Wide participation
More than 19,500 people took part in the month-long Festival of Diversity in summer 2007. The Festival’s free and low-cost activities included a mela, concerts, dance performances, circus workshops, theatre productions, fitness events and street parties.
Music and dance
productions celebrate
diversity
John Eley, Oldham Partnership Development Manager, said: “The wide variety of events enabled us to reach a diverse audience – 37 per cent of attendees were from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. In our evaluation of the festival, 78 per cent of those who came along said that the events promoted understanding between people from different communities and backgrounds.”
The Oldham Coliseum Theatre has developed a broad range of arts activities that help children, young people and adults to explore their creative skills. ActingLAB, for example, provides opportunities for adults to get involved in devising and performing a play. Gallery Oldham is another hub for culture and the arts in the area, offering free concerts, craft courses, talks and other activities.
Tailored activities
The Art for All programmes and activities celebrate individual, community and national identity. Many initiatives are designed to meet the needs of specific groups within the community.
Arts activities help
to bring the community
together
The Chrysalis drama group gives people with learning disabilities the chance to take part in theatre productions, while Peshkar Productions supports and develops young British Asian actors and playwrights. The Carnival Arts programme runs workshops, training courses and family sessions, particularly aimed at women in Oldham’s priority wards.
Andrew Kilburn, Chief Executive of Oldham Council, said: “Activities such as the Festival of Diversity and the Carnival Arts programme illustrate what can be achieved when local partners and the local community work hand-in-hand.”
Topics associated with this project
Cohesion, Economy, Local government, Training