Be a Young Ambassador for Kirklees Woven Festival

As part of the Woven, a textiles festival happening in Kirklees this summer, Chol are launching Young Ambassadors Right Now (YARN), a new programme that will empower 14-19-year-olds to grow knowledge of local craft and heritage amongst young people in Kirklees.

Why become a young ambassador?
Woven festival is just the beginning of a long-term programme focused on the rich history of textile production in Kirklees. Looking to the future, the festival marks an effort to support local craft coming out of Kirklees. Young ambassadors will be essential for representing young people in these plans. The YARN programme will offer workshops and training to help ambassadors think of innovative ways to connect young people with local heritage and craft.

What does the YARN programme involve?
In the run-up to Woven festival, Chol will host six weekly sessions of workshops and training at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield during April, May and June (exact dates TBC). Participants can expect exciting drama workshops themed around the history of Kirklees textiles industry. Training will develop public speaking and leadership skills, and knowledge of festival programme curation. At Woven festival itself (Sat 8- Sat 15 June) young ambassadors will get stuck into festival activities, gaining valuable volunteering experience and a practical understanding of how festivals are organised and executed.

Who can apply to be a young ambassador?
YARN is open to applications from young people aged 14-19 living in Kirklees who would like to get involved with Woven festival. Applicants don’t have to be knowledgeable about local craft or the heritage of textiles– Woven is all about learning. Each YARN ambassador will bring something different to the role. Maybe you’d like to know more about local history, festival programming, arts and crafts, or education. Wherever your interests lie, we want to hear from you!

Sounds fun, how can I apply?
If you’re interested in becoming a young ambassador, please email 50-100 words about why you’d like to take part to Susan Burns at susan@choltheatre.co.uk. On Thursday 25 April 12pm – 1pm all applicants are invited along to an information session at Queenies coffee shop in Huddersfield to learn more about the programme.

Dates
Information session: Thurs 25 April 12pm-1pm, Queenie’s coffee shop, Queen St, HD1 2SP
Six-weekly sessions: April / May / June dates TBC, Lawrence Batley Theatre, HD1 2SP
Woven festival: Sat 8 – Sat 15 June, Various locations in Kirklees

Chol, Woven festival and YARN
YARN is the product of a partnership between Chol and Ignite Yorkshire, a Heritage Lottery Funded scheme run by partners IVE and the Canal and River Trust North East Region to connect young people with local industrial heritage in Yorkshire. Woven festival will take place Sat 8 – Sat 15 June and will host a varied programme of cultural events. The festival is a Kirklees Council initiative designed to grow knowledge of local industrial history and support craft coming out of Kirklees today.

For more information visit http://www.choltheatre.co.uk/be-a-young-ambassador-for-woven-festival/