The University of Lancashire’s Young Creative Centre (YCC) has officially opened its doors ready to welcome artistic youngsters from across Lancashire.
The new Centre will provide creative based workshops for secondary school and further education institutions, using specialised equipment and drawing on expertise from the University's School of Arts and Media.
It will work in partnership with The Harris, as the lead cultural hub of Preston, and the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers will be an esteemed national partner.
The creative industries add £124 billion to the UK economy and they are a key sector that will help drive growth in the coming years. We want to inspire the next generation of talent to take up these subjects so we have the skilled workforce needed for the UK to continue to lead in this area.– Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin
The Centre will help promote creative subjects and nurture local talent in Lancashire, and beyond, by supporting schools and post-16 providers in these areas.
Workshops will teach skills in subjects including printmaking, fashion, media literacy, animation and illustration, and publishing.
The new initiative is based on the Young Scientist Centre (YSC) model, which the University launched in 2015 in partnership with the Royal Institution. It has reached more than 18,000 young people over the last decade with its STEM workshops.
Launching the YCC, University of Lancashire Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin said: “The creative industries add £124 billion to the UK economy and they are a key sector that will help drive growth in the coming years.
“We want to inspire the next generation of talent to take up these subjects so we have the skilled workforce needed for the UK to continue to lead in this area.”
It’s great to see some of the activities we can take part in during the workshops and learn more about the study and career options an interest in creative subjects can lead to.– Lily Taylor from Penwortham Girls’ High School
Lily Taylor, 15, from Penwortham Girls’ High School, attended the Centre’s official opening. She said: “It’s great to see some of the activities we can take part in during the workshops and learn more about the study and career options an interest in creative subjects can lead to.”
Fellow Penwortham Girls’ pupil 15-year-old Helena McLintic added: “Attending workshops at the Young Creative Centre would boost my confidence in seeing a future in the arts as a possible career not just a hobby. I’m most excited about developing my digital media and upcycling skills.”
Head of art and photography at Penwortham Girls Emma Mitchell added: “The Young Creative Centre will provide many opportunities for creative students to build on what they learn at school and show them how these skills can be applied in the wider world. It also exposes them to specialist skills and facilities that aren’t available in schools.”
The Young Creative Centre will provide many opportunities for creative students to build on what they learn at school and show them how these skills can be applied in the wider world.– Head of art and photography at Penwortham Girls Emma Mitchell
Alongside Professor Baldwin, the YCC was officially opened by Professor Peter Lloyd, Dean of the School of Arts and Media, Mayor of Preston Councillor Sue Whittam, Councillor Anna Hindle and President of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers Professor David Ferry PRE.
“The YCC at the University of Lancashire should act as the essential portal to develop the imagination and stimulate invention,” said Professor Ferry. “It is just the place young creative minds can start to develop skills and attitudes that may last a lifetime.
“The Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers is proud to be a leading partner in this significant initiative.”
Schools and other education providers can email the YCC on to book a series of workshops for the second half term, beginning 3 November.
More information is available on the YCC website.
