In January 2012 ARC put forward a proposal to deliver an enterprise project that would offer young people aged 14-19 an opportunity to develop their skills in market research, communications, promotion and event management.

The project offers 10 young people from Stockton on Tees the opportunity to work with ARC to carry out market research on arts and cultural activity in Stockton and subsequently design, implement and promote new and relevant activity for the organisation, and in April ARC developed and worked with youth enterprise group 2020 Vision. They conducted research into vintage café cultures and trends before designing and hosting an event Take Stock N Swing on Sat 28 Apr. This was an evening of swing dance classes, swing bands, vintage stalls and retro revival. After much success there has been proven demand for further swing style events to be held at ARC – subsequently we will be scheduling 2 swing dance workshops in autumn term.

This project has finished and left a true youth enterprise legacy that will be supported through Eventure. ARC delivered Stockton Dance Festival on Saturday 14 July. The event was an extravaganza of dance performances and workshops spread over three different locations in Stockton Town Centre. The project utilised Event Academy – a group of young people Not in Education, Training or Employment who are working with Tees Achieve over the summer period on event management. They supported Stockton Dance Festival with promotion, catering and ran an activity area. ARC would like to build on the relationship with this group to further develop their enterprise skills, with specific focus on creative thinking, promotion and event management.

These developments present opportunities for Eventure to:

• Support a group of young people Not in Employment, Education or Training who have already engaged with cultural and enterprise opportunities within Stockton
• Further develop the 20:20 Vision legacy work

Find out more on how to get involved.