Youth Panel Launch

Developed in partnership by the Old Museum Arts Centre (OMAC) and Young at Art and based on research conducted by Young at Art during 2006, the Youth Panel will seek to redress the imbalance in youth participation in the planning and development of artistic and cultural provision for young people in Northern Ireland.

What is the Youth Panel?

The Youth Panel will put young people at the centre of decision making for the future of art and cultural provision for young people in Northern Ireland. It will develop educational and career based opportunities for 14-18 year olds and help them build key skills and develop as active and equal citizens.

The new panel will be self governing and semi autonomous and will be representative of the entire community. It will develop its own strategic aims and objectives over the life of the programme and beyond.

The Youth Panel will:

• Inform and contribute to the decision making process within both organisations.
• Benefit from extensive training in youth governance and self determination.
• Experience a wide range of art forms through dedicated art workshops.
• Participate in the creative and artistic life of both organisations.
• Create and deliver a programme of events for young audiences.
• Gain valuable experience working behind the scenes within both organisations.
• Contribute significantly to the future development of the arts in Northern Ireland.

Developing OMAC's new arts centre

One of the Youth Panel’s most significant roles will be to contribute to the creative process involved in the development of OMAC’s exciting new arts centre to be located in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. The young people will be consulted at every stage of the process to ensure that the new centre is representative of their ideas and aspirations and accessible to young people from across the city and beyond.

To achieve this the Youth Panel will:

• Participate in workshops to explore issues of space, design, aesthetics and architecture.
• Visit other spaces which have been designed in consultation with young people.
• Meet with other stake holders to produce a common vision for a centre which meets the needs of all.
• Help to raise awareness of the new development through events and promotions.

Who can take part?

Participation in the Youth Panel is free and open to young people aged 14 to 18 from all across Belfast and beyond. Selection for the Youth Panel will take place from 25th to the 30th June and the panel will meet for the first time early in July.

More information

To find out more about the project contact Kerry at 028 90 235053 or to register log on to http://www.youthpanel.bebo.com.