- Do you want to get involved in the art world?
- Do you want to make a difference to your community?
- Do you have something you want to say?
- Do you want to be an agent for change?
If you are 16-18 years old and would like to help shape the outreach programme of a sculpture park that’s just been named (by The Guardian) as one of the best ten outdoor art installations in the world, now’s your chance. You don’t need qualifications, money, or to be top of your class, just passion, energy and an interest in the world you live in.
At Jupiter Artland Foundation in West Lothian sculptures by internationally famous artists such as Phyllida Barlow (Quarry [below right]), Nathan Coley, Cornelia Parker, Anthony Gormley, Joana Vasconcelos (Gateway [left]) Anish Kapoor, Charles Jencks and many more are set in the beautiful landscaped grounds, woodlands and meadows of Bonnington House, while parts of the house itself offer indoor gallery spaces.
Open to the public from May to September, the Foundation already has 33 permanent site-
specific works, and continues to commission new installations; it also runs a full schedule of performances, talks, workshops and tours, while its Learning Programme offers free learning visits for nurseries, schools, universities and educational/community groups.
Jupiter Artland’s child-led ethos sparks curiosity and builds resilience, creativity and critical thinking skills in the minds of young learners – and now the Foundation has launched ORBIT, a new outreach programme dedicated to amplifying the voice of Scotland’s youth. To coincide with Scotland’s Year of Young People, and to celebrate the sculpture park’s tenth anniversary, ORBIT is beginning by recruiting a 
Youth Council of 16-18 year olds from across Scotland to help develop and shape the programme. So that’s where you come in…
ORBIT will give you an opportunity to learn about different art forms, meet artists and work alongside your peers and communities on large scale art projects. The Youth Council will take an active role in shaping Jupiter Artland’s outreach events, taking projects far beyond the boundaries of the Artland to people across Scotland. Together with a team of experienced creative industries professionals, and with support from communities, the charity wants to put young people at the helm of decision making, give them a platform to have their views heard and acted upon, and find ways they can bring change to their local areas. They will be investigating what culture means to local people, and what those people get – or would like to get – from it.
The Council members will be invited to spend some residential weekends at the park, in October, December, January, March and May, with one longer trip taking place at the beginning of the Summer Holidays in 2019. The weekends will involve exploring the Artland, meeting the Jupiter team and learning about different art forms. ORBIT will pay for travel, food and accommodation whenever there are meeting or trips, so your involvement will cost you nothing.
The nature of the artwork that this research leads to will vary from place to place, but will follow Jupiter Artland’s commissioning process of an artist choosing a landscape, urban context or social situation and responding to it.
To find out more about ORBIT and how to become a part of the Youth Council, visit www.jupiterartland.org/orbit. You will be asked to complete an online form and email it to Jupiter Artland by Monday 10 September 2018 – so hurry! If you have any questions please call Kate on 01506 889 900 or email her: kate@jupiterartland.org.
