Springboard Programme: Why young people love arts-based learning

The National Springboard Programme is a free arts-based programme teaching young people Black British history through the lens of music, art and spoken word. Sessions run each month (starting July) in London, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol. Click here to find out how to book a spot for a free workshop in your local city. Ahead of our Springboard launch in London on 24 July, some of our team shared why they think arts-based learning is important and what they are most looking forward to when teaching the programme.

Janique - Digital Comms Lead, Manchester

Engaging with the arts through music and spoken word is essential to young people’s experience, arts-based learning gives young people the opportunity to express their ideas and thoughts and work creatively. Allowing young people to be creative is good for their well-being and can also help improve health and happiness. Learning through the arts encourages self-expression and can build confidence as well as a sense of individual identity. There is something special about participating in arts-based learning, it gives young people a chance to step outside their comfort zone and as they improve, they will see their own progress and their self-confidence will continue to grow.

When young people learn through the arts, they gain the opportunity to acquire new skills, as well as knowledge of different art forms. The way art is taught means that interaction with other students is different. Students are able to form bonds easily with classmates because of their shared interests and ideas. You can sign up here to be a part of this fantastic programme and learn Black British history through music.

Kacea - Educator, Manchester

Arts-based learning is important for young people because it allows them to tap into their creativity, their imagination and it also helps to improve their confidence. Black Britons have historically and to this day had a huge impact on the arts, therefore it is an important part of Black British history to learn about, I believe that the arts-based method greatly complements this learning.

The arts are under attack in the UK, funds and budgets are constantly being cut. Now more than ever it is important to platform the arts as without this industry our culture wouldn't be as rich or beautiful. The arts-based approach is able to make even the most rigid and academic learning fun and engaging. Our sessions within Springboard are designed to get young people excited about history, we ensure this through the use of practical activities, encouraging expression and centring storytelling.

After over a year of virtual events, I am really looking forward to teaching in person and in groups! I have missed this valuable interaction. Springboard will be a memorable day together learning great things about Black British history, I am sure the young people will begin to build long-lasting friendships and networks because of it. This will be very special to witness.

Watching the global growth of the BLM movement in 2020 it was incredible to see a younger cohort of people become aware and engaged in conversations around race and identity. I am looking forward to hearing their insights, experiences, and ideas for the future in the Springboard sessions. 

I am really excited to teach young people in a regional scope, sadly this was something I had never experienced whilst at school. We have designed Springboard lessons that highlight key figures and events that took place within their cities. I hope this will be of great interest to the young people attending, many may even know the familiar names and faces of those we learn about!

Our mission is to empower young people by equipping them with the knowledge of Black British history that most schools are failing to share. As I am Black and British, this is a great honour, a huge responsibility but ultimately a very fulfilling mission.

 Tiana - Educator, London and Bristol 

Arts-based learning reinforces the fact that learning is universal and there is no 'right' way to process information. The ability to express yourself through whichever medium you feel most attracted to means you can expand your creativity and knowledge in your own way. Often, we emphasise grades and numbers, which are important, but it's equally important to explore our talents through activities outside of tests and exams. Learning through the arts encourages us to consider our processes and how we work through something, rather than only being concerned with the goal or outcome of it.

I am most looking forward to meeting and teaching children about their history in a new way that they may have not encountered before. I hope Springboard can instil in our participants a renewed sense of identity and a deeper understanding of the contextual and historical events that shape our present and our future. Black history is extremely important and integral to how we see the world and I have benefitted from being taught about it in the past, so I want Springboard to be able to give that same benefit to them too. 

Come and join us in your local city! Sign up your child to get them involved in fun and creative ways of learning Black history this summer. It’s free! Find out when we will next be delivering a session near you, here.

You can learn more about The Black Curriculum and Black British history by clicking here where you can browse our services,   resources, activities and more.

Written by Janique Berryman, Kacea Omeje, Tiana Kristeen