Category: WACI

Creative Conversations, Get Ready and Ambassadors

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Recent Events and Activity 

Creative Conversations, Get Ready, and Ambassadors

☀️ As we approach the end of the academic year, we’ve had a busy time across our Fair Access departments.

🎙️ CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS

Panel of people talking to students

Last week we held two Creative Conversations. The first at St Margaret Mary’s Secondary School in Castlemilk. Actors Atta Yaqub and Martin Docherty and BA Musical Theatre student Star Penders spoke to Higher and NC5 pupils about their careers, obstacles and inspirations. Marty Docherty was once a St Margaret Mary’s pupil and is still a local Castlemilk lad.

Group of students sitting on the floor

The second was at Holyrood Secondary in Govanhill, this time with a musical focus. Musicians Michael John McCarthy, Ray Aggs and RCS masters student Dean Garrity talked to a group of pupils about the joys of musical collaboration, taking creative risks and why being in a band is such a good thing!

🎥 Filmmaker Seth Hardwick is making a short film on both events that we hope to share with you all.

🎓 GET READY

Two students doing a presentation

This week, Transitions held the first of two events for students, parents and carers in our Get Ready series.

Get Ready to Apply focused on information around personal statements, UCAS and interview skills. The Transitions team have been working away creating a brand new resource ‘Get Ready to Apply’ which can be accessed on our portal:

🌐 portal.rcs.ac.uk/tstudents

Students doing a presentation

Get Ready to Study, took place last night and we’d like to thank Ken Fairbrother, the RCS SU President and Transitions Alumni, for coming along and telling us more about what support, communities and opportunities there are available at RCS.

A huge thank you also to Gem and Charlotte for sharing their own experiences of being a new student, for giving lots of tips, advice and motivation. It was great to see you all there and please keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on.

⭐️ FAIR ACCESS AMBASSADORS

Lastly, the final meeting for session 2022.23 of our fabulous Fair Access ambassadors and Transitions alumni/student assistants took place this week. A chance to celebrate their amazing year and thank them for everything they’ve done to spread the word about Fair Access in their schools, colleges and communities. We’ve learned so much from them and had a great laugh at the same time! Thank you!

 Get In Touch 

If you would like to find out more about the work that Fair Access do, visit or website at rcs.ac.uk/fair-access, sign up for our newsletter via the website or if you have any questions or queries, email: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Fair Access 'Behind the Scenes' Expo

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Fair Access Behind the Scenes EXPO 

Focus on Film, Production Arts and Technology

Monday 5 June, 10 – 3pm

Civic House, 26 Civic Street, Glasgow G4 9RH

Three young adults playing with lighting cans
©RCS-Robbie McFadzean

Are you aged 15+ and interested in Film and/or Production Arts or Technology as a career? Do you teach or support someone who is interested in what happens behind the scenes? Then the Fair Access EXPO is for you!

This Fair Access EXPO is an exciting all-day event designed to get you up close behind the scenes of a performance with experts on hand to help you try out a range of skills. The day ends with a performance that you will have helped put together.

During the day, you will have a chance to:

  • Make and paint a set
  • Design and operate light and sound
  • Work with filmmakers and multimedia artists
  • Choose costumes for performers
  • Meet a range of creative professionals
  • Find out about opportunities in Film and Production that might be available
  • And much, much, more including a free breakfast and lunch!

Come and have a go, meet other young people who like the same things you do, and be part of our creative team.

Places are strictly limited so sign up today!

A group of young people trying out a filming camera in a classroom A young person with headphones round his neck and wearing a traffic cone on his head Three young people trying out a filming camera in a hallway

Please note: Fair Access will prioritise those facing barriers to accessing the arts such as those living in an SIMD20 postcode (you can check this on our website), are estranged or care experienced, or identifying as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Colour (living in an SIMD20 or SIMD40 postcode).

Please let us know the eligibility criteria which best describes you or the group you are booking for when you apply. If none of these criteria apply to you, please feel free to register and a member of staff will get in touch.

 How to get in touch 

If you would like to find out more or have a query or questions, get in touch with the team at: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk 

Call Out for Early Years R&D Opportunity

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Experimentation Playground 

Making Performance for Tinies

Young girl making drama scene face and hands.

Are you care experienced, estranged or a former Transitions student? Do you like the idea of making performance for tiny people? Would you like to be paid £150 to take part in a week of R&D between 25 and 29 July at RCS?

The Fair Access department is looking for 4 students to take part in a week of R&D focusing on making performance for early years. You will be working alongside 4 care experienced young people aged 18-25 from the Citizens Theatre.

We will be focusing on creative play and the week will be co-led by early years practitioner Corrie McKendrick alongside our Fair Access Manager Jesse Paul and Outreach Officer Louise Brown.

The emphasis of the R&D will be to share skills, explore early years theatre making and create joy. We are keen to hear from people across all disciplines.

If you are interested, please fill in the form below:

Deadline: 8 July 2022 at 5pm

 Get In Touch 

If you require any further information or have any questions, email: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Apply Now To Become A Fair Access Ambassador!

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 FAIR ACCESS AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME 

September 2022 through to Summer 2023

⭐️ Applications are now open for our Fair Access Ambassador programme ⭐️

Young people sitting chatting in student area

 What is Fair Access? 

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is an inclusive and diverse environment. We want to encourage as many people as possible, regardless of their background, to get involved with the performing and production arts. The Fair Access department at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland run two programmes – Transitions and WACI – alongside our Fair Access Outreach and Partnership programme. 📽 Watch more here.

 The work of Fair Access Ambassadors 

Our Ambassadors work alongside our staff to help promote and provide information on opportunities around entering into the performing and production arts and our Fair Access activities and events within their local schools and communities. In return, our Ambassadors gain experience within the arts sector, working with people, and developing teamwork and communication skills alongside bespoke training opportunities.

 About you! 

The Ambassador programme is aimed at those aged 16+ who are passionate about the performing and production arts. You will meet the WACI eligibility criteria or be a current Transitions student. Checking your emails regularly, having good knowledge in social media, clear communication skills and being comfortable in social situations are an advantage.

 When will I need to be available? 

Aside from normal Ambassador activities, you will be available to attend our Ambassador meetings either at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland or via Zoom:

▪️ Residential Weekend: 2 – 4 September
▪️ Meetings: 20 Nov 22, 18 Feb 23 and 17 Jun 23.

 Sounds good, where / how do I sign up? 

Our application form will ask you to fill in your personal details and write a short response to the following questions:

▪️ Why are the arts important?
▪️ How would you promote the arts within your community to young people?
▪️ Why and how would you commit to being a Fair Access Ambassador?

*Alternatively, you can attach a short video (2-3 mins) that answers the questions above.

 Completing you application 

To complete your application we ask that you provide a reference from someone you know who is involved in the arts. This can be a teacher, tutor, community practitioner etc.

Get in touch 

If you require further information or have any questions, get in touch with the team at: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Holiday Greetings from Fair Access

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

As we have approached the end of the year we wanted to thank all our students for your commitment during such challenging times. We can see how hard all our Transitions and Widening Access to the Creative Industries students have been working and the Fair Access Team are really proud of you all. 

We believe that the performing and production arts have the power to change lives and we’ve seen this first hand through our workshops, outreach, creative projects, performance trips, creative conversations and events. We hope that you all get to spend the time with the people you like the best over the holidays.

Advice and Support

We have also compiled a list of support services offering advice and support for care experienced and estranged young people over the festive period should you need them:

1/ Time to Talk –  A number you can call for confidential support and advice.

www.reesfoundation.org/time-to-talk

2/ Stand Alone Festive Guide – A guide offering ideas of how to cope with common festive frustrations. 

www.standalone.org.uk/guides/festive-guide

3/ Become Charity – Information including Christmas link-Ups and Advice line information.

www.becomecharity.org.uk/for-young-people/care-advice-line/support-at-christmas

Take care everyone and we hope you have lots of fun.

With much love from the Fair Access Team.

On The Edge Update

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 ‘On The Edge’ KeyWorker Projections 

A Collaboration with Bash Art Creative

Watch some of the KeyWorker Projection highlights produced by Bash Art Creative in collaboration with the Fair Access Department.

Throughout October and November of this year, a series of large-scale outdoor video installations were used to create creative portraitures and performances to explore the role of key workers, teachers, artists, and people who have made a significant contribution to our lives and communities in these testing times.

The portraits and performance workshops took place across Glasgow in localities such as Castlemilk, Drumchapel, Milton and Easterhouse. It was fantastic to see so many people come out and get involved with the project within their local communities.

Coming up next

You can get involved with our new workshops in 2022 if you live in Castlemilk and are interested in performance. Visit here for more information.  

BEd (Bachelor of Education - Music) Pilot Module

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

We are currently running a pilot module for young people who are interested in becoming music teachers.

Six students from our Widening Access to the Creative Industries and Transitions programmes have been learning all about what it means to be a teacher, how the national curriculum works and all things music education. They are building the skills they need to get ready to apply to become a music teacher at RCS. We are delighted with how the course is going.  

‘It’s great to see the (Transitions) students grow in confidence as they explore aspects of Educational Policy and discuss what it means to be a teacher in the 21st Century’ Mairi Warren BEd Lecturer

If you are a music teacher with students interested in a career in teaching music, why not get in touch. Your students may be eligible for our Transitions programme and applications are now open. Click here to find out more or contact Transitions on transitions@rcs.ac.uk

Deadline: January 2022

Care Experienced and Estranged Focus Group

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Care Experienced and Estranged Focus Group 

Mon 8 Nov + Mon 4 Apr, 5pm-6pm

Are you care experienced or estranged? Do you attend WACI or Transitions? If so, we would love you to join our Fair Access Care Experienced and Estranged student focus group. Help us in learning about how we can support you better – come along and share your views and opinions.

Group of young people relaxed chatting in the round.

Dates: 8 November 2021 & 4 April 2022
Times: 5-6pm
Location: Online

Sign up here: *Bookings now closed*
Booking Deadline: 25 October, 12 noon.

#YourVoice #FocusGroup #CareExperienced #Estranged #FairAccess #WideningAccess

 

Focus Group: Fair Access Black and/or Global Majority

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

When: 18 October 2021 *Rescheduled Date* and 7 February 2022, 5pm-6pm

Where: Online

Who: Transitions and WACI young people who identify as black and/or global majority

Young woman playing a trombone

We would like to invite young people who identify as black and/or global majority to join a focus group that will be chaired by a black and/or global majority artist. The purpose of the group is to hear and share views and lived experiences in relation to being a participant at RCS and interested in the arts. This focus group will take place twice a year in October and February.

To book your place visit: *Bookings now closed*