PEER/Participate

PEER/Participate addresses issues of community cohesion and civic participation within the local environment of Hoxton. With experimentation and creative learning at its core, the programme targets specific groups in the local community and works with participants to draw out individual potential, improve self-confidence and develop self-expression through creative practice.

PEER/Participate's first two years were supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

HOXTON FREE ART SCHOOL

As part of Discover Young Hackney 2013 PEER and Shoreditch Trust ran an alternative art school for 15 to 18 year olds over three Saturdays in February. Owing to the success of these initial sessions, the art school will continue to programme visits and workshops over the coming months. Click here to read more

St. Monica's rc Primary school

We began working with St Monica's RC Primary School in the autumn term of 2010. Over that time artist Maria Amidu has developed projects with Years 1, 2 and 4 and members of the After School Club. In July 2011 Years 1 & 2 showed work as part of the Showcase exhibition In and Out of Site and in summer 2012 presented their project Dolphin Loves Disco.

Maria's latest project began in the autumn term of 2012 to enable seven Year 4 pupils the opportunity to participate in workshops to support their ongoing SEAL – social and emotional aspects of learning – sessions at school. As a result of this project Maria and the children have produced a poster with an A to Z of [New Year's] Resolutions.

BRIDGE ACADEMy

Artist Louisa Martin worked with Year 7 students from Bridge Academy to produce artworks which extended the young people’s understanding of contemporary art and celebrated their local area. The project culminated in the Showcase exhibition In and Out of Site in July 2011.

This year artist Emma Hart has been working with the Art Department teaching staff to make a positive statement about the real benefits of visual arts education through a series of workshops at PEER. From this project we have produced a fantastic set of six manifesto stickers. Read more>

ME YOU HOXTON TOO

We have been working with Hoxton-based artist Dustin O'Hara and Black Cab Theatre Company in collaboration with residents of Hoxton Street on a project which explores the local area through oral histories and personal landmarks. Click here for more information.

HACKNEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

We have been working with students with learning disabilities from Hackney Community College, which is sited just across the road from PEER and has over 3200 students. Workshops are tailored to the visiting groups and activities focus and branch out from the work on show in PEER's current exhibition.

The Sharp End

The Sharp End is a resource centre for people over 50 living in Hackney which offers a wide range of service and activities to promote the health and well-being of older people. PEER/Participate is working with the Arts group to make work and create discussion around the exhibition programme.

For more information about PEER/Participate please contact us at participate@peeruk.org or on 020 7739 8080