Written by Cara McAleese, darts Creative Health Programme Manager
Maya Productions, a theatre arts company dedicated to promoting racial justice and social change, partnered with darts – Doncaster's award-winning Creative Health and Learning Charity – to deliver a new Artist Development Programme for emerging participatory artists.
Supported by funding from the Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership’s Communities Innovating Yorkshire Fund, the programme was created in direct response to the need for more opportunities for global majority artists to develop sustainable careers in Creative Health in our region. It also aims to build confidence in leading work in community and wellbeing settings.
Now in its final phase, the project has supported three cohorts of artists working across movement, dance, theatre and music. Trainees are supported to develop their practice within a Creative Health and Learning context, gaining practical experience through shadowing, co-delivery and leading creative sessions that positively impact people’s wellbeing, learning and sense of connection.
Image Credit: James Mulkeen, Roshan Lal
Alongside this, trainees benefit from one-to-one coaching with Maya's Artistic Director Suzanne Gorman. They also receive mentoring with experienced global majority participatory artists and industry professionals, continued professional development (CPD), peer learning, and opportunities to build networks and industry connections.
Multidisciplinary artist Molly Eroje told us:
This year seems to be opening a lot of doors for me and I think the traineeship will help with opening up even more opportunities for me. It's given me opportunities to talk with staff, artists and leaders in the industry. It's going to be great to share my experiences on my LinkedIn profile and website.
Both darts and Maya Productions have supported and trained emerging artists for over 30 years. Through this partnership, we recognised our shared goals: improving pathways into the cultural and creative industries for under-represented artists, and developing the next generation of participatory artists to support our local creative economy.
Working in partnership has brought new insight and energy to both organisations, while offering a unique opportunity for emerging artists in South Yorkshire. The programme provides strong representation and sector expertise from artists and mentors from global majority backgrounds, alongside access to a wide range of creative health and learning opportunities across Doncaster.
With each cohort we have built on the learning of the last, allowing the programme to evolve responsively and strengthen over time. Trainees are gaining confidence, new skills in facilitation, and a deeper understanding of how their artform can support health and wellbeing. Broadly, the project contributes to strengthening a more diverse participatory arts sector in South Yorkshire.
Multidisciplinary artist Ajide Adeyemi described the experience as fundamentally reshaping his artistic practice and future direction. He has strengthened his facilitation, communication and collaborative skills, as well as his ability to plan and deliver inclusive sessions.
Image Credit: James Mulkeen, Ajide Adeyemi
Most importantly, Ajide has also developed a more accessible and participatory approach to creating art, ensuring that participants feel ownership, confidence and connection with the creative process. Through taking part in the traineeship, he has moved from creating work for audiences, to creating with them:
“I've learned to listen more, let people contribute and share ownership to see where works can go.”
We are learning along the way, and it has been interesting to see how our learning ties into the broader area of support for creative health practitioners, which darts is focussing on as part of a UKRI-funded project on Creative Health Boards.
As with any developing project, there have been challenges. These have included navigating different levels of experience across cohorts, balancing artistic development with the needs of participants, and ensuring that sessions remain accessible and responsive. However, these challenges have been an important part of the learning process, helping to shape a reflective and adaptive approach across each phase of delivery.
We are also working with artist and researcher Thahmina Begum, who is facilitating conversations with trainees to better understand the challenges that arise when working with diverse participants and communities. This learning will inform Race and Allyship training delivered by Maya Productions to darts staff and artists, focusing on how we can actively support and advocate for artists from global majority backgrounds, and build inclusive environments that enable more people to flourish at work.
Image Credit: James Mulkeen, Roshan Lal, Ajide Adeyemi
The work that has taken place over the last year highlights the importance of sustained support, mentorship and real-world experience for emerging participatory artists. It also demonstrates the value of embedding reflection and learning into programme design. Looking ahead, the programme has opened up new ideas for future development, with the potential to create further opportunities for artists to specialise in Creative Health and Learning.
This work has been funded by the Communities Innovating Yorkshire Fund - a commissioning programme delivered by the Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP). YPIP is a regional project focused on academic, policy and community collaborative research on place based inclusive growth and sustainable living for informed decision-making.
About us
darts is Doncaster's Centre of Excellence for Creative Health and Learning. We make high-quality, inclusive, creative experiences across the city. Our mission is for everyone to feel an accepted and valued part of the community, creating a healthier and more connected society. Maya Productions makes diverse theatre, arts and heritage projects, bringing together organisations and individuals who passionately want their work to enable racial justice and social change. We make and tour theatre led by global majority artists, and engage with young people and underrepresented communities through participatory arts. We promote workforce inclusion in the creative sector through training, research and mentoring. You can get in touch with us via the following emails: [email protected] and [email protected]