Slow Boat 29.06.2023
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Slow Boat Journeys
Slow Boat began its Year 2 tour of Birmingham and the West Midlands in Walsall, moored up outside The New Art Gallery Walsall.
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.
In Year One (2021-22) they collaborated with artist Betsy Bradley to transform Slow Boat’s exterior with a radical new ‘dazzling’ design. IYP also took up residence in Birmingham’s creative workshops, engaging with traditional jewellery-making and experimental clay work.
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.
In Year Two (2022-23) IYP focused on the opportunities presented by art schools in Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. 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 Year Three (2023-24) IYP spend time print-making, weaving and writing, visiting Slow Boat in each of its locations to investigate the local area.
LATEST NEWS
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Slow Boat 19.05.2023
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Slow Boat Year Two Review
The Slow Boat Year Two Review took place on 2 March 2023. Ikon Youth Programme collaborated with project evaluator, artist and educator Cathy Wade to produce the event, which reflected on the Slow Boat 2022-23 programme. Eight artist-educators were invited to conduct activities as stimuli for evaluative discussion.
Ikon Youth Programme 12.08.2022
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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 Programme 04.07.2022
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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 Boat 22.06.2022
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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 Programme 11.11.2021
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IYP Journal
Read what Ikon Youth Programme members have been up to over the last few months.
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.
