Arts hub looking for Wigan residents for focus group

The Crawford Street culture centre is working with a UK arts network to bring three shows to Wigan over a three-year period.

It says each of these will be specifically tailored to Wigan, feature local people in starring roles and create job opportunities in the borough.

However, it has decided it cannot do this as effectively as it would like without direct public input.

A spokesperson for The Old Courts said: “The project uses co-creation as a method of making work.

“Co-creation means that with organisational support, members of community have agency in creating.

“All voices are heard, leadership is shared and we all benefit from having the support of each other to help bring our creative vision to life.

“We want to make a long-term difference. This starts with these important conversations and ends with high-quality performances that inspire, show what is possible and elevates expectations on what we expect to happen here and how we are seen.”

No experience in the arts sector is necessary, with The Old Courts simply looking for residents who live in Wigan who have a point of view and would like to contribute to discussions about how culture serves the town and what is celebrated on stage.

Anyone can enter, although The Old Courts is particularly keen to hear from groups under-represented in the arts.

Meetings will be held every two months up until December and there will be reimbursements for attending, with other paid positions potentially coming up during the project.

Participants in the sounding board will also be able to attend other related events, meet artists and creatives from around the country and experience work being produced.

To be considered for the role, send a short written explanation or a video filmed on a phone explaining your connection to Wigan, a bit about yourself and why you want to be in the focus group to [email protected]

The deadline is 5pm on Wednesday, February 24.

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