Ikon Youth Programme

Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) are a group of young people aged 16-21. Together we make artwork, meet artists, publish writing and organise events.

IYP ON SLOW BOAT

With the support of Freelands Foundation, over three years (2021-24) Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) navigates the waterways on board Slow Boat, a converted narrow boat. IYP are collaborating with creative thinkers and makers to reimagine Slow Boat as a local art school.

Set against the backdrop of funding cuts to arts education, we are expanding the alternative curriculum offered by IYP, raising fundamental questions concerning the definition and relevance of art.

IKON YOUTH PROGRAMME

To date, IYP has delved into thinking and making – exploring performance, craft and conversations around art education. With artist Betsy Bradley they transformed Slow Boat’s exterior with a radical new ‘dazzling’ design. IYP took up residence in Birmingham’s creative workshops, engaging with traditional jewellery-making and experimental clay work. The group explored glass as a material and considered new skills such as casting and urban photography with artists, technicians and heritage workers in the West Midlands. In 2023 IYP will focus on the opportunities presented by art schools in Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton.

IYP have produced a publication documenting Slow Boat, Year One, available here.

If you would like a print copy, please email r.abbey@ikon-gallery.org.

LATEST NEWS

View all
Ikon Youth Programme12.08.2022
Read more
IYP Journal - Photo Walk with Tom Hicks
Recently, Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) have been fortunate enough to join the artist Tom Hicks on photo walks around Black Country areas. Find out how they got on.
Ikon Youth Programme04.07.2022
Read more
IYP Journal - Boat Redesign
Over the last few months, IYP collaborated with artist Betsy Bradley and designer Laura Jaunzems to reimagine Slow Boat as an alternative art school.
Slow Boat22.06.2022
Read more
IYP Journal - Catch-up
Ikon Youth Programme have been very busy recently including working on the re-design of Slow Boat, workshops at Birmingham School of Jewellery and lots more!
Ikon Youth Programme11.11.2021
Read more
IYP Journal
Read what Ikon Youth Programme members have been up to over the last few months.
Slow Boat18.06.2021
Read more
Ikon Youth Programme: Slow Boat Launching Summer 2021
For ten years Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) has steered Slow Boat around the canals of the West Midlands and beyond. A converted narrow boat, it is a unique floating space for IYP, local communities and artists to make and experience art in a stimulating and creative environment.

WANT TO JOIN IYP?

If you are aged 16-21 and have an interest in or curiosity about contemporary art, you can join a group of likeminded people who meet regularly to talk about art, programme new events, work with artists and develop their creative practice.

HISTORY OF SLOW BOAT

For ten years IYP has navigated Slow Boat around the waterways of the West Midlands and beyond. Learn about the history of the boat and the artists who’ve worked on it.

No video files found.
00:00
00:00

Downloads

Document Name
Type
Size
Download
IYP X Freelands Foundation press release
pdf
704.1 kB
Slow Boat Year 1 Publication
pdf
10.9 MB
STAY IN TOUCH
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

IKON GALLERY
1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace
Birmingham, B1 2HS

GALLERY: +44 (0)121 248 0708
SHOP: +44 (0)121 248 0711

Copyright © 2023 IKON. All rights reserved. Registered charity no. 528892