A new charity run project will provide young adults with learning difficulties the opportunity to tell their story through film, dance or street art.
Carlisle-based, Prism Arts will be leading the project as they continue to bridge the gap between the arts industry and people with additional learning needs.
The new 8-week project Picture of Me is a "creative exploration of self" through workshops, which will allow the young adults to share their experience through their artistic expression of choice.
Several local artists and dancers will be getting involved including Susie Tate, film-maker Nick Greenall, and Landmark Street Artists Ben Heslop and Martin Evans.
Dr Tracey Hayes, University of Cumbria, will also be in attendance to help develop a person-led approach to storytelling and evaluation.
The programme is being funded by Arts Council England.
Anne Timpson, project manager, said: "We are delighted to have received funding to deliver this pilot project. It will enable us to test new ways of working, reach people who aren’t currently accessing opportunities and develop new relationships with local artists.
"We are really excited to see how participants stories come to life and can’t wait to share them with the public," she said.
The weekly sessions will allow for participants to create their own stories in a safe environment whilst blogging and documenting their process along the way.
At the end of the programme, the young adults will narrate and present their final artistic product.
The free workshops will be running from Prism Arts’ Carlisle Studios, in the Central Methodist Hall, from February to April, and is suitable for young adults, aged 16 and above, with autism and/or learning disabilities.
Ben Heslop of Landmark Street Artists said: "This is an amazing opportunity to share in a really exciting and hold project for the participant artists. I can’t wait to see what is created and where they take the themes."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here