The New Hope – New Home project, delivered by Greater Shantallow Community Arts (GSCA), is a great example of the important role that the arts can play in breaking down barriers and bringing people from different community backgrounds together.
GSCA was awarded £65,602 in 2021/22 by TEO’s Central Good Relations Fund to deliver this important cross-community good relations project which is contributing to the T:BUC Strategy’s Shared Space key priority.
Studio 2 in Derry-Londonderry was used to create a shared space in which residents, visitors and members of all communities could feel comfortable sharing their religious background and/or cultural traditions.
Through community arts activities, community relations were developed, and isolated and marginalised people from all backgrounds benefited from the welcoming shared space.
Over 160 participants from across the city took part in a programme of weekly workshops in which they developed new skills in oil painting, arts and crafts, singing, tin whistle, dancing, drama and creative writing.
It offered participants an important opportunity to build new friendships and increase resilience in responding to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The highlight was a celebration event at which representatives of five project activities showcased their work.
One participant from the Crafty Owl Arts and Crafts women’s group said: “It has been a very good experience meeting with people from a different community. This is the first experience of this type of thing. I have been treated extremely well and have enjoyed it immensely.”
A member of The Hub/Day Opportunities group who took part in Good Relations arts and crafts and drama workshops said: “I really enjoyed my time going to Studio 2... I would love to go back to Studio 2 and do more acting and drama.”
During the course of the project, GCSA produced a promotional video project: