTQIA+ hate crime statistics continue to rise (186% over the last five years), Curious Arts’ vital youth activity was developed in response to a challenging social and political climate for LGBQTIA+ communities, coming out of the pandemic.
Curious Arts’ free Newcastle Youth Group sessions, which take place monthly at Dance City in Newcastle upon Tyne, were started to improve young LGBTQIA+ people’s mental health by providing much needed community, friendship and access to creative outlets for young people aged 11-15 years old in the region.
Alongside their monthly Newcastle youth group, Curious Arts also offers the opportunity for any LGBTQIA+ or gender non-conforming 12-19 year olds in Tyneside who have a passion for music to attend Curious Youth Music – a free weekly group for LGBTQIA+ musicians and aspiring producers.
These sessions give young people the opportunity to meet fellow musicians, join jam sessions, develop their songwriting and production skills, work with professional musicians and learn more about the local music industry in the North East.
Izaak Gledhill, Community Projects Coordinator at Curious Arts said, “Curious Arts Youth Groups were established to create a safe space where LGBTQIA+ and/or gender non-conforming young people feel supported and able to meet new people and inspiring artists whilst exploring their creativity.
“We encourage young people to come along and make new friends, and take part in fun creative activities like clay sculpting, zine crafting, protest poster designing, creative writing, songwriting, trips out and much more.”
Over 150 young people based across the North East benefit from Curious Arts’ youth activity every year.
A participant’s parent praised the initiative saying: “They were struggling with their mental health and confidence and I knew they needed to make other LGBTQ+ friends with similar interests, I had no idea how to suggest making that happen.
“Since joining the group, their confidence has grown ten-fold and it’s an absolute joy to see them find their passion for music and life again.”
If you or a young person you know are interested in joining or learning more about Curious Arts’ youth groups, get in touch at [email protected]
Curious Arts’ Tyneside Youth Activity is currently supported by Newcastle Culture Investment Fund through Community Foundation Tyne Wear and Northumberland, UK YOUTH, Youth Music, Children in Need and Lumo trains.
