We began our mooring in Stourbridge with a visit from Glasshouse College students. Here, we worked with Dale Hipkiss to ask: ‘Does the current architecture of the Black Country reference natural forms and the limestone landscape?’ This workshop was influenced by the ancient Silurian landscape, exploring the region’s prehistoric marine life and the patterns formed by its limestone.

IYP continued our Slow Boat journey in Tipton. Ikon Youth Programme and Rowley Regis Youth Club got together for a Slow Boat Social, where we got to know each other over snacks, covered the windows with our words and drawings, shared stories and music and made new connections!   

Between March–September 2026, we will be sharing Slow Notes, a reflective series of posts following our journeys on Slow Boat.  This year we started our Slow Boat journey in Wolverhampton. We met up with More Art Inc at Wolverhampton Art Gallery and Museum (programmed by Dinosaur Kilby and Simon Suphandagli) for their “Legacy Gathering”.  

Join artist Alice Theobald to create a brand‑new magazine‑style community TV show! Are you aged 16-21, curious and creative? Come and help shape RETIRED YOUTH, a fresh online artist-led TV programme made with young people, for young people. 

Ikon is pleased to announce Slow Boat’s visit to Stoke-on-Trent in partnership with GRAIN Projects. Taking place throughout April and May 2025, Slow Boat’s programme of activity involves artists and photographers, education partners and arts organisations, with a focus on engaging young people in North Staffordshire.

We caught up with Rosie Abbey, Ikon Youth Programme Coordinator, to hear about this year’s highlights for Ikon Youth Programme and Slow Boat.

Reflections on IYP and Ashokkumar D Mistry showcase by Sonia Boué.

In August, Slow Boat began the final movements of its Year 3 tour of the West Midlands.  

Slow Boat began its Year 2 tour of Birmingham and the West Midlands in Walsall, moored up outside The New Art Gallery Walsall. 

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.  

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.

Over the last few months, IYP collaborated with artist Betsy Bradley and designer Laura Jaunzems to reimagine Slow Boat as an alternative art school.

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!

Read what Ikon Youth Programme members have been up to over the last few months.

By Rosie Abbey, Ikon Youth Programme Coordinator

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.

Ikon is delighted to announce the support of Freelands Foundation in developing Ikon Youth Programme (IYP), which for ten years has navigated Slow Boat around the waterways of the West Midlands and beyond. During 2021-2024, we will expand the alternative curriculum offered by IYP, raising fundamental questions concerning the definition and relevance of art against a backdrop of societal change.

Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) and Black Hole Club (BLKHLCLB) continue their online collaboration. Work in progress from recent workshops facilitated by Black Hole Club artists: 

Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) and Black Hole Club (BLKHLCLB) begin an online collaboration. Follow Ikon Youth Programme on Instagram for regular updates.

During lockdown Ikon Youth Programme have been meeting digitally. One of their recent projects involved writing a ‘Dear Nature’ letter, inspired by John Newling’s work, reflecting on their relationship with nature. Find out more @ikonyouthprogramme

On 20 August, IYP were invited to visit the Sidney Nolan Trust for a day trip at The Rodd in Presteigne, Wales.

Read Pippa Davis, Ikon Youth Programme member thoughts on Patrick Killoran’s installation, Observation Deck (Birmingham).

By Saffiyah Khan, Ikon Youth Programme member