The transferability of the ARTs PEP approach
ArtsPEP as a product of three years working in a wide ranging partnership, has developed a transferable and widely applicable form that can in its own way become a starting point for change for many in our community that sit at the outer reaches of regular service provision. By applying the ArtsPEP approach in partnership with hosting organisations as has been done during the term of this Development Partnership, those organisations , those they serve and Arts Companies can achieve results and progress that is tangible and as a result credible.
The Arts Participation for Employability Project has closed but the fruit of our partnership will continue as an application that carries that vital reach often required by those that are, for a variety of reasons, dislocated within our community. The ArtsPEP approach can enable change, new partnerships and alliances to occur as this is the progressive and inevitable way forward for community working. But most vitally, ArtsPEP and its approach takes the road to change.
Basic skills and employability
To use the Arts as an effective tool to develop individuals is not a new idea – the ArtsPEP approach, however, is very original. The main innovation of the ArtsPEP approach is the deliberate use of the Arts project as a vehicle to develop personal effectiveness and employability skills and to progress, monitor and measure this development throughassessment and feedback. It is widely recognised that Arts Projects have been successfully used to develop Basic Skills. With the ArtsPEP approach,Basic Skills are developed, but the Arts project and its success are also instrumental as motivational tools in developing the whole person.
By using the ArtsPEP approach – the combination of an Arts Project and the Award in Personal Effectiveness and Employability - we have found that the whole philosophy of an organisation can be positively affected. This is achieved by engaging everyone with both central and peripheral responsibility for the participants. It also extends the benefits gained within the Arts projects and workshops across the organisation as a whole. The positive and measurable results on participant’s overall progress and personal development underline the success of ArtsPEP.
Client Support Unit, Coventry City Council
As a result of the positive feedback we received and a good job outcome rate following the delivery of Fusion, CSU decided to use this style of delivery in the new and exciting LEGI programme (Local Enterprise Growth Initiative) recently launched in Coventry that was designed to Inspire & Engage disadvantaged people to predominately start their own businesses and move into employment The team at CSU have received positive feedback from participants and deliverers and hope to continue this successful partnership and style of delivery.
Community & Education, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
Fundamentally for us, the ArtsPEP methodology offers Arts organisations a clear framework whereby the personal, social and economic benefits of participation in the Arts activity can be clearly measured and evidenced. We have also enjoyed immensely the added value community arts activity can have when delivered as part of acomplete service that supports individuals holistically – from job search and cv writing to dealing with debt and mental ill health. We have seen individuals flourish and grow on our programmes, and to know that they are then guided in channeling the benefits of this growth into taking their next steps is hugely rewarding. The Belgrade is now keen to collaborate with partners interested in the ArtsPEP methodology to develop programmes of work that suit the needs of the city’s and the country’s marginalised communities.
