About
This artist-led project is a partnership with Madras College and supports young people experiencing exclusion from mainstream education and labelled ‘school refusers’. The reasons students are experiencing exclusion are multifaceted and exacerbated by our rural context. We work holistically with the young people and their families to get them back into the classroom and to help them find their place in the world. We do this through a programme they co-design with artist Jek McAllister and Lara McLeod. Participating artists have included Hannan Jones, Sean Patrick Campbell, and Kate Harvey who have delivered a programme of woodwork, gardening, pottery, film, photography, design, and music making. The young people’s confidence, connection to other students, and creativity are nurtured. All participants thus far have experienced a positive impact including improved attainment, attendance, or mental wellbeing, as well as some students advancing to further education.
History
This project came about in 2022 when we were asked by a local teenager if they could volunteer at the centre during the week, instead of going to school. Unfortunately we couldn’t support this, but through conversation with them, their peers, and school support staff, we developed a programme that they could participate in. Exclusion from mainstream education, or ‘refusing school’, is an increasingly prevalent issue and growing national concern. As a community driven centre, we felt we could do something to provide and alternative education for those who needed it. Funding from National Lottery Young Start Fund supported with Madras College.
Creative Practitioners, Jek McAllister and Lara McLeod, are the lead artists for Alternative (Art) School supported by artist assistant Robyn Scanlan. They co-curate the programme with the participants and invite selected artists to take part. The resulting programme is a rich mix of art, craft, and horticultural workshops led by established artists. Up to 18 students, aged 13-15 years, can participate on this journey through traditional and contemporary practices. Throughout the programme the group film the activities with it culminating in a shared meal that the students cook together.
Alternative (Art) School 2026
Alternative (Art) School is now running for its third year and through reflexive practice it has morphed and grown. Its current model supports continuity while working holistically with young people and their families to build confidence through creativity and to help them find their place in the world.
Students who have taken part have reflected that they feel more confident, recognised their creativity and made new friendships.
Running weekly from September to November, this year’s cohort will work with artists Jek McAllister and Lara McLeod over a ten-week block of hands-on creative workshops where they will learn about art and design in a fun and relaxed environment.
The artists encourage the young people to challenge themselves and support each other. So far, the group have been introduced to artistic techniques such as collage, drawing and sculpture and discussed ways to be creative and think about themselves in the world by designing a manifesto.
One question that arose from our evaluation sessions was how we can best continue to support our local young people and encourage them to feel a greater sense of belonging within Forgan Arts Centre and the community beyond. By working with artist puppet designer Gretchen Maynard-Hahn the students have created a series of puppet costumes for our seasonal community event Samhain. They will work together to design and perform a lantern procession and join the other attendees in a community meal with their families.
Over the next few weeks, we will introduce design ideas and take the group on a trip to see Dundee museums and galleries in an effort to challenge them to see and visit new places that they do not feel are for them, feel supported inspired and provide a space for them to express themselves and try new ideas.
During the Spring we completed an evaluation process titled ‘Sonic School’. This was led by Dundee Radio Club, a.k.a. Su Shaw and Becca Clark, and In Session, a.k.a. Rachael Simpson.
Alternative (Art) School 2025
- David P Scott, digital photography
- Kit Martin, analogue photography
- Calum Wallis, drawing
- Josie Giles, zine Making
- Joseph Donald, ceramics
- Kate Scarlett Harvey, heat press and screen printing
- Avril Smart and Chris Ivor Adam, paper Making
- Harriet Rose Morley, scorched wood prints
- Louise Smith/Froglife, bog building
- Lara MacLeod, Sculpture School
Alternative (Art) School 2024
Led by Jek McAllister, the 2024 iteration included the following artists:
- Saoirse Amira Anis
- Kate Scarlett Harvey
- Mim Seddon
- Zoe Gibson
- Rosie Handley
- Rachael Simpson
- Calum Wallis
- Paige Barret
In addition, Mim Seddon, Rosie Handley, Kate Harvey and Rachael Simpson provided facilitation throughout the programme.
Alternative (Art) School 2023
Lead Creative Practitioner, Jek McAllister, curated the overall programme. Like all the team members, they are also a practicing artist. The project engaged nine artists in total, each with a speciality art form or focus and experience working with a mixed ability group of young people. The artists included:
- Kate Harvey, textile artist and designer
- Mim Seddon, ceramicist
- Andrew French, carpenter and wood worker
- Rowan Lear, horticulturist, photographer and teacher
- Hannan Jones, musician
- Sean Patrick Campbell, photographer
- David Smith, artist
- Chris Dooks, artist and support worker
With special thanks to Clyde Built Radio and Hannan Jones for airing Forgan Lunch Club. Listen in here. The 2023 iteration of Alternative (Art) School was funded by Fife Rural Development Fund.
