Jack Drum Arts: Moments To Connect – Year Of The King
Insights from the intergenerational inclusive arts community project inspired by the Coronation of King Charles III.
Jack Drum Arts is a creative social enterprise based in Crook, Country Durham, delivering arts and culture-based activity programmes to the local community. Year of the King builds on their mission ‘to increase access to arts activities and cultural events for people of all ages’. Supported as part of Spirit’s ‘Moments to Connect’ funding initiative, the project brought local residents together through the Coronation of King Charles III, taking inspiration from the King’s passion for the environment.
The project compromised three key strands of activities: creative workshops, a community Gala event and parade, and the development of two Legacy Groups producing work for an art exhibition. A participatory approach was adopted across the project’s three strands, ensuring that workshops and the Coronation event were community-led, inclusive, and accessible. The evaluation report reflects on how major events like the Coronation can unite diverse groups, particularly within the distinctive challenges faced by small towns like Crook. The report includes case studies which show how participating in these activities has had a positive effect on individual community members.
Project impact
- Community Engagement
Participants noted that they had met new people through attending the workshops and met people that they would now regard as friends. 98% of respondents emphasised the importance of events such as this to help people feel included and overcome social isolation. Most participants also strongly agreed that taking part had forged links between different age groups beyond the Coronation event.
- Creative Arts Engagement and Skills
The project’s creative workshops played an important role in promoting creative arts engagement and skills development among participants. Engaging in the activities had a positive impact on participants’ confidence levels. and contributed to a boost in their self-esteem.
- Wellbeing
The project demonstrated significant positive impacts on both individual and community wellbeing, with the combination of workshops and the Coronation event contributing to a sense of connection, inspiration, and improved mental health. Volunteers noted that the opportunity to support the event positively impacted their wellbeing and encouraged them to feel like a valuable member of the community.
- Bridging Divides
Year of the King acted as a bridge that connected different segments of the community. Workshop participants and event attendees consistently emphasised meaningful interactions across different age groups. Participants also highlighted the value of collaborating with people with disabilities, noting that it provided them with a better understanding of their experiences.
