Zoom-in 2: How to win the hearts of youth

Join us on our second ForwArt podcast where we explore the transformative power of art engagement in challenging neighbourhood such as North Tilburg. Art has long been recognized as a medium of self-expression and creativity. Beyond its aesthetic value, art has the power to engage, empower, and transform communities, particularly when it comes to involving youth. Through art, young people can explore their creativity, develop their skills, and gain a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work. Art creates a common ground for dialogue, exchange, and understanding among diverse communities, fostering a sense of belonging and unity within the community.

Hear the inspiring stories of how Corpo Maquina settled in the neighbourhood and helped young street boys get onto stage, while some other youth could explore their own neighbourhood as journalists with the microphones of Omroep Tilburg. Working with art groups or as local journalists would enhance the status of youth, would give them pride. But first we must listen to them, to be attentive to what they bring with them. Local youth have lot of talent, dynamics, energies, it requires time and attention to allow them to bring it into the artistic creation. And it is pays off.

Many urban initiatives count on the involvement of youth as easy to connect targets of interventions, but at the same time many such interventions fail to reach the expected goals. With my guests today we had a lively discussion on the ingredients of sucessful interventions. We discussed the importance of playfulness, giving authority, continuation of being present to get the hidden potential of the local youth visible. 

Invited ForwArt partners in the discussion are: 

• Pieter Bon, director for Omroep Tilburg
• Heleen Volman, director for Corpo Maquina  
• Kine MSc student in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, Tilburg University
• Yiannis MSc student in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, Tilburg University

The podcast was created on the premises and with the help of ForwArt partner Omroep Tilburg