Arts

We believe the arts are central to creating positive change in our community.

Visual Arts

Young people setting up cameras for a claymation film in the studios.

‘Visual Arts’ is the broad term used to describe a wide range of art disciplines, including drawing, painting, photography, film, animation, sculpture and digital arts.

A young person’s pen drawing of the Margate Lido Tower.

“Art is not about being good at drawing painting or getting things perfect. It's about giving yourself the chance to experiment, express yourself and what is important to you. It's about finding your voice and exploring different ways to communicate your ideas. I get so excited hearing what young people have to say about their lives and it's my job to help them explore how those ideas can be made into a reality.”

Cherelle - Visual Arts Lead

Visual Arts Lead Cherelle against a confetti background.

“‘It’s helped me sort out my plans, now I have a clear vision of what I want to do’”

Participant Visual Arts

A blank icon of a person against a confetti background.
  • A young person painting a gradient with purple, yellow, green and blue.
  • A young person holds a notebook in front of their face.
  • A young person with an excited expression holds a photo.
  • A tutor is helping a young person display photos on a wall.
  • A young person is making a stop motion animation with paper.
  • A stop motion animation setup with a camera and laptop.
  • A young person glueing together recycled materials to make a sculpture.
  • A group of young people working together on a collage.
  • Boxes surrounding a piece of paper covered with drawings, images and flags.
  • A young person drawing bubble letters with a pen.
  • A large pen drawing of Margate, including GB Pizza Co.
  • An art gallery assistant looking at a creative paper exercise.
  • ‘Save our marine life. Plastic sucks’ on a protest banner.
  • Photos of Margate landmarks and objects, displayed on a rack.
  • An art installation version of the game connect four, made with fabric.
  • A photo of a non-western sculpture, displayed on a wooden frame.
  • ‘If happiness was a cake, what would be the ingredients?’ paper exercise.
  • A young person holds a protest banner made with recycled materials.
  • Three young people hold blue cut-outs by the sea.
  • A collection of ‘Power to the young people’ badges.
  • A fence in our courtyard, covered in young peoples’ designs.
  • A frame on a laptop of a stop motion animation.
  • Two young people making a film on an Ipad.
  • A wooden seagull displayed at Dreamland that was decorated by young people.
  • A sculpture made with vegetables, pom poms and googly eyes.
  • A collage of cultural food shops that can be found in Margate.
  • A young person holding some seaweed at the beach.
  • A football floating on the sea.
  • Some rainbow coloured woven textiles.

Music

Music sessions are open to songwriters, bands, DJs or music fans. Our music studios are stocked with a variety of instruments, recording equipment, and mixing desks - all under the guidance of our Music Lead and Music Assistant.

“I enjoyed the fact that we could really bring our songs to life and just make them have energy. I have gained more confidence and will now start to have more confidence in trying lead guitar in live performances. It would have been better if we could do this forever”

Participant Music

A blank icon of a person against a confetti background.

“I value young people and place great importance in unlocking their potential, building confidence and widening aspirations.”

Joe - Music Lead

Music Lead Joe against a confetti background.
  • Our music studio with drums, guitars and a desk.
  • A young person being recorded on guitar with Music Assistant Tom.
  • An album cover made by a band of young musicians called ‘Malpractice’.
  • CEO Ollie with a young person recording vocals.
  • Some artwork for a single by the band ‘State of Mind UK’.
  • Six young people photographed in black and white on Margate Seafront.
  • A young person being photographed in a photography studio.
  • Three young people filming a music video and rapping.
  • An AEE mixtape cover in the style of De La Soul.
  • Music tutor Robbie mixing a track with a young person.
  • A young person playing the double bass.
  • Two young people wearing jumpers that say ‘Margate Town My Town’.
  • A young person designing a digital collage for an album cover.
  • A young person being filmed for an interview in the music studio.
  • A collection of synthesisers and mixing desks in our music studio.
  • A young person playing drums.

What we offer:

  • 1:1 creative development with our experienced staff

  • Small groups - collaborative projects or shared studio space (Visual arts and Music)

  • 12 - 35 week programmes

  • Holiday projects

Music Participant

“I really enjoyed the studio sessions, it was really fun being able to bring our songs to life and learn more about recordings.”

Visual Arts participant

“I feel like we have a community here”