Raw Material Annual Review 2017

2017 REVIEW

AWARD WINNING CHARITY PROMOTING ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN THE

PRIORITIES • ACCESS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE TO HIGH QUALITY ARTS EDUCATION PROJECTS

• MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING

IN THE COMMUNITY AND HOSPITALS THROUGH CREATIVE PROGRAMMES, MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS

• SUPPORTING PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESSION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY SECTOR.

With a track record spanning 24 years, we have been providing young people and the community with access to some of the best resources and expertise available. The combined skills, resources, building, staff and experience is exemplary and at the forefront of youth and community arts.

We specialise in music, digital media, film and photography, performing arts, national touring and international programmes. We work in mental health in hospitals and the community with children, young people and adults, with CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), within youth offending and with children and young people going through challenging circumstances – and seek to enable all participants to engage, achieve and progress.

1

“RAW MATERIAL CONTINUES TO DELIVER STRONGLY AGAINST THE TARGET OUTPUTS. THERE IS A STRONG PROGRAMME OF SIX STRANDS OF WORK WHICH IS TAILORED TO THE NEEDS OF THE TARGET PARTICIPANTS. THE WORK OFFERS SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO GAIN TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IN MUSIC WITH SHOWCASING OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP REALIZE ASPIRATIONS TO WORK IN THE INDUSTRY. NOTABLE STRENGTHS INCLUDE THE ABILITY TO REACH THOSE LESS ENGAGED IN ARTS AND CULTURE, ENGAGEMENT WITH PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND THE INTERNATIONAL REACH AND OUTLOOK OF THE WORK THROUGH COLLABORATIONS AND RESIDENCIES. THERE IS ALSO A STRONG COMMITMENT TO PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL AUTHORITY STRATEGIES AND ORGANISATIONS IN WORKING IN CHALLENGING FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.” Harry McIver, Arts Council England annual feedback

2

RAW MATERIAL: AWARD WINNING CHARITY PROMOTING ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN THE ARTS, MUSIC & MEDIA

FROM THE In 2018 Raw Material will be marking 25 years of providing services to young people in London and beyond. We are proud of that achievement and its definitely something to shout about!

We have re-structured our staffing, stepped up our programme to meet current needs, put in place a new business plan for the next four years, reviewed and revised our policies and protocols and we move forward with confidence and ambition.

The organisation has a commitment to access, diversity and inclusion and a commitment to equal opportunities.

Our staff, senior management and board encourage the active involvement of our members in policy and planning and we continue to develop local, regional and national partnerships that promote and uphold the creative case for diversity.

Our arts programming policy is user-driven, takes into account the diverse needs of users, promotes cultural and artistic representation with Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and opportunities for showcasing diversity. Our monitoring and evaluation process focuses on outcomes for users and marketing strategies to uphold equality, inclusion and diversity and a commitment to developing partnerships that strengthen and sustain such work.

3

FINANCIAL STABILITY & SUSTAINABILITY In the current climate, 2018 on presents challenges of funding and sustainability common to the sector.

To address this, we have put in place long term strategies to deal with this but funding is now increasingly competitive and restricted. Raw Material has had a 33% success rate in gaining funding and we have plans in place to ensure this continues, although in the year we have seen grant income fall, a worrying trend. Feedback from funders speaks of over stretched funds and the excessive volume of applicants.

We have set fundraising targets for the next four years, analysed across Trusts and Foundations, CSR, social media, individual giving and earned income. Indications for 2018 on show that we expect to meet our targets for Trusts and Foundations and Earned Income, whilst work around the Corporate, Sponsorship and Social Media is in it’s early stages and any shortfalls will be carried over into subsequent years.

With reduced income over the last year and no increases in core funding, our budgets have been prepared on a conservative basis.

It should be noted that bids are prepared for project specific support and in the event of a particular application being declined, that project will be put on hold until appropriate funding is secured. Additionally we continue to pursue funding to cover core costs, primarily through CSR and social media streams as well as allocating earned income to cover core costs and reserves.

CEO’s REPORT

The year has been active, diverse, challenging and highly creative.

We have been able to explore new approaches, pushing the boundaries of our arts practice and engaging many more people.

In an increasingly challenging environment, we have pursued ways of working and strategies to both confront these situations and find creative solutions.

We have built on the extensive and thorough review of the organisation carried out in 2015/16 – and have developed our strategic plans for the next period, yet at the same time we aware of the challenges that lie ahead for our sector, especially in the light of government strategy at home and abroad and the impact of leaving the EU. We are fortunate in being awarded a further four years funding as an ACE National Portfolio Organisation NPO and we have had some success in raising additional funds and

4

RAW MATERIAL: AWARD WINNING CHARITY PROMOTING ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN THE ARTS, MUSIC & MEDIA

support from our major funders, providing the stability and investment required to enable us to grow and continue to develop.

It is fantastic and inspiring to be part of a creative community where our members and project participants young and old have contributed so much through their own enthusiasms, resilience, ideas, creativity and performance work.

The excellent, experienced and innovative staff team, managers, mentors and volunteers have pushed the boundaries of creative work, much of it with people with complex needs and with those in challenging circumstances.

Without all of their expertise, passion and commitment to the work, we would certainly fall short of achieving our aims.

Going forward as an Arts Council England NPO we have the opportunity over the next four years to really build on our collective experience, pushing the boundaries and ambitions of the artistic programme in line with the needs of our constituents. We will be capturing our methods to provide both the evidence of its impact and to demonstrate the value of our work, driving forward with a clear message and focus on what we do best, addressing the needs of our communities and enabling the work to inspire and influence others.

Tim Brown, Founder and CEO

“Raw Material is a place to create, innovate and escape. It benefits the young, those who are older, beginners and the experienced.

All kinds of people from different walks of life can find something here. For me personally, I have never come across a multifaceted organization that really works to provide the best arts services to young people the way Raw Material does.

My progress as an artist has been deeply impacted by going here. Among the many things Raw has done for me, I have songs created, a professional video published. I even found my guitarist here!! Without them I wouldn’t be where I am now. So many of my fondest memories are attached to this place. We need Raw Material!!”

Jo-ash, Artist Development Member

5

Live & Learn EDUCATION & COMMUNITY PROJECTS Supporting partnerships We have hosted start up education projects such as School Ground Sounds (SGS) and the Grit School, who work within our common aims with secondary schools and young people in lower income areas of London to provide additional music activities and to enhance their musical education.

Youthsayers We have continued to host the 20 piece Afrobeat youth ensemble, which supports young instrumentalists in creating and learning new music. This year they have presented a number a brilliant events including performing at the London Jazz festival, and working with the Alpha Boys School from Kingston Jamaica, recording their tracks in the studio and performing at the Southbank Centre, the Ritzy Cinema and live on stage at the House of Common music festival with renowned ska group Madness, who sponsored the Alpha group’s visit to the UK. iDream Now in its second year with renewed LB Lambeth funding, the project provides provision for young people who are at risk of drug and alcohol use. We provide a creative programme using the Asset Model, with partners Photofusion, 198 CAL and Lambeth youth centres.

Dance project We worked with FloSupreme dance charity, who produced a week-long project with Singer/poet Floacist.

LEAP Confronting Conflict We are developing projects with LEAP and local youth groups to address gang issues and violence in the borough.

Street School to Sound School Raw Material has continued to support schools through Street School that has now developed into the Sound School project, creating a space within school hours and after school where young people are able to access a professional studio, develop skills and achieve an accreditation.

After school sessions After school programming is important work in providing access for young local participants. We run studio session and rap classes in lyric writing, beat making and recording songs. Many young people face stress, are involved in antisocial behaviour and gang related activity in the area, so providing a safe space where they can express themselves and learn skills provides meaningful alternatives.

Raw Talks Raw Material’s monthly podcast highlights the music talent with our programmes.

Sacha D, former participant said:

“Raw Podcasts has been a great opportunity for me to develop my presenting skills. My confidence has grown and I love working with the artists developing content for the podcast!”

6

RAW MATERIAL: AWARD WINNING CHARITY PROMOTING ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN THE ARTS, MUSIC & MEDIA

YOS A series of music sessions have been run for young people referred from the Youth Offending Service.

SEN Key partners in Special Educational Needs schools include Park Campus and Octavia House, where on-going support has created brilliant opportunities for young people with challenging needs.

Tate Exchange collaboration We worked at the Tate Modern with 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning and Photofusion to present a multi arts day of debate, performance and workshops. The all day event attracted large audiences and further projects are planned for 2018 with a focus on special needs education.

CAMHS We have been commissioned to provide creative arts opportunities for children and young people through NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Lambeth Music Network Our commitment has continued with the music hub both by being on the strategy group and through delivering projects.

Joint projects continued with the music hub members in particular Lambeth Live Explosion events, featuring up and coming musical talent in the borough.

Summer holiday projects Arts Lab Summer School supported by Young Lambeth Cooperative, provided a three-week creative projects: photography with Photofusion, graphic design with 198 CAL and creating radio podcasts at Raw Material.

Factory This is a group of creative organisations working collectively towards realising a new creative centre for Lambeth, to provide viable employment opportunities for young people and to develop creative businesses.

ENO Our team provided musical support for the ENO Jenufa Summer Project developed with over 50 young people in response to ENO’s production of Jenufa directed by David Alden with design

by Charles Edwards, which opened at the London Coliseum in June 2016. This was our third collaboration with the ENO and partners.

‘RAW MATERIAL HAS CONTINUED TO PARTNER WITH 198 OVER THE PAST YEAR, SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ‘FACTORY’, WHICH AIMS TO INCREASE YOUTH ARTS ENTERPRISE AND ACCESS INTO THE CREATIVE AND CULTURAL INDUSTRIES. WE HAVE ALSO CO-DELIVERED TARGETED SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITHIN LAMBETH, INCREASING IMPACT AND WIDENING THE OFFER TO YOUNG PEOPLE BY WORKING TOGETHER STRATEGICALLY. THE PARTNERSHIP WITH RAW MATERIAL AND OTHER LOCAL ARTS ORGANISATIONS IS HELPING TO SUPPORT A STRONG ARTS SECTOR IN THE BOROUGH, BY POOLING RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE IN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT’.

Lucy Davis, Director, 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning

7

Walcot Foundation Peer Group Network The network of some twenty plus groups has regular meetings to discuss, debate, present and support cross sector working in Lambeth.

Youth Music ‘Give a Gig' We put on a special event in support of Youth Music Foundation, showcasing the work that had actually been supported through a grant from Youth Music, so it was a great way to show our appreciation.

“Just a quick email to say a really big thank you for the gig on Friday night. The guys who came down from the office said it was a great show with some really talented young people on show.

Please do pass on our sincere regards to the young people – and thank you for being part of Give a Gig Week!”

Mark Pierce Give a Gig

Help4 Refugee Children We worked on site in the Calais ‘Jungle’ refugee camp delivering music sessions that served to bring people together and feel a sense of unity. We later put on French Connection – a fundraising event in London supported by French musicians who came over specially in support of the charity.

Oval House Theatre We supported new work commissioned from our musicians and artists by Oval House for their Brixton City Festival, now in its second year.

Work experience Raw Material has provided work experience placements for over 15 young people in 2016-17 from Kingsdale Foundation School, Sydenham girls school, Rutlish School, The Brit School, Deptford Green, Kingston College, St Francis Xaviers College and Elm Green School.

Interns Through Global Experiences Raw Material sponsored Nick Ashbay, from Michigan, USA, to support the Raw Material team, managing the social media sites, filming and editing as well and support for performance events.

8

RAW MATERIAL: AWARD WINNING CHARITY PROMOTING ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN THE ARTS, MUSIC & MEDIA

LIVE

MUSIc MAKING & EVENTS “Raw Material is a great organisation that works with young people and prepares them for the music industry through events and sessions.

Since coming to Raw Material I have been able to perform at various venues as well as now knowing how to produce a song from start to finish.

It has made me develop as an artist and from that, I have gained a lot more confidence.”

Sinead, Artist Development Member

9

We promote an aspirational approach to music, related arts and living day-to-day.

The programme gives access to a whole range of music styles and experiences, including not just learning to play instruments, singing and performing but also developing music in a studio environment, managing the music production process and much more. It gives young people experience at a professional level so they can see what opportunities are available in an area they love to do, within the context of a healthy understanding of the realities of work and employment.

Live music events run throughout the year, both as in house showcases and at local venues – Pop Brixton, Ritzy, Brixton Jamm and POW. Raw Material participates in events with other partners – in many local festivals and clubs, Core Arts and CoolTan A rts, Lambeth Music Network ‘Live Explosion’, Tate E xchange, Southbank Centre and events outside of London from Oxford to Folkestone and Nottingham, and abroad in France, Croatia and the USA.

10

RAW MATERIAL: AWARD WINNING CHARITY PROMOTING ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN THE ARTS, MUSIC & MEDIA

RAW LIVE This provides access to an artistic programme of excellence and innovation. It enables people to gain professional skills and experience quality music development and production.

2016-17 has been a great year for developing live music with our Artist Development group. In January, we added a new live element to the project, giving our young artists the opportunity to develop their songs with professional musicians, performing at events around London and Internationally. A group from Artist Development has travelled to France, the USA New York and Croatia to develop work, contacts and performance opportunities.

Three singers were invited to create an acoustic music video at the YouTube studios with the support of Reload Sessions, who also delivered video production training to the staff.

The XX – Night & Day Tour In April, The XX played at Brixton Academy as part of their Night + Day tour. As part of this The XX visited local arts projects and offered to support their work by making a cash donation. They visited Raw Material and our Artist Development project, who presented an informal showcase of new material. It was a positive experience and such industry support is highly valued.

International music school A week long summer school for young people from the artist development programme was in the south of France. This was based in a residential centre in a rural setting, with excellent accommodation and purpose built rehearsal studios, all fully equipped and well resourced. Local musicians and conservatoire staff provided both workshops and played alongside the group at two events, including US artist Vinx de Jon Parotte, a Berklee music college professor.

11

“RAW MATERIAL HAS PROVIDED ME WITH SOME AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES, FOR WHICH I AM HUGELY GRATEFUL. ARTIST DEVELOPMENT HAS ALLOWED ME TO GROW AND DEVELOP AS A MUSICIAN AND PERFORMER, AND PLAYING IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE EVENTS WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE, WHICH I’LL NEVER FORGET. I’M SURE RAW IS ONLY GOING TO GET BIGGER AND BETTER!” Alan, Artist Development Member

12

RAW MATERIAL: AWARD WINNING CHARITY PROMOTING ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN THE ARTS, MUSIC & MEDIA

RAW SOUNDS:

Music & Mental Health

This programme reaches out to people with mental health needs in hospitals and in the community, providing music experiences in a positive and inclusive atmosphere, supporting participants to gain new creative skills alongside support around wellbeing.

month on hospital wards. We’ve had the joy of watching participants grow in skill and confidence throughout the year. End of term gigs are a highlight of our programme, and this years performances at Brixton Jamm and POP Brixton were no exception – the quality of music produced on our programme is a testament to the dedication of participants and the talented staff who support them.

Raw Sounds is in its sixth year at Raw Material and continues to expand, as demand for activity-based interventions for people accessing mental health services increases.

Since being awarded funding by Maudsley Charity earlier in the year, we have been able to create a new offer of specialised workshops and instrument tuition for our members, and increase our capacity for pastoral care – a much needed resource for participants with complex needs. We’ve also launched a regular programme of workshops on hospital wards at Lambeth and Maudsley, thanks to new funding from City Bridge Trust, delivering monthly music workshops across eight wards.

Creating progression routes for participants through and beyond our programme is a key element of our work. This year we’ve partnered with Amy Winehouse Foundation to refer participants to their studio sessions, with CoolTan Arts and Core Arts to deliver events, performed for the third consecutive year at Elder Stubbs festival in Oxfordshire, and run a summer project with Tate Britain, engaging 20 young people in an artist-led project to produce multimedia artworks. Six Raw Sounds members have now joined Tate Collective, where they curate events at the Tate for their peers. Eight longstanding Raw Sounds members have put themselves forwards as volunteers at Raw Material and, after extensive training, are now delivering workshops alongside our staff.

Our programme e ngages 7 0p eople per week in the community and 50 people per

13

Our aims for the coming year are to continue our work linking together local services, to help people suffering with mental ill health in our community to access creative and supportive services.

We aim to increase our visibility and share best practice, capitalising on the successes of the year, including producing briefing papers for sector networks and APPGs, and featuring in broadcasts for BBC Radio 4 and a VICE documentary. Participants are keen for more performance opportunities, so we shall work closely with local groups to plan community events, and showcase the talents of Raw Sounds participants far and wide.

TESTIMONIALS FROM LAMBETH HOSPITAL:

“Raw Sou nds has b een fantastic o n Luther K in g ward.

The nature of the acu te setting mental he in alth is tha t service u be at vario s e rs may us stages of their re so may sta c o v e ry y for an en tire sessio a few min n or just utes. How ever even engageme minimal nt can be therapeuti all service c and users who attended Sounds on Raw the ward h ave had positive th ings to sa y.”

rience so “Its been a great expe fluctuated in far. The groups have ent we have seen, terms of the engagem to en a valuable addition but it has certainly be ink th that p programme. I also our therapeutic grou ology (in es an aspect of techn any group that involv top) is very xing decks and the lap mi e th ing us se ca is th is overlooked often something that important, since it is increasingly ent, and has become in the ward environm it works everyday lives. I think important in peoples e case since there is th especially well in this engage through the added motivation to ly encourages music, which invariab participation”.

Vice & Noisey – No Smoking in The Booth: A Film About Skunk, Grime and Mental Health As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Vice & Noisey presents ‘No Smoking in the Booth’ – a documentary about skunk, grime and mental health. The film follows grime legend and Boy Better Know member Jammer on his personal journey to understand how skunk may be affecting the mental health of musicians in his scene. The potential link between cannabis and mental health problems is a controversial subject. In this film Jammer visits Raw Material’s mental health project Raw Sounds to discuss their work and the effects of past skunk use on p articipants' mental health.

14

RAW MATERIAL: AWARD WINNING CHARITY PROMOTING ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN THE ARTS, MUSIC & MEDIA

RAW ROADS UK TOURING

This consists of a number of cooperation projects, where artistic and creative skills, expertise, resources and good practice, are shared and showcased.

The success of our last national touring programme Raw Roads: INVISIBLE affirmed two things. First, that there was a real need for the work that we were doing with young people in marginalised communities.

Second, that our methodology is effective in empowering those young people who are facing serious life challenges to explore and practice their artistic voices.

Therefore, in 2017, we hit the road again with a five-strong team of music and performance artists-facilitators. We named our new programme Raw Roads: IMAGINE, and the invitation to our participants called to identify unwanted elements in their life and, using whatever artistic medium they chose (rap, songs, music, visuals, lyricism and performance), create and perform their own unique reactions to it. Our team was on hand to mentor, train and support each young person on her or his journey of acquiring creative skills, devising and performing their creations.

The IMAGINE journey began in Folkestone, where we had a very diverse cohort of participants aged 10-26 year old, some new to the UK, some new to creative arts. This meant we had to continuously reshape our activities to retain high and impactful levels of engagement. The intensive week of workshops at the Quarterhouse culminated in a very energetic celebration of explosive local talent.

Our next stop was at Nottingham, where we were able to deliver more bespoke creative skills workshops with the SEND project and Stone Soup Academy in which our large group of committed participants learned about devising, wordsmithing, rapping and

15

performance techniques. That training was combined with mentoring our participants through their creative processes, which yielded some incredible new materials and collaborations. At the end of that week, we were excited to host a successful public showcase of those powerful new creations at the National Justice Museum.

Last but not least, the end of the tour saw our Folkestone and Nottingham participants coming to our HQ in Brixton for a day of workshops, rehearsals, recording and finally performing together an end-of-tour special event at the famous Brixton POW venue. It was a great day for all, where our young artists were full of generosity, inspiration, courage and bucket loads of talent.

“I THINK THE BEST PART OF RAW ROADS WAS JUST THE FREEDOM TO CALL YOURSELF AN ARTIST. BECAUSE JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE NOT FAMOUS, OR BIG, OR EVEN GOOD, THE ART YOU CREATE IS FOR YOU AND FOR OTHERS, IF YOU WANT IT TO BE. I WAS GIVEN THE SPACE TO DO STUFF, AND I WAS GIVEN THE TOOLS, AND I WAS TAUGHT TO DO A BUNCH OF STUFF I DIDN’T KNOW THAT I COULD DO. AND IT WAS REALLY AWESOME. AND I GOT TO MAKE A BUNCH OF FRIENDS ALONG THE WAY.” Laura, 16, Nottingham, Raw Roads: IMAGINE participant

“The positive changes I saw Raw Roads bring out in our young people were: resilience, trust, self-expression, confidence and focus. These attributes have persisted beyond the project. Now as they head for their GCSE exams I am able to say to Tyrese, ‘remember the focus you had ahead of the Brixton performance? That’s what I need from you now.’ And he gives it”.

Claire Barlow, Head, Stone Soup Academy

16

RAW MATERIAL: AWARD WINNING CHARITY PROMOTING ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN THE ARTS, MUSIC & MEDIA

RAW

Our international work is about connecting across countries and continents where artistic and creative skills, expertise, resources and good practice are shared and showcased.

IMAGINE was made possible by the commitment and support of our project partners, the dedication of our amazing delivery team, and all the young people who accepted our invitation to use their imagination and creativity to explore and challenge their realities.

The founding notion of this programme was ‘IMAGINE: the future is here’. And indeed it was: shining through hardship, soaring above uncertainties, and empowered by activism.

We wholeheartedly thank all those who were a part of this journey.

Shir Freibach Raw Roads’ Artistic Director & Project Manager

“Our involvement with Raw Roads offered them a taste of the wider creative world.

It opened their eyes to different art forms and the possibilities there are for developing them. It really did expand their horizons and that is such a priceless thing for young people struggling to lift themselves out of negative situations and perspectives on the world”.

Moon Cavanagh, Director, SEND project Nottingham

USA We have set up new contacts in the USA in New York with ArtStart, Groundswell, The Door and Building Beats education projects, visiting there in October 2017.

Croatia/Senegal There is a continuing partnership with the Alfa Albona association in Croatia and with the Africulturban Association in Dakar, Senegal, for performance events and workshops for 2018.

France We worked with the Help4Refugee Children organisation in the Calais ‘Jungle’ camp, ran music projects in both northern and southern France, a summer school, workshops and performances with local musicians.

19

INTERNATIONAL Jamaica We have been developing a collaboration with the Alpha Institute in Kingston Jamaica, famous for its music school that has produced some legendary names. There was an initial visit by a staff member to Jamaica and a return visit by Alpha graduates, musical director and staff in the summer of 2017, sponsored from UK Ska group Madness. We ran workshops, skill sharing, rehearsals with Youthsayers and the artist development programme. They all played at the Ritzy and the Southbank with the Fontanelles and the Alpha group performed with Madness at the House of Common festival in August 2017 in front of an audience of well over 10,000!

EU post 2019 Our commitment to continue with such work remains, in particular in the European context, however, with the UK leaving the EU, we anticipate difficulties in pursuing cooperation projects with European partners in the future.

“JUST A NOTE FROM ME, MADNESS AND OUR MANAGEMENT TO SAY A BIG THANK YOU TO THE ALPHA BOYS (AND NOT FORGETTING THEIR TUTOR) FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO A MEMORABLE SHOW AND THEIR PART IN MAKING IT A GREAT NIGHT ALL AROUND. THEY PLAYED MAGNIFICENTLY. AND THEIR PROFESSIONALISM AND THE WAY THEY CARRIED THEMSELVES WAS A CREDIT TO THE ALPHA INSTITUTE. PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO THE INSTITUTE, WITH OUR VERY BEST WISHES. I HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE THE COLLABoRATION IN THE FUTURE”.

Mark Bedford, bass guitarist, Madness

10

RAW MATERIAL: AWARD WINNING CHARITY PROMOTING ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN THE

"Raw Material continue to provide a most excellent resource for young people and adults in Lambeth. Their extensive and widely inclusive programme maintains access for those with the greatest needs and their ethos places positive transformation at the forefront of creative pursuits. They are a highly respected partner of the Lambeth Music Network collaborating with schools and arts organisations on national and international projects that ensure many high quality opportunities.

Much to celebrate about their fantastic set-up!"

Oliver Bayley. Lead Tutor / Events Lambeth Music Service LMEH coordinator.

ARTS, MUSIC & MEDIA

19

SHARING We aim to capture the approach, expertise and methodologies of Raw Material in accessible formats so the organisation can strengthen its education, training and progression of young people through provision of learning opportunities for the longterm, and so others (outside of the organisation in the UK and internationally) can be inspired by and adopt to help more people.

“When it came to devising with your practitioners they were really challenged socially. They were hugely uncomfortable meeting new people and were suspicious of others, but your team helped them over come that and that act of trust developed into a commitment from the students that far exceeded my expectations. Usually, we struggle to engage them after 3pm, but they wanted to be working with you until gone 6pm most nights and were happy and eager to give up their Saturday to continue develop the great work they’d started!“ Claire Barlow, Head of Teaching & Learning, Stone Soup Academy

“Our students got so much from working with you and your team last year on Invisible; we were absolutely delighted and amazed at the commitment you engendered. The quality of the engagement was excellent. We predominantly work with young people who are facing some form of challenging circumstances and this often limits their access to opportunities to develop their creativity. The breadth of creative experience our young people received was commented upon by the Arts Award moderator who commended our partnership work with other creative organisations.”

Moon Cavanagh, Director, SEND project Nottingham

20

RAW MATERIAL: AWARD WINNING CHARITY PROMOTING ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN THE ARTS, MUSIC & MEDIA

CULTURAL LEARNING &

Impact In recent years the policy landscape for arts education and cultural learning has changed radically.

There has been a decline in children taking arts subjects; a reduction in hours for teaching of arts subjects in schools; beyond school, informal programmes for young people have suffered due to cuts in local authority funds and services and much has dropped off the policy agenda –even though the case for a balanced curriculum remains strong. Despite this fractured system and difficult climate there are places where teachers and parents, schools and community organisations are choosing to become champions for the arts and heritage.

ARTS & EDUCATION: ABOUT CULTURAL LEARNING From: Imagine Nation- Cultural Learning Alliance We believe that the arts, delivered in a socially and culturally relevant way, have the power to change and shape people’s lives.

The knowledge, skills and experience made possible by the performing and visual arts, music, film and exploring the built environment are essential to young people’s development, including access to professional resources to experiment, create and celebrate the outcomes, both in real time and offline.

As important is access to arts and cultural institutions – music venues, theatres, art galleries, museums and libraries.

The cultural learning we support takes place with schools, colleges, community and arts organisations – informally in the wider world, creating opportunities for children and young people to express their ideas and form their values. Through cultural learning, young people and members of the community are encouraged to explore other cultures past and present and are inspired to contribute to the arts and culture of the future.

Four values of cultural learning:

value of arts- ideas, values, • Social

empowerment, participation, happiness Partnership, tolerance, collaboration, celebration, cohesion

• Educational value- Knowledge, skills, creativity, resilience, potential Teachers, youth workers, artists, parents, carers, communities

• Economic value- invention, ingenuity, talent, enjoyment, employment Quality, originality, growth, innovation, imagination

• Personal value- empathy, exploration, co-operation, expression, experience Opportunity, agency, confidence, meaning, memory

21

As such, and in support of the above values, Raw Material and our partners are a driver for social cohesion and change, a provider of skills, creative and cultural development and aspiration -and offers progression routes towards sustainable futures. It is about promoting inspiring settings for cultural learning and helping young people in particular to progress and thrive, and investing in our social , economic and cultural futures.

Cultural learning we promote and support spans both formal and informal learning and happens in our communities, in arts spaces as well as in schools and other education settings.

Culture Our work can be experienced as listening, playing, seeing, watching and interacting, performing, devising, designing and composing, making, writing and doing. Arts and cultural subjects in our programmes include all of these activities. Good cultural learning takes place across all subjects (including science and humanities) and through digital means. Cultural learning involves both learning through culture and learning about culture and includes critical thinking, creativity and the development of original ideas and action.

Creators & consumers We enable children, young people, teachers, families and communities to create, participate in or be audiences; they are its makers and

“I’m glad to be back amongst this amazing company that I am proud to be a founding member of and, after spending the last 20 years working in the fields of music education and the music industry, it’s great to see Raw Material going from strength to strength. It has become such an important project for the local community and London wide (and not forgetting its international projects) I’ve just taken a role as session manager working with the young people’s mental health group Raw Sounds. Its an amazing project that does so much great work, truly inspiring and an incredible energy. It’s projects like this that represents the amazing work Raw Material does. Each week it’s a delight to see the beneficial power of arts work with young people. I feel proud work alongside such passionate, skilled and caring tutors and workers.”

Marc Brown, Creative Team Leader

consumers. Our cultural learning leaders practice at all levels in the organisation with local and wider communities. They innovate and drive the creative learning process.

Cultural learning settings In our work this encompasses a wide range of provision we work with, including formal and informal youth settings and services, local authority, voluntary, community and private sector provision, services for vulnerable people, disabled young people and those at risk.

22

RAW MATERIAL: AWARD WINNING CHARITY PROMOTING ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN THE ARTS, MUSIC & MEDIA

KEY FACTS 2016-17

380 PEOPLE ARE ENROLLED ON OUR YOUTH PROJECTS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS

185

70

people aged 16–65 yrs attend Raw Sounds community sessions weekly

REFERRED THROUGH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

PATIENTS ENGAGED IN OUR I N REACH SESSIONS ON HOSPITAL WARDS of which:

19% 50% 29% are 16–24 yrs

are 25–44 yrs

24% 11%

Mixed/ Multiple

6%

Asian/ Asian British

are White

Other

3%

are 45–64 yrs

50% Black/African/ Caribbean

75%

WE NOW HAVE

OF PARTICIPANTS ARE FROM BAME COMMUNITIES

FULLY TRAINED VOLUNTEER MENTORS

65%

4

OF MEMBERS ARE MALE

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS: New York, France, Croatia and Jamaica

35%

4

OF MEMBERS ARE FEMALE

NATIONAL TOURS: London, Oxford, Folkestone & Nottingham

20 110 LIVE EVENTS DURING THE YEAR

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS HAVE WORKED WITH RAW MATERIAL FROM FRANCE, ITALY, CROATIA & JAMAICA

Artists and musicians have been involved in and performed at live events

25 75% LOCAL & NATIONAL PARTNERS

of members live in the Borough of Lambeth

23

24

RAW MATERIAL: AWARD WINNING CHARITY PROMOTING ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN THE ARTS, MUSIC & MEDIA

NETWORK FRANCE Carcassonne Festival du Carcassonne and International summer school

USA New Orleans Team Vision Entertainment, Takrema Arts Centre, RAE House, Gasa Gasa venue, University of New Orleans

FRANCE Limoux Feria, Toques et Clochers, Sieur d’Arques Calais Help4 Refugee Children

NETHERLANDS Nijmegen New Arts, De Lindberg

USA New York Building Beats, ArtStart The Door and Groundswell

ITALY Aosta Fulmine in Linea Retta Turin CLG Chamois Musicabilmente festival

CROATIA Labin Alfa Albona Youth Association

INDIA Mumbai Imran Khan JAMAICA Kingston Alpha Institute

COLOMBIA Buenaventura Associazione Folklorico Buenaventura

BRAZIL Salvador Gruppo Culturel Olodum

SUDAN Khartoum National Museum, British Council THE GAMBIA Serrekunda Alliance Francais Bakau AfroManding group

SOUTH AFRICA KCAP Kwamashu Community Advancement Project

SENEGAL Dakar Institute Francais, Goethe Institute, British Council Pikine Association Africulturban

AUSTRALIA Alice Springs /Mbantua CAAMA Studios, Australasian Aboriginal Arts and Education Association, Macdonnel shire youth service, Red Hot Arts, Bush Bands Bash festival Ntaria /Hermannsberg Macdonnel shire youth service

25

“Raw Material have provided a welcoming environment to experiment and develop my craft. It’s not just a studio but a home for many, and I’m truly thankful for the talented, ambitious souls I get to create with, the friendships I’ve made, and the continued support I receive. Big love!"

NOTTINGHAM Stone Soup Academy, College Street centre SEND Project

Sarah, Project Member

PETERBOROUGH Chime studios, John Clare Theatre, Beat This, Galleries of Justice BIRMINGHAM MAC – Midlands Arts Centre, City of Birmingham school SOUTHEND Cliffdown Theatre and studios

OXFORD Elder Stubbs festival

PORTSMOUTH Brook club, Groundlings Theatre

= active projects

RAMSGATE Ramsgate Music Hall

LONDON

FOLKESTONE

Jamm, POW, Electric Social, Photofusion, 198 Contemporary Arts and Culture, English National Opera, Southbank centre, Lambeth Music Network, South London and Maudesley NHS Foundation Trust, Lambeth hospital, Livity, SE1 United, Alford House, Alwayz Kreative, Park Campus, Young Lambeth Cooperative, Platanos college, Sound Connections, Lambeth Youth Offending Service, Centrepoint, Music in Prisons, Big Creative Education, Industry on the Streets, Rich Mix

Quarterhouse Theatre Folkestone Fringe

26

RAW MATERIAL: AWARD WINNING CHARITY PROMOTING ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN THE ARTS, MUSIC & MEDIA

STAFF Trustees Sue Balmer, Tessa Read, Anna Terry, Robin Hopcraft, Sacha Denton, Sara Yates, Jide Ashime CEO Tim Brown Patron Dr David O’Flynn Finance manager Jennifer Gaskin Operations manager Emily Falconer Mental health programme management Hannah Kemp-Welch, Indra Khera, Shan Rixon Creative team leader Marc Brown Creative programme team & visiting artists Chavez Shillingford, Alexis Adimora, Michele Strocchi, Jon Bristol, Collin Hills, Tanagna Chambers, Lara Lee, Kheron Kenardo, Joe Cribbin, James Hill, Rhoda Dakar, Louise Beer, Robin Hopcraft, Idris Rahmen, Pat Hatchett, Miles Romans Hopcraft, Sam Wilkinson, Lawrence Hayes and David Henry UK Touring Director Shir Freibach Touring team Jesse Lee Norville, Conrad Kira, Lara Lee, Reuben Massiah

International Shir Freibach, Michele Strocchi, Donald Hayden, Tanagna Chambers, James Hill, Lara Lee, Tim Brown Andrea Todesco (Italy), Jean Christophe Ballarini, Bernard Margarit, Anouck Andre, Tania Margarit (France), Vinx de Jon Parotte (USA), Jelena Batelic (Croatia), Joshua Chamberlain, Andre Adman (Jamaica) Volunteers 10 volunteers work with the Raw Sounds mental health programme and as mentors Placements We hosted Nick Ashbay from the USA through an international placement scheme

“I would say one of the greatest things I have learned from Raw Material was how to adapt to new creative environments. I have always been interested in exploring new cultures and lifestyles, but when I interned at Raw Material, it really opened my eyes. I have gained crosscultural experience by meeting all the people through Raw Material who were curious about the U.S. as I was curious about England and shared many stories and laughs.

Along with that, I have learned how to work in a new environment every day. My experience as an intern at Raw Material helped me gain the knowledge of how different cultures do business. I got to see first hand how a company from another country worked and all the things that go into making it run”.

Nick Ashbay, US intern, Global Experiences

27

28

RAW MATERIAL: AWARD WINNING CHARITY PROMOTING ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY IN THE ARTS, MUSIC & MEDIA

& FUNDERS LOCAL PARTNERS Young Lambeth Cooperative 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning Photofusion Alford House I-Dream Alliance Lambeth Music Network Lambeth Music Services Park Campus Platanos college Livity London Community Foundation & Big Local School Grounds Sounds and the Grit School SLaM NHS Foundation Trust Factory project partnership Youthsayers Soothsayers Brixton Youth Theatre The Comedy School CoolTan Arts The Creative Society

LONDON REGIONAL PARTNERS Southbank centre Young People's Programmes at Tate Britain and T ate Modern Emergence and Voice Collective Institute of Psychiatry and Kings College Industry on the Streets and Itspiration Core Arts BBC 1Xtra

UK TOURING PROGRAMME pARTNERS

FUNDERS & SPONSORS

London Brixton POW

Maudsley Charity

Arts Council England Nottingham City Bridge Trust SEND project, Stone Soup Academy, College Street Comic Relief centre, National Justice Lloyds Bank Foundation Museum Young Lambeth Folkestone Cooperative Folkestone Fringe, LB Lambeth Quarterhouse Theatre

Oxford Elder Stubbs festival

Clothworkers Foundation

Oxjam Festival

INTERNATIONAL Goldsmiths Foundation PARTNERS Garfield Weston

ENO Baylis (English National Opera)

Alpha Institute, Jamaica

Amy Winehouse Foundation Reload Sound Connections LEAP Confronting Conflict

Foundation

Battersea Power Comite des Fetes Hameau Station Foundation d’Arce, Marie du Limoux, Harold Wingate France LB Lambeth CAMHS, Bernard and Tania NHS Lambeth Clinical Margarit Commissioning Group Dreamsicle Arts and The XX Entertainment group, Madness Chalabre, France Vin Te Deux Limoux, France Alfa Albona Youth Association, Croatia

Alwayz Kreative

Imran Khan, Mumbai, India

Programmed Perception Arts

Building Beats, New York, USA

Brixton POW

ArtStart, New York, USA

Pop Brixton

Youth Music

The Door, New York, USA Groundswell, New York, USA

Madness

The xx

2 Robsart Street, London SW9 0DJ c 020 7737 6103 b hello@rawmusicmedia.co.uk www.rawmusicmedia.co.uk /RawMusicMedia

/rawmusicmedia

/rawmusicmedia

Charity Number: 1020066. Company Limited by Guarantee registered number: 2807620.

Photography Tim Brown, Kheron Kenardo and Marc Brown | Design oakshed.co.uk