English Heritage Youth Program Fosters Creative Engagement with Historic Sites
English Heritage's national youth engagement initiative, Shout Out Loud, partners with creative organizations to help young people reinterpret heritage sites through artistic practice. The program, led by Senior Partnerships and Participation Manager Dr. Kirsty McCarrison, emphasizes creativity as a bridge for youth to connect with history. Key projects include Animated Histories, a collaboration with Aardman Academy where participants create stop-motion animations inspired by heritage locations; Focal Point, a photography partnership with Photoworks featuring emerging photographers responding to prehistoric stone circles; and Beyond the Plaques, a dance film project with the National Youth Ballet that explores historical narratives. These initiatives provide professional development, paid commissions, and mentoring, aiming to transform young participants from passive observers into active contributors to cultural heritage.
Key facts
- English Heritage runs the Shout Out Loud youth engagement program nationally.
- The program collaborates with organizations like Aardman Academy, Photoworks, and the National Youth Ballet.
- Projects include animation, photography, and dance, offering professional experience and mentoring to young participants.
- Dr. Kirsty McCarrison leads the initiative, promoting creativity as a means to engage with heritage.
- The program aims to shift youth perception of heritage sites from passive spaces to active creative venues.
Entities
Artists
- Sally
- Serena
- Yuxi
Institutions
- English Heritage
- Aardman Academy
- Photoworks
- National Youth Ballet
- We Make Culture
Locations
- Bristol Temple Church
- Stonehenge
- Kenilworth Castle
- London