OUR SERVICES
EMBARKING ON A UNIQUE JOURNEY WITH EVERY CLIENT
OUR SERVICES
EMBARKING ON A UNIQUE JOURNEY WITH EVERY CLIENT
CREATIVE DESIGN
Documentary Digital Films
iBook and eBook Design
Exhibition ConceptS and CuratioN
PUBLICATION DESIGN
CREATIVE CONSULTANCY
Concept Development
Building Partnerships
Audience EngagemenT
ARTIST DEVELOPMENT
CREATIVE LEARNING
The Hero Inside Programmes
Cultural Festivals
Creative Arts ProgrammeS
WHO DO WE WORK WITH?
WE WORK with thinkers and creators that value the life-giving force of creativity and place humanity at the centre of their vision.
WE COLLABORATE with organisations that believe arts and culture, science and technology can inspire us to view the world from fresh perspectives.
WE ASSOCIATE with individuals and companies that are passionate about empowering young voices to usher in a new generation of innovators, thinkers and responsible citizens.
ibook Design
AUDIENCE INTERACTION WITH THE CREATIVE PROCESS
ibook Design
AUDIENCE INTERACTION WITH THE CREATIVE PROCESS
INVISIBLE MAN iBOOK
CONNECTING AUDIENCES
NOMAD designed a digital platform that would collate and document the multi-disciplinary approach engaged by Crying in the Wilderness Productions as they transformed the seminal novel Invisible Man into a piece of theatre. The interactive iBook records in words, pictures and moving images, the creative process. It provides additional context and background information enabling audiences to attain a deeper understanding of the company's approach ahead of the performance.
ENGAGE with interactive widget
MULTI-TOUCH Learning Review
SWIPE for Gallery of Images
CREATIVE
INSPIRATION
The Invisible Man iBook goes beyond the written word and enables the reader to interact and explore the company's creative process by swiping across galleries and exploring the actor's journey.
The historical and cultural context of the narrative is revealed through movies and audio recordings. The Blue Note jazz album covers provided inspiration for the typography and page design.
CONSULTANCY
PURPOSE OF THE iBOOK
Our primary intention was to introduce the seminal novel Invisible Man to a new audience by utilising the multi-touch iBook digital platform for ipads.
The strategic intentions of the iBook were to make the complex themes in the narrative easily accessible to a younger audience and provide further insight about the author to members of the audience who were familiar with his seminal work.
E-Theatrebook
ENHANCING AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT
E-Theatrebook
ENHANCING AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT
CONUNDRUM E-THEATRE BOOK
DOCUMENTING THE CREATIVE PROCESS
The Conundrum e-Theatre Book was designed to be a companion piece to the play downloaded onto a mobile device and viewed before or after the production.
The e-Theatre Book provides context and background information on Crying in the Wilderness Productions' creative process to bring Conundrum to the stage.
WATCH the performance
LISTEN to the musicians
EXPLORE the choreography
CREATIVE
INSPIRATION
NOMAD created an interactive e-Theatrebook that would enable the audience to engage with the complex themes in the play before the production.
Audience members can investigate the different elements of the play, explore the protagonist's emotional state and discover the director's creative process. For example, a series of short films illustrate how the director's used music and lighting during the performance to animate the character's state of mind.
The multi-media platform introduces the audience to the complex themes in the play and includes a guided tour of each scene, a documentation of the actor's creative journey, information on the accompanying musical score and provides a breakdown of the protagonist's Life in Review.
CONSULTANCY
PURPOSE OF E-BOOK
After reading the script, it was identified that the audience would benefit from access to additional information about the complex themes explored in the play and the company's creative process. In contrast to a printed programme, the e-Theatrebook provides the audience with multi-media platform. They watch, listen, read and engage with the whole creative process of bringing a play to the stage. It is an interactive and responsive engagement tool.
Ultimately, the e-Theatrebook is designed to inspire personal reflection in parallel with the character in the play. The elements selected for the e-book mirror the protagonist's journey and encourage the audience to undertake their own Life Review.
The Conundrum R&D project was funded by the Arts Council England and advocates new writing.
E-Notebook
ENHANCING AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT
E-Notebook
ENHANCING AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT
THE WRITER'S NOTEBOOK
CAPTURING THE DIRECTOR'S CREATIVE PROCESS
STEP THEATRE ARTS FESTIVAL, LONDON
The concept for the Writer's Notebook was developed after the delivery of the during the Southwark Theatre Partnership Theatre (STEP) Arts Festival. It was designed to encapsulate the complex and unique approach taken by the director to engage the young people with Autism and Aspergers Syndrome in the creative process of storytelling.
LISTEN to audio recordings
EXPLORE the photographic journey
WATCH film extracts
CREATIVE
INSPIRATION FOR THE WRITER'S E-NOTEBOOK
The Writer's E-Notebook was developed to evoke the qualities of a storyboard and an artist's sketchbook giving the reader an insight into the director's creative mind set while devising a programme.
To communicate the director's creative process we wanted to illustrate how their initial concept was transformed into the workshops. We used a range of apps to convert the original photographs into graphic drawings, this technique added texture and tone to the images evoking a writer's notebook. We then transposed these images with film footage and audio clips from the actual workshops. The final effect communicates the creative journey and reveals the dynamic interaction between the students, musicians and choreographer.
CONSULTANCY
ADVOCATING A HOLISTIC APPROACH
We transformed our documentary material: photographs, film footage and audio clips from the Crying in the Wilderness Productions workshops with the musicians and choreographer, into a Writers E-Notebook.
The concept allowed us to creatively animate the director's specialised storytelling approach to engaging students with Autism and Aspergers Syndrome and present the work in an interactive digital format told from a unique perspective.
E-Storybook
THE SECRET RHYTHM OF THE DANCE
E-Storybook
THE SECRET RHYTHM OF THE DANCE
E-STORYBOOK
EXTENDING INTERACTION WITH THE STORY
STEP THEATRE ARTS FESTIVAL, LONDON
The concept for the audi0-visual E-Storybook was developed after the delivery of the Southwark Theatre Educational Partnership (STEP) Arts Festival. The E-book was designed to enable the participants to re-connect to the project, engage peers and family with their story and archive the process for Crying in the Wilderness Productions.
LISTEN to audio narration
WATCH film extracts
READ the animated text
CREATIVE
SUSTAINING ENGAGEMENT
The audio-visual design of the E-storybook included photographs, film footage and sound clips from the play that were animated through a series ipad apps. These elements were layered alongside typography and narration to tell the story of The Secret Rhythm of the Dance. The size, dimension, style and movement of the fonts mirrored the action in the story creating a dynamic experience for the viewer.
The E-storybook concept bought the notion of a storybook into a contemporary context and by using digital technology the special needs participants where able to view their story collectively on an interactive whiteboard in the classroom or at home on a smartphone or ipad with their family.
CONSULTANCY
PURPOSE OF THE E-STORYBOOK
During the project it was evident that the students made a real connection to the story they had created with the creative director, musicians and the choreographer. Inspired by CITWP's workshop process, NOMAD felt it was important to provide an accessible medium for students to return to their story after the project and so the E-storybook was conceived.
The E-storybook concept highlight the special needs participants creative potential and enable them to see themselves as storytellers as they became an animated digital tale. The play that they performed would now be immortalised in the pages of the E-storybook that they could be shared again and again on an interactive whiteboard, a smartphone or on an ipad with their family. A empowering legacy.
GLOBAL CULTURES
A MULTI-SENSORY APPROACH TO LEARNING
GLOBAL CULTURES
A MULTI-SENSORY APPROACH TO LEARNING
“The ‘Identity’ theme explores the diversity of the students in the school and involves the community providing a rich, board and innovative curriculum.”
EXPERIENCE GLOBAL CULTURE
Concept Development, Creative Director, Artist Development, Teacher Training, Exhibition Curation, Film Direction
Trevor Blackwood was commissioned to consult Surrey Square on how cultural learning and identity can develop well-being and raise achievement.
The company devised a one-week intensive cultural arts learning programme that used the arts as a catalyst to immerse the participants, teachers and local community in the culture and heritage of Ghana, West Africa.
GHANA
Ghana was selected as it was the 1st African country to gain independence in 1957.
CREATIVE
CREATIVITY AND ACTIVE INVESTIGATION
Creativity and active investigation were placed at the heart of the experience to ensure the learning was contextualised and engaging for the participants. The programme established a platform for creative play.
African artists and musicians delivered specialist drumming, actor-in-role, jewellery design, Oware and dance workshops enabling participants to discover the value in their own and others' heritage and culture.
Teachers used the learning resource and exhibition to extend the exploration in the classroom. A final event invited the wider community and parents to experience and engage in rich Ghanaian culture.
CONSULTANCY
PROVIDING A PLATFORM FOR DISCOVERY
95% of the participants at Surrey Square School were of African heritage, many had become disengaged and disillusioned about learning. Therefore, it was vital to create a vibrant and relevant cultural learning environment to reconnect the African descent participants to their rich culture heritage and ignite a genuine desire to investigate their own culture at home and within their wider community.
To establish the context for the programme, teacher development was essential. Cultural experts exposed teachers to the value and methods of learning that can be achieved when another cultural perspective leads the curriculum, inspiring creativity and exchange of ideas.
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
EXHIBITION, PERFORMANCE AND CULTURAL ARTS WORKSHOPS
EXPERIENCE GHANA
WORKSHOPS WITH SPECIALISTS
The Ghanaian artists workshops were woven into the core curriculum. The Oware game, drumming and dance were integrated into maths and the meanings of the Akan Adinkra symbols provided a platform for complex philosophical discussions among peers and teachers throughout the week. Some participants worked in-role as advisors to Ghana's first president - Kwame Nkrumah.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT
A public event concluded the week of exploration and engaged the wider community, giving the participants a platform to share their discoveries.
Parents and visitors had an opportunity to experience elements of the Ghanaian culture and the artists' workshops. The event facilitated intercultural dialogue, deepened respect & understanding between the diverse community groups.
EXPLORE SPECIALIST WORKSHOPS
GLOBAL FOCUS FILM
“Jack had a chance to sample the Ghanaian culture and see how other people lived. There should be more projects like this because there will be less ignorance in the community.”
OWARE
ANCIENT GHANAIAN BOARD GAME
OWARE
ANCIENT GHANAIAN BOARD GAME
“Oware is reputed to be the oldest game on earth dating back at least 15,000 years. Its origins can be traced back to the Sumerians of ancient Africa.”
OWARE GHANAIAN BOARD GAME
DEVELOPING STRATEGY AND REVEALING HISTORY
Oware is the national game of Ghana. It was originally devised as an accounting system and later used as a tool to develop numeracy skills. The game travelled outside of the African continent due to the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade and can be found in India, the Middle East, the Far East and the Caribbean under a different name such as Dakon in the Philippines.
Oware was selected for the Ghana programme for many reasons. Firstly, it has a rich cultural and social history and secondly, it is a game that can be used to develop a range of skills in young people. To play Oware a great deal of concentration is required along with the ability to calculate quickly and strategise to outwit your opponent.
The game is ideal for developing kinaesthetic learners and collaborative skills.
Yvonne Osafa delivered our Oware workshops.
ADINKRA SYMBOLS
WEST AFRICAN WISDOM OF THE AKAN PEOPLE
ADINKRA SYMBOLS
WEST AFRICAN WISDOM OF THE AKAN PEOPLE
“It was really interesting to discover the meanings behind the Adinkra symbols. They can really help you live your life.”
ADINKRA SYMBOLS A CODE FOR LIVING
EXPLORING WEST AFRICAN WISDOM
African Adinkra symbols are ubiquitous in Ghana they are found on cloth, walls, pottery, gates, logos and within people's homes. Their complex symbolism and meaning are attributed to the Asante tribe in West Africa and the Ivory Coast.
Cultural experts encouraged the participants to identify an Adinkra symbol that resonated with them. Each meaning was discussed in detail and linked to how the Ghanaian communities apply these ancient symbols to day to day living. They are vibrant reminders of the complexity of their ancient culture.
SANKOFA 'return and get it' Symbolising the importance of learning from the past
ACTOR-IN-ROLE
KWAME NKRUMAH - LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS
ACTOR-IN-ROLE
KWAME NKRUMAH - LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS
“After the Kwame Nkrumah workshop I realised how strong a leader you needed to be to gain independence for Ghana. It took many steps and difficult decisions.”
ADVISING A LEADER KWAME NKRUMAH
ACTOR-IN-ROLE: Participants AS ADVISORS
The participants took part in an actor in-role workshop with Kwame Nkrumah. The leadership session enabled them to explore the steps required to to be the first African nation to secure independence from Britain in 1957 and restore the country’s name to Ghana removing the colonial Gold Coast label.
As advisors, the participants explored the future hopes and aspirations of a country approaching independence. The symbolism behind the country's new flag was explored collectively. Students were also encouraged to consider their own future aspirations and recognise their personal leadership qualities.
'Divided we are weak; united, Africa could become one of the greatest forces for good in the world.' Kwame Nkrumah, 1961
CULTURAL FESTIVALS
UPC CARNIVAL PROGRAMME
CULTURAL FESTIVALS
UPC CARNIVAL PROGRAMME
“The UPC Carnival Programme gave the children a greater sense of cohesion as a community and the Teacher Development Day gave us an insight into the historical context of carnival. ”
CARNIVAL ARTS PROJECT
DISCOVERING MEANING AND PURPOSE TO CARNIVAL
Cultural Consultancy, Artist Management and Development, Teacher Training, Film and Photography Direction, Learning Resource
Nomad consulted and collaborated with Creative Elements to devise and produce a Cultural Arts Programme that would overcome barriers to learning and provide opportunities for participants to build better relationships and feel a greater sense of cohesion.
Our consultancy provided depth, history context and integrity to the cultural arts programme.
CREATIVE
EMBEDDING EXPRESSIVE ARTS INTO THE CURRICULUM
Cultural Arts Creative Learning was integrated into the curriculum enabling kinaesthetic and visuals learners to excel. Emphasis was placed on activities that fostered respect for each others' cultural differences and similarities.
Our objective was achieved by facilitating opportunities for specialist carnival designers, visual and performing artists to work alongside participants, using the vehicle of carnival arts to explore the festival's historical and cultural significance in London.
CONSULTANCY
PURPOSE AND IMPORTANCE OF CARNIVAL
Teacher development was essential to provide context and give an insight into the cultural heritage of their participants. The deeper purpose and meaning behind carnival: a celebration of emancipation and freedom in African-Caribbean and African culture was revealed.
The programme was designed to enable schools from across the borough to collaborate in a meaningful way, by removing social barriers and building bridges between different London communities through the power of the creative arts.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE POETRY WORKSHOPS AND FINAL PROCESSION
WORKSHOP PROGRAMME
ARTISTS' WORKSHOPS OVER 10 WEEKS
120 gifted and talented students from all three schools were selected to participate in a number of specialist workshops with professional artists and expressive arts experts.
Each school took responsibility for hosting a workshop programme and welcomed participants into their unique learning environment. The workshops included: Lead Affirmation Costume Design, Drumming, Dance and Performance Poetry that lead the opening ceremony of the carnival at Brimmington Park.
PROVIDING CONTEXT
CULTURAL HISTORY INSPIRED DESIGNS
Specialist African descent artists whose cultural heritage and experience reflected the values and the objectives of the programme. In collaboration with Creative Elements we delivered a series of professional development sessions for teachers and provided a learning resource to integrate the historical context of carnival and a range of creative strategies into their mainstream teaching.
These Teacher Development sessions took place at the former Heritage of African Descendants Museum in Lambeth.
IMPACT
SHINING LIGHTS: RESILIENT COMMUNITIES conference at the TATE MODERN showcased the UPC project as a model of best practice for uniting communities and inspiring learning through the creative arts.
SOUTHWARK COUNCIL featured the UPC project in their Beacon Status case studies publication as the programme engaged the wider community including the Mayor of Southwark, local MP's, community wardens, the police, local businesses and parents.
MEDIA
A documentary film was produced to capture the creative process of the project from inception to delivery. Includes interviews with Clary Salandy from Mahogany and Sarah Nunn from Creative Elements.
TEACHERS TV NEWS showcased the innovative Cultural Festivals Project, United Peckham Carnival (UPC), on their national news programme to coincide with the launch of the Government's new community cohesion directive for schools.
TEACHING TRAINING
HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
TEACHING TRAINING
HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
“The Teacher Development Day gave us an insight into the historical context of carnival. The ‘What is Creativity Session’ provided the staff with a great focus on the value of arts to promote learning across the curriculum.”
TEACHER DEVELOPMENT
HISTORY OF CARNIVAL & CREATIVE LEARNING POTENTIAL
In collaboration with Creative Elements, we delivered a series of professional development sessions for teachers at former Heritage of African Descendants Museum. We identified a number of specialist artists, whose cultural heritage and experience reflected the values and the objectives of the programme, to lead the cultural elements of the training day.
Internationally acclaimed Artistic Director Clary Salandy from Mahogany Arts explored the origins of carnival and the evolution of costume design from Africa to London. The deeper purpose and meaning behind carnival: a celebration of emancipation and freedom in African-Caribbean and African culture was revealed. The internationally acclaimed photographer and artist Charlie Phillips shared 'The History of the Steel Pan' and the role of Claudia Jones in establishing the Notting Hill Carnival in London.
Sarah Nunn, the creative learning expert, actively demonstrated how to plan and integrate the elements of carnival into literacy, numeracy, science, art and citizenship. This session was accompanied with exploration of the learning resource . Teachers TV featured the project on TTV News as a leading example of the government's community cohesion directive.
PERFORMANCE POETRY
PERFORMANCE POETRY
“We explored different materials and discovered imaginative ways to use colour and form to create dynamic costumes. I am confident we can adapt and modify the ideas across the school with all our students .”
PERFORMANCE POETRY WORKSHOPS
Each school took responsibility for hosting a workshop programme and welcoming participants to their learning environment.
Performance Poetry workshops were led by acclaimed writer and director Olusola Oyeleye. Each school took responsibility for hosting a workshop programme and welcoming participants to their learning environment.
inspiring the performance poetry that explored unity, hope and harmony.
DESIGN WORKSHOPS
DESIGN WORKSHOPS
“We explored different materials and discovered imaginative ways to use colour and form to create dynamic costumes. I am confident we can adapt and modify the ideas across the school with all our students .”
DESIGN WORKSHOPS
INVESTIGATING COLOUR, FORM & THE SCIENCE OF DESIGN
The programme of design workshops for teachers were led by internationally acclaimed artist and designer Clary Salandy from Mahogany Arts. Teachers investigated the science of design by exploring the properties of different materials, investigated scale, 3D construction and the symbolism of colour and shape to communicate a story, a key element of carnival processions.
Sarah Nunn facilitated a session that enabled teachers to synthesis the experience and identify ways to differentiate the approaches for students aged 5 to 11 years old
120 Gifted and Talented students from across all three schools were selected to work with Mahogany Arts to produce three Affirmation costumes that would led the procession to Brimmington Park. The participants designed and constructed the three lead costumes, each design was rooted in symbolism and meaning and inspired by the natural elements.
COMIC BOOK EXHIBITION
THE HERO INSIDE PROGRAMME: LONDON
COMIC BOOK EXHIBITION
THE HERO INSIDE PROGRAMME: LONDON
EXHIBITION OVERVIEW
THE HISTORY OF HERU
“This exhibition lit up something inside me about who we are as people and the importance to stand strong in self. We are all heroes. ”
CONTEXT FOR THE HERO INSIDE PROGRAMME
The curator researched the origins of a hero to provide context for the exhibition. The origin of the hero is rooted in African/Egyptian allegory of Heru, often referred to as Horus by the Greeks. Heru was symbolic of the rising sun - the light. Heru then became the prototype of the ‘Hero,’ the role model for humanity. Participants were encouraged to 'look within' and to identify real heroes within their family and community as opposed to superheroes that rely on external powers.
THE GOLDEN LEGACY
THE CLASSIC AFRICAN AMERICAN COMIC BOOK COLLECTION
The Golden Legacy is a classic collection of illustrated biographical accounts of the significant achievements of African American men and women throughout history. The Collection was integrated into the programme. The perspective of the comic books instilled pride and raised the self-esteem of the African descent participants. The stories replaced myths with an appreciation for the contributions that others have made to our current society in science, arts and leadership.
“I found the exhibition very interesting and enlightening. A good way to talk about black heroes past and present in current society. ”
TEACHING RESOURCE
INSPIRING INVESTIGATION AND ENCOURAGING CREATIVITY
The teaching resource provided teachers with the strategies and resources to look beyond the limited role models assigned to the black community: a footballer, musician or actor. Aspirational stories of pioneering scientists, explorers and leaders were promoted and a series of lesson plans and activities enabled the teachers to integrate the 'Hero Inside' programme into the main stream curriculum.
“This project has been really successful in facilitating opportunities to engage children in thinking about concepts of justice and fairness. ”
YOUNG PEOPLE'S EXHIBITION
alongside professional ARTISTS
The Focused Group's insights and creative work was placed at the centre of the exhibition. Sketchbooks, comic strips and discoveries from the workshops were displayed. Interactive areas where set up where the young people could explore short visual sketches on the ‘Etch a Sketch’ and 'Viewfinders' in which the main characters were from African Caribbean. A film of the different stages and elements of the project played on a loop on two wooden televisions.
“Great exhibition. Very informative. The children completed very inspiring work. I hope this project will go forward and empower other young people to believe in their abilities. ”
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT
WELCOMING THE WIDER COMMUNITY
The aim of the exhibition at the Menier Gallery was to raise the awareness of the achievements of the African descent community: past and present. The present being the young artists' creations. The exhibition was curated to encourage intercultural dialogue. The different perspectives generated as a result of the creative arts initiative triggered an exchange of ideas and thinking among the public and schools that attended.
“An excellent example of how creative learning can be used to enable young people to learn about history and themselves. Very Inspiring.”
ABU DHABI PROGRAMME
ABU DHABI PROGRAMME
“The purpose of the exhibition was to display students’ multi-media work alongside professional artists’ who use the medium of comic arts to express their history and views of the world.”
THE HERO INSIDE PROGRAMME
ABU DHABI FESTIVAL 2014
CREATIVE
CONTENT OF THE PROGRAMME
The Hero Inside Programme was developed to compliment the Abu Dhabi Festival's 2014 theme on Creative Innovation. The initiative was delivered in three stages in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and twofour54.
CONSULTANCY
DESIGN OF THE PROGRAMME
The Hero Inside Programme: Abu Dhabi was a bespoke two month arts initiative developed by Trevor Blackwood, Nomad Creative Consultancy and commissioned by Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation.
TEACHER TRAINING & ONLINE RESOURCE
EXPLORING THE CREATIVE WORKSHOP PROGRAMME
The training day introduced teachers to the Hero Inside philosophy and creative approach. Participants experienced first-hand the drama writing strategies and explored the online learning resource. LEARN MORE
STAGE ONE CREATE FROM WITHIN
DRAMA WRITING & WELL BEING WORKSHOPS
In Stage One participants were guided through a series of workshops with industry experts: The Hero Inside London team. A secure and safe environment was created to facilitate heightened interaction and personal discovery. DISCOVER MORE
STAGE TWO ILLUSTRATE YOUR STORY
ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOPS TO DEVELOP CHARACTERS
Stage Two took place at tadreeb, twofour54. The Creative Director prepared the illustrators at tadreeb to deliver a series of illustration workshops to introduce new drawing techniques to animate their stories. READ MORE
STAGE THREE EXHIBIT
PUBLIC MULTI-MEDIA EXHIBITION
The two-month programme culminated in a public multi-media exhibition showcasing the creative achievements of the four participating schools and New York University, Abu Dhabi at The Space, twofour54 during the Abu Dhabi Festival 2014.
ABU DHABI PROGRAMME PARTNERS
- New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)
- Sheikh Zayed Private Academy
- Al Bateen Secondary School
- Al Muna School
- Glenelg School
LONDON PROGRAMME
LONDON PROGRAMME
“The Young People became aware that they also have the ability to achieve, because they have a ‘heroic potential inside’ themselves.”
THE HERO INSIDE PROGRAMME
CREATIVITY, IDENTITY, CULTURAL HERITAGE & WELL-BEING
The arts initiative developed was a multi-dimensional programme to address the key concerns identified by Southwark. Low self-esteem and under achievement were significantly affecting the life chances among young people, especially boys of African descent.
CREATIVE
DEVELOPING COLLABORATIVE LEARNING
The Comic Arts Concept was developed for the Hero Inside programme in London as it was felt this dynamic art form would excite the young fertile minds of any disengaged young person. The stories challenged their thinking calling for a critical response, promoting problem solving and sparking discussions with peers. The creative elements weaved into The Hero Inside Comic Arts Programme were drama, script writing, illustration and digital technology.
CONSULTANCY
PROMOTING POSITIVE ROLE MODELS
It was essential that the programme gave young people access to positive self-images and stories that promoted their cultural identity and raised their self-esteem. The Golden Legacy Historical Comic Book series was selected to raise awareness of the achievements of African descent people and act as a catalyst or inspiring the participant's own aspirations. A specialist Focused Group programme was developed for 30 participants and held at the former Heritage of Afrikan Descendents Museum.
INSET DAY & LEARNING RESOURCE
EXPLORING THE STAGES OF THE PROGRAMME
The training day at the Heritage of African Descendants prepared teachers for the three month programme. The session introduced the 'Hero Inside' philosophy of the programme, a range of drama strategies and the learning resource.
STAGE ONE CREATE FROM WITHIN
DRAMA WRITING WORKSHOPS
In Stage One students were guided through a series of story writing workshops with industry experts from the world of theatre, TV and film. A secure environment was created to facilitate heightened interaction and personal discovery among the participants.
STAGE TWO DRAW YOUR STORY
ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOPS
The illustration workshops were led by illustrator Olu Oke. The main objective of the session focused on empowering students to confidently draw their own hair, eyes and nose, the features that define our identity and are often sidelined in popular mainstream comic books.
FOCUSED GROUP SELF-ESTEEM
SPECIAL PROGRAMME
Each school selected 5 students that would benefit from an intense programme of workshops that focused on exploring cultural heritage within a secure and interactive creative learning space. The sessions boosted self-esteem, raised aspirations and enabled participants to overcome shyness and anxiety.
STAGE THREE EXHIBIT
PUBLIC EXHIBITION
The comic arts project culminated in a public exhibition at the Menier Gallery showcasing the creative achievements and personal discoveries of the six participating schools alongside the inspirational Golden Legacy Comic Book Series and a limited edition collection of African American comics. EXPLORE FURTHER
FIND YOUR VOICE
RADIO PROGRAMME
Lyndhurst school utilised their radio station to interview participants from other schools about the notion of a hero and what they had learnt about themselves during the programme.
The Hero Inside Programme featured at the following conferences: National Strategies, Southwark Inclusion and Capita Community Cohesion conference.
“At the conference, colleagues experienced the high quality of the ‘Hero Inside’ work, the workshop was impressive and of a very high standard”