Young people, social inclusion and the arts
For several years now Karin has been researching and developing projects for young people, including young people at risk and young offenders. She has also evaluated several youth inclusion projects (see evaluation section). Below are examples of the work she has been doing.
Blingin’ (2004 – 2007)
A young people-led creative programme funded by the West Kent Arts Partnership.
Karin took the lead in developing this programme on behalf of five local authority partners and Arts Council England. Working with over 700 young people and more than 50 artists and partners, the project achieved its objectives, which included;
- Giving young people the opportunity to be involved in creative projects that reflect their own tastes, lifestyles and persuasions, experience and culture
- Increasing the opportunities for participation by young people who do not normally have easy access to culture outside of the school environment
- To work with young people at risk of social exclusion
Karin raised £43,000 match funding for the project, undertook the R&D required, worked with partners, managed the project, worked with young people to ensure their interests were being fulfilled, commissioned and maintained the Blingin’ website and evaluated the programme.
Street Space (2005) and The Great Outdoors (2008)
On behalf of Anne Peaker Centre for Arts in Criminal Justice, Karin managed two creative garden projects in areas of high social and economic deprivation in Ashford and Dover. Groups of young people at risk worked with a team of artists and a landscape architect on designing and making communal garden and play areas for their communities. Karin worked in partnership with the owners of the sites and part-funders of the projects, the Southern Housing Group. Both projects were very successful and had a lasting impact on the local environment and community cohesion. | 
