EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Prepared by: Neil Caldwell Associates Ltd With the assistance of Youthlink Wales
'On Common Ground' is an innovative outreach scheme aimed at engaging young people between the ages of 14 and 24 in community-based arts activities with a broad heritage / cultural theme. It was first launched as a pilot by Amgueddfa Cymru ~ National Museum Wales in 2002, with funding support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other funders. It achieved a four-fold up-scaling when it was expanded in 2005 as ‘On Common Ground 2’ (OCG2) funded by a European Social Fund grant with match-funding from Amgueddfa Cymru ~ National Museum Wales, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Lloyds TSB Foundation and the Ernest Cook Trust.
The target group are young people aged 14 to 24 from deprived communities and/or those who face disadvantages in their lives. They are recruited and engaged through local youth services with which Amgueddfa Cymru ~ National Museum Wales works closely. The scheme uses predominantly arts-based activities guided by experienced community artists to encourage the young participants to explore the influences of heritage and culture on their lives. Participants have a strong say in the aims and activities of each project, so long as it has a broad heritage/cultural theme, and they are required to make a visit to at least one museum or gallery; not necessarily one run by Amgueddfa Cymru ~ National Museum Wales. Wide ranging arts and technical design activities are used to encourage participants to obtain an accredited qualification by structuring and reflecting upon their many learning experiences. Many of the resulting high-quality art works are publicly displayed at the National Museum Cardiff, and this and local publicity means that the young people’s achievements are acknowledged and celebrated.