TEAMWORK: YAAP 2017 Olivia Adegoke (left), Tayah-Daisy Coleman, Portia Sutherland, Jenika Reading, Paige Lenz, Ella Ayto and Abby Owens. (Lily Coles is not pictured). PHOTO/SUPPLIED
The youth audience can be a challenging demographic for the international museum and gallery sector to attract. Throughout Europe and the US, and in several New Zealand galleries and museums, youth programmes have become an essential part of the annual schedule, with a focus on empowering young people to engage
with art and to participate in the work of art museums.
In 2016, Hastings City Art Gallery staff envisioned the development of a youth programme in Hawke's Bay.
After the establishment of a solid research base to underpin the project, the gallery's Public Programmes Coordinator, Elham Salari, sought advice locally and nationally from teachers and museum professionals. Earlier this year, Salari attended a workshop for educators at Te Papa and was further inspired by the "Room to Rise" research project into the lasting impact of intensive art museum programmes on teens.
The gallery then turned to the experts - youth themselves, approaching the Hastings Youth Council.
Based on their advice, the gallery invited Hawke's Bay young people between 14 and 19 years to apply, and the inaugural Youth Art Ambassador Programme 2017 aka YAAP, was launched.
