Wiltshire Youth Arts Partnership has been an active working partnership between Kennet, North Wiltshire, Salisbury and West Wiltshire District Councils, Wiltshire County Council Youth Development Service and Arts Council England, South West for over six years. It is now a partnership of two departments within Wiltshire Council, the Department of Children and Education through Services for Young People and the Department of Community Services through Libraries and Heritage. It has employed a full time Youth Arts Co-ordinator since June 2002 and during this time WYAP has continued to increase both the range and number of youth arts opportunities available to young people in Wiltshire aged 13 to 21 years.

WYAP’s core purpose is to stimulate and deliver high quality arts opportunities for young people that are relevant to their needs and interests. Our programmes of activity encourage young people to develop a life-long involvement in the arts; as artists, future arts professionals, audiences and participants. The intention is that young people gain an understanding and enthusiasm for learning through the arts, enabling them to achieve their full potential, both as individuals and members of wider communities.

Some Facts and figures:

WYAP has a core team of 3 people; WYAP Manager, Projects Coordinator and Administrator

WYAP recieves core funding from Wiltshire Council and managed funds from Arts Council England South West. All project activities are delivered through fundraising from other sources.

Between September 2006 and September 2008 WYAP:
Worked with 2,237 young people
Supported the creation or commission of 502 new pieces of work from young people

Delivered 711 sessions (including education and training for artists)

Worked with 36 different artists employing them for the equivalent of approximately 328 days in total