Helen Marshall RAP

rap

RAP - FREE FORM 2006

Hackney’s first ever Resettlement and Aftercare Provision (RAP) Youth Arts programme. Designed by Free Form Arts Trust, in partnership with Hackney Youth Offending Team this year long course offers a variety of creative activities for local young people as part of the Youth Justice Board’s RAP initiative – introduced as a resettlement provision for young people in custody with specific misuse/ mental health difficulties.

Artists work directly with 30-40 participants, providing them with an introduction to practical artistic techniques, including body casting, screen printing, cartoon drawing, animation, graphic design, digital imaging, photography, pewter casting, film and video.

The technology was made very accessible and straightforward through the use of specific user friendly programs and plug and play cameras. We offered a full range of choices and were very clear from the start that they could do what they want and even spend the budget as they chose, such as music downloads. I did not behave like a teacher, neither did I set a list of aims and objectives or expectations that required them to refine their material. The atmosphere was very laid back, gentle and easy going, with clear emphasis on trust in their own self-directed learning. Many of them latched onto music software and started to make quite remarkable soundtracks. Others went out on location shooting video and interviewing members of the public. All the sound and footage was gathered at the end of the sessions using some of the planning time to make an archive of sound and visual material. This was then passed to a VJ to make a collective work that is to be screened at the party.

The lack of emphasis on creating a final outcome was the key to success in these workshops and the willingness to be flexible and change planning according to circumstances.

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