This is Artivism

This is the Artivism issue of Culture 360, featuring work created by children and young people across East Renfrewshire.

This photography-led issue will plunge you into a colourful world, created against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of the projects faced significant challenges while schools were shut and group sessions could not run. But the spirit of art and activism – artivism – is powerful.

When you’ve been shut indoors for months, an outdoor workshop is a way to reconnect with others. When a global pandemic feels utterly overwhelming, art is an outlet for complex feelings. And when inequality and injustices are starkly revealed in society, taking action and sharing stories gives everyone a voice.

In this issue, you’ll see lockdown through the eyes of young photographers. You’ll see the transformation of a neglected bandstand into an art installation, to brighten up a whole park and reconnect local people to an important outdoor public space. You’ll read about journeys, real and imaginary, and take your own virtual journey through this online storytelling platform.

We hope this issue shows what has been possible during the pandemic restrictions, and that it injects you with optimism: a powerful vaccination in troubled times.

Huge thanks to all the young people who took part in these sessions, and to everyone at Articulate and partner organisations including East Renfrewshire Champions Board who made them happen safely. You can also hear music created by local young people in issue 2.