People United nominated for Calouste Gulbenkian Award for Civic Arts Organisations

Kent-based arts charity People United have been recognised for the astounding work they have completed over the last two years as part of their ‘Futures of Care’ programme, with a nomination for the coveted Calouste Gulbenkian Award for Civic Arts Organisations. ‘Futures of Care’ was carried out in collaboration with Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN) and the young refugees and asylum seekers they work with. The project was multi-faceted, but culminated in the co-creation of two public artworks called Sea of the Unseeable  – one of which is hanging in the lobby of KRAN’s headquarters, the other currently being displayed in The Beaney gallery and museum in Canterbury.

Kent is a county that cares for some of the highest numbers of young asylum seekers in the country. The young people who arrive in the area as unaccompanied minors facing the uncertainty of navigating the asylum, social care and education systems without their families. Community cohesion and collaboration was at the heart of ‘Futures of Care’, which was co-led, commissioned and designed with the young asylum-seekers, with paid young producers from KRAN working closely with both artists and peers to first conceptualise and then realise the final artworks.

‘Futures of Care’ was supported by Arts Council England with a £25,000 National Lottery Project Grant. People United, a National Portfolio Organisation, were awarded this additional NLPG funding on a special basis as part of Arts Council England’s Covid-19 Support, allowing this important initiative to come to fruition at a time when it was most needed for the members of the community it served.

Reflecting on the project, Janice McGuinness, Chief Executive Officer, People United, said:

“The slow, care-centred, joyful approach to working together created a space where these young people could reflect on and tell their stories, which was so important, as they told us they often felt invisible as individuals. The creation of their artwork and its display in a high traffic public place enabled them to tell their stories, claim their space and celebrate who they are and who they want to become.”

Reflecting on the award nomination Janice said:

“This is an incredible accolade for us, but even more importantly, it reflects the creative journey undertaken by the young people. If we are lucky enough to be one of the three prize winners, we’ll invest the money in deepening and expanding our collaboration with KRAN over the next year.”

People United are part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio for 2023-26, where they will be supported with £127,300 annual funding. This will allow them to continue to research and make work centred around kindness, care and the community.

Hazel Edwards, South East Area Director, Arts Council England said:

“It’s fantastic to see South East National Portfolio Organisations like People United recognised for their work in the way the ‘Futures of Care’ programme has been. This project is a brilliant example of how collaborative work can amplify marginalised voices from members of the community that too often go unheard. Artistic expression and safe spaces, where experiences can be shared and explored, are fundamental to the work we want to see from NPOs as we move forward with our Let’s Create strategy and the Investment Programme 2023-26.”

Winners of the Calouste Gulbenkian Award for Civic Arts Organisations 2023 will be announced at the end of March, with £150,000 worth of prize funding up for grabs.