More than one million young Catholics are expected to attend the World Youth Day event in Lisbon this week (2-6 August).
Stages and big screens have been set up for events across the city, with the Pope meeting officials at the National Palace in the historic neighbourhood of Belem, celebrating Mass in Jerónimos Monastery and then taking part in events throughout the week at locations including Cascais on the coast, the central Vasco da Gama Garden and on the Hill of Encounter at Edward VII Park, before the celebrations culminate with a Mass for World Youth Day beside the River Tagus on Sunday (6 August).
For more information, ideas and inspiration on visiting Lisbon, please go to www.visitlisboa.com.
In collaboration with North Edinburgh Arts, JACK ARTS SCOTLAND is bringing a wee taste of the Fringe to North Edinburgh!
Looking for some summer fun? Next week, join us at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre for a short programme of FREE creative workshops led by Scottish stars of the 2023 Fringe. Fun and memorable workshops for children and young people living in Muirhouse, Pilton, Granton and Drylaw.
No previous experience needed; all abilities welcome!
An inspirational sculpture created by school children in Orkney goes on display at the National Galleries of Scotland: National
Your Art World
FREE
National Galleries of Scotland: National
24 June 2023 – 14 April 2024
A sculpture created by school children in Orkney will arrive at its new home in the National at the National Galleries of Scotland this month. Named Bob, the inspirational artwork has been travelling across Scotland touring to schools and communities to highlight the importance of art for young people.
Bob has become a school mascot, spreading the children’s important message to protect our world from pollution.
Created by Dounby Community School the sculpture will join the Your Art World exhibition, which opens today (24 June).
The exhibition aims to engage with young people and encourage them to think creatively, supporting future generations of artists.
Digital screens will also display the artwork from over 270 incredible 3-18 year olds who uploaded their creations to the website. The young people could be as imaginative as they liked and use any type of materials for their creations, resulting in a superb and broad range of artwork.
The exhibition is a celebration of what happens when young people are encouraged to be wildly imaginative with no limitations.
Families and young people inspired by the creativity will also be able to get involved in making their own creations in the galleries this Summer.
With a specially created ‘make and share’ area allowing them to produce and upload their own work to the website. There is also the added bonus of having their artwork added to the digital showcase on the screens.
Four core groups have created spectacular physical installations for the exhibition, which will be displayed alongside the collection of digital art works.
Dounby Community school’s installation will feature, as well as creations from young people in their final year at Galashiels secondary school and Granton Primary.
A group of children and their families from PAMIS, an organisation in Scotland working with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities for a better life, are also featured.
Touring to schools and communities, Bob has challenged children across the country to make and share their own creations.
Giving them the opportunity of having their own works displayed on digital screens as part of the final exhibition at the National. Bob visited Inverness, Skye, Aberdeen, West Lothian, Dundee, Fife, Stirling, Glasgow and Galashiels along the way.
Even taking a trip to Holyrood to join Orkney MSP Liam McArthur (top), where the school pupils were commended in the Scottish Parliament for their hard work.
The creation was inspired by Dounby Community School’s chosen theme of ‘protect’, with the children making a life size character named Trashy.
Made of rubbish found on the beach, the sculpture is a meaningful representation of their desire to protect the world from climate change. As a friend for Trashy they created Bob as their mascot.
Bob will soon re-join Trashy at the Your Art World exhibition, as part of the wider installation created by the 152 pupils from Dounby Community School.
Dounby Community School Head Teacher, Islean Gibson, said:“Being part of such an amazing gallery exhibition has given everyone here at Dounby School such a sense of pride and motivation.
“Sharing our thoughts and ideas as part of a national project has really inspired our whole school community. The power of creation will have a lasting legacy.
“It makes me swell with pride every day seeing just how impactful creativity can be for a wee school and its community. I would wholeheartedly recommend everyone take that step into Your Art World and see where it takes you!”
Siobhan McConnachie, Head of Learning and Engagement, National Galleries of Scotland, said: ‘I feel so excited and proud to be showcasing the art work of the talented young artists of Scotland.
“The response to challenges has been truly inspiring and we have been so impressed with everyone’s creativity. The Your Art World project is incredibly important to us at National Galleries of Scotland as it hands over the creative process to young people and celebrates their work.
“Art has its place in every school, home and young person’s life, whether that be encouraging people to think creatively, use it as an expressive outlet or simply for some fun, this project and exhibition celebrates that art really is for everyone.’
This exhibition is made possible thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, who have raised more than £5 million awarded by Postcode Culture Trust to support National Galleries of Scotland.
All submissions can be viewed via the online gallery and will also be displayed digitally at the National until spring 2024.
Are you 25 or under and passionate about issues such as climate change, equality, poverty and your community? Or do you know someone who is? If so, then you might be interested in the forthcoming elections for the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP).
The SYP represents Scotland’s young people and democratically elected members listen to and recognise the issues that are most important to young people, making sure their voices are heard by decision-makers. It is a highly rewarding role that requires passion, determination and, perhaps most importantly, commitment.
All young people aged between 14 and 25 can stand for election and anyone aged between 12 to 25 is eligible to vote.
This year’s elections will be held in November and applications are open until 31 July.
Before then, interested young people can find out more and begin the application process on the SYP website which is open until 31 July.
Information sessions will be held and there is support available from the SYP and from Edinburgh’s Youth Work Team.
Beau Johnston, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Edinburgh Central, said: “I felt so well supported and was pushed out of my comfort zone constantly – but in the best possible way.
“My confidence has improved, and I have learnt many new skills. I feel grateful to have met so many inspirational people throughout this process, and to have worked with them on issues that I am so passionate about.”
Cllr Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener, for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for young people to join the Scottish Youth Parliament and make their voices heard.
“The Parliament has a proud history of delivering youth led campaigns that deliver meaningful change and have led to many improvements to the lives of young people not just here in Edinburgh but across Scotland. I would encourage anyone interested to apply and see if you can really make a difference.”
Two Edinburgh based charities – along with a third good cause group in Fife – have been shortlisted to receive a share of a £25,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid’s Community Connect award scheme.
The awards will be announced this October, following a vote by Scotmid Members.
Edinburgh Young Carers is a voluntary organisation that provides respite and support to young people between the ages of five and 25 who care for somebody at home. It aims to improve the lives and wellbeing of young carers by raising awareness of the challenges they face and by offering emotional and practical support.
The Junction works with young people aged 12-21 across Leith and the North East of Edinburgh, offering access to a wide range of health-related services, education and information by providing a safe and welcoming environment. The charity encourages social and economic inclusion and promotes long term health and wellbeing.
Margaret Murphy, Chief Executive at Edinburgh Young Carers, said: “We are thrilled to be shortlisted for a Scotmid Community Connect Award.
“Young carers in Edinburgh face several challenges looking after loved ones and this funding will offer new opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise. We are pleased to provide young carers in Edinburgh with a much-needed break from their caring responsibilities as well as a chance to build their confidence and learn new skills.”
The other good cause shortlisted in the East of Scotland is Fairway Fife.
Keen to support local good causes? Pop into your local Scotmid and pay £1 to become a member.
The Scottish Parliament’s Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee have visited Edinburgh City Youth Café, 6VT, as part of their ongoing inquiry into youth violence.
The Committee have been considering Petition PE1947: Address Scotland’s culture of youth violence which “calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to address the disturbing culture of youth violence in Scotland.”
As part of their evidence gathering, the Committee agreed to engage directly with individuals, families and communities affected by youth violence.
Visiting 6VT, the Committee joined a drop-in session with the Cairn Service which offers support to children and young People, aged 10-25 from the Edinburgh area, who been victims or witnesses of crime.
During the visit the Committee met with 6VT CEO, Dot Horne, Operations Manager, Fiona Horne and young people to discuss the impact of youth violence, the role that social media plays in fuelling this and how safe people feel in their communities.
Commenting after the visit, Committee Convener, Jackson Carlaw MSP said: “The Committee agreed that hearing first-hand from those who have been impacted by the issues raised in the petition was essential to our considerations and any recommendations we may make to the Scottish Government.
“Visiting 6VT in Edinburgh has provided us with the opportunity to directly engage with young people affected by youth violence and hear about the changes they want to see to make their communities feel safer.
“By continuing to engage with communities and organisations involved in tackling youth violence, we hope to gain deeper insights into the challenges faced and to be able to identify appropriate actions for Government to take in order to tackle the key issues.”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has confirmed £9.5 million funding for Scotland’s flagship Youth Music Initiative (YMI) this year. This includes £500,000 which has been ringfenced to deliver on the commitment to expand the YMI model into other art forms.
YMI funding enables schools and other organisations to provide quality music-making activities for children and young people, which range from after-school drum bands to courses in sound production.
More than 362,000 children and young people took part in YMI-funded projects under the 2021-22 programme, the majority of those in high-deprivation areas. The funding also supported 1,182 music education posts across all of Scotland’s 32 local authorities.
Mr Robertson marked the funding award with a visit to Murrayburn Primary School in Sighthill, Edinburgh, where he met pupils who have benefitted from the programme, which is administered by Creative Scotland.
The Culture Secretary said: “Music plays a vitally important role in young people’s lives, and beyond developing their wider skills and learning we know these kinds of activities also have a huge positive impact on their confidence and wellbeing.
“We are committed to ensuring every school pupil in Scotland can access a year of free music tuition by the time they leave primary school through the YMI, no matter their background. YMI is focused on creating opportunities for groups of children and young people who may not otherwise have the chance to participate in cultural activity.
“This year’s funding takes our investment in this programme to more than £150 million since 2007, to enable free music tuition for hundreds of thousands of young people, and support thousands of music sector jobs across the country.”
Morag Macdonald, YMI Manager said: “With ongoing support from the Scottish Government, the YMI allows local authorities to deliver programmes like this across Scotland ensuring that children and young people with additional support needs have opportunities to experience the joy and excitement that comes with making music.”
