18/11/2015
In 2014, Fusion Arts ran community music performance project Beat This!, which engaged young people aged 14-25 across Oxfordshire in a creative series designed to provide training and build confidence in their musical abilities.
Experienced music leaders, professional artists, and producers, including local spoken word artist Steve Larkin and music producer Alex Hehir, guided the ten weekly sessions. Course participants received masterclasses in lyric writing, music production and performance skills, and learned about organising large-scale events leading up to their own performance showcase at Arts at the Old Fire Station.
All participants on the course achieved an Arts Awards Accreditation, a nationally recognised creative arts certificate.
Fusion Arts collaborated with BG Records to produce a CD compilation of music produced across the courses. Tracks were written and performed by the participants and recorded by Alex Hehir. Hosted at Fusion Arts, the CD launch party featured live music and performances from all members of the group including some solo sets.
Fusion Arts worked in collaboration with Littlemore, East Oxford, and Witney Early Intervention Hubs. The project was funded by Youth Music and Arts Council England, and supported by Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council.
“It allows you to meet lots of people and be inspired by lots of diverse ways of thinking. I think there are so many young people that could really benefit from having this sort of thing available to them.”
Fusion Arts work with artists, groups and communities from across Oxfordshire and beyond to support a variety of imaginative and socially engaged projects.
Exploring Climate Change Through the Eyes of Indigenous Farmers in Indonesia. A collaborative project with Soboman Artspace 219 in Yogyakarta.
Creative writing project for young people across Oxfordshire, building writing skills as important tools for self-expression.
Long term project using interactive art strategies to develop speech and language in young children.
