Neath Port Talbot Council’s Arts Development team have successfully secured a European Social Fund grant through the Arts Council of Wales as part of The Reach The Heights initiative to create and produce The Icon Project, a film multi- media arts project to engage young people between the ages of 11 and 19 years of age who are, or at risk of being classified as being NEET.
The Icon Project is based on welsh iconic role models past present and future. 200 young people will receive over 400 engaging workshops over a 12 month period that will include: Animation, Music Composition and Software Editing, Creative Writing, Graffiti Design, Green Screen Production, Film Making, Directing, Animatronics, Special Effects, Production Design., Acting for Film, Puppetry, Marketing for Film and Gaming Design.
The project which has been endorsed and supported by local icon and Hollywood star Michael Sheen said “The Icon Project is an exciting multi-media project involving workshops in all related creative industries, and I believe it will be particularly appealing for these young people.
The process of film making from start to finish will give these young people an educational and inspirational insight into the industry whilst they develop personal skills that will stay with them throughout their lives.”
Helping to deliver the project and support the young people participating will be a series of partners and agencies including Dewis Housing, NPT Homes, Positive Directions, MEAS, NPTCBC Youth Offending and Youth Service, Communities First and NPTCBC Sports, Arts and Education.
The Icon Project is supported by Media Partner Bay Radio 102.1. Workshops will be delivered by industry professionals that include BBC Wales Its My Shout, Chapter Arts, Winding Snake Productions, Buffoon Film and Media, Octagon Productions, Visible Music, Community Music Wales, Media Education Wales and from BBC2’s Dragon’s Den the British DJing and MCing Academy.
Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council Ali Thomas said “This is a wonderful opportunity through grant funding from the European Social Fund and the Arts Council of Wales to engage with these young people in an extremely innovative arts and media project. Not only will they participate in a diverse and extensive selection of over 400 multi-media and creative workshops but they will also have the opportunity to gain accredited OCN qualifications where appropriate.
Inspirational trips to the Cinema, Theatre and Radio/TV Studios are also part of this ambitious and borough wide ESF arts project for young people that are age 11-19 who are or at risk of being classified of being NEET.
Neath Port Talbot Council are proud of its young people and their significant contribution to its communities. This inspiring project will aim to encourage these particular young people to actively re-engage with education, employment and training through an arts provision we at NPT are extremely proud of and by doing so provide them with valuable life and work skills.”
