CHARGE receives funding to further develop Pledge into a touring workshop and performance piece 

During the first UK lockdown, CAPA College students and professional artists worked together remotely to produce Pledge, a powerful film that collated creative responses to the Black Lives Matter movement.  

CAPA College were able to offer a framework for structured discussions in which students were empowered to share their responses to racial inequality through the use of spoken word and movement: 

 “I just wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed being a part of Pledge. It has really pushed me as a writer…it’s been an emotional journey revisiting my personal experiences” – Participant feedback. 

“Some innovative and responsive digital art to get you thinking, check out #Pledge” – Gecko Theatre 

CAPA College’s Outreach and Education Programme, CHARGE, has now received funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire’s Safer Communities Fund in order to take this important project even further. CHARGE will endeavour to deepen the conversation surrounding race and inequality by developing Pledge into a streamed performance piece with an accompanying creative workshop tour for secondary schools in order to continue open discussion and education on race and identity. 

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said: “CAPA College received funding as part of a special round of my Safer Communities Fund aimed at supporting our diverse communities.

“Having these open discussions as well as learning about race and other cultures from a young age is so important and helps to increase better understanding and community cohesion. CAPA College are doing this using an engaging medium which is sure to capture the attention of younger and older people alike, my thanks to the whole team for all their work on this programme.”

In this exciting next stage of the work, ten young people will work alongside artist Dermot Daly to create an original script about race and equality. Furthermore, director Stacey Johnstone and choreographer, Tom Tindall, will work with a cast of performers to develop the physical content for this dynamic project. The performance piece, which includes an original score by sound designer Shane Durrant, aims to become a legacy for the young people, the community and Wakefield.  

This project is part of CAPA College’s long-term commitment to being aware of and addressing racial equality in the arts and education. We have been working closely with our students as part of our own ongoing pledge to keep diversity and inclusion at the forefront of our outreach work. 

This project is funded by: https://www.westyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/safer-communities-fund 

Visit CHARGE: https://www.chargeukarts.co.uk/