As far as she is aware there are no current book artist networks in the North East and thinks it would be brilliant for all of us if there was one.

At the moment there is no plan what this might look like, only that for it to work there needs to be input from other book artists. It might be a place to discuss and share current projects, form collaborations, share skills or visit book art fairs, exhibitions and the such as well as socialising and meeting new people. The network could operate both online and in a physical space. Currently Yvette knows of about 8-10 other artists who are interested in there being a network and wondered who else might like to be part of it?

A few book artists have got together to arrange a first meeting to see how this network might work. This is happening on Wednesday 15th February at The Literary and Philosophical Society in Newcastle City at 5.30pm.

If you would like to attend please her know on 07989 797 905 or email yvettehawkins@gmail.com

The British Youth Council (BYC) wants to know what you think about the year ahead and beyond. Whether you are still in school, in training, or one of the 1 million unemployed young people seeking a job – how do you feel about 2012? What do you think about the levels of youth unemployment and education and training prospects for young people? Do you think the Government is doing enough on these issues, and what do you think will happen this year?

Your views count! BYC will tell top decision-makers what you think, including the Commission on Youth Unemployment, the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition.

They’re counting on you! Your views mean they can give a voice to young people’s views. As a thank you for taking part in this survey you can also enter a prize draw to win a £50 Love2Shop voucher to spend in high street stores. If you forward it onto friends, and they tell us about it, you’ll also get entered into another prize draw for more vouchers too!

Get involved at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bycfuture2012

The deadline to take part in the survey is Wednesday 1 February by midnight.

‘The MOBO Academy Industry Take-Over’ will provide workshops and seminars and involve industry experts from well respected organisations including SB.TV, RWD Magazine, PRS for Music Foundation, SJM Concerts and artists on the MOBO Tour.

They are looking for people who will be available between 11-6pm on Monday 27th February – it must be stressed that these are unpaid roles but you will gain a great experience in coordinating a mid-scale music industry event with national recognition through MOBO.

Likely duties may include:-

· Being involved in registration for attendees

· Dealing with guest speakers

· Liaising with technical staff

· Liaising with speakers and/or artists

· Distributing and collecting evaluation paperwork

Visit the NE-Generation website for further details.

A BLAST is, in essence, Keyfund in two weeks and includes;

• “Introduction to Keyfund” training for new facilitators (we are aiming for this to be at a reduced cost)
• Community Panel Member Training
• Drop-ins to develop your groups idea and application
• Group going to Panel to present their project and seek approval to take forward
• Initial group idea to money reward in two weeks (if required learning has been achieved)
• A great way to understand the Keyfund process to do more of your own in the future.

Running this BLAST means that the young people you are working with could have a reward for their learning of up to £250, this will aid them to participate in an activity that might have been previously unavailable to them. You need to have a group of young people to go through the BLAST process which will start on the 20th February 2012 with “Introduction to Keyfund” Training at the BBC TYNE TEES, Middlesbrough. The groups idea also needs to engage with one of the four selected projects we run - The North East Youth Network, somewhereto_, Truth About Youth or NE-Generation.

If you are interested or want to know more about this great opportunity please contact our new development worker Michele Deans on mdeansy@yahoo.co.uk or contact Ria at the Unit on 0191 440 4410.

In Gateshead,  the Big Local meeting in the Teams area was attended, and presented information about the Diamond Model. It is hoped that the Diamond Model will link closely with the Big Local programme, as it progesses over the coming months.

The first full meeting of the Diamond Model in Gateshead will take place on 9th February, at the GVOC offices.

There will be four sessions, one per month from February to May.

This will be a fantastic opportunity to build a strategy to improve your work with young people in arts and culture.

For more information please check out the flyer and briefing sheet or contact Anna Spencer – anna@rywu.org.uk // 0191 440 4410

Bands and Acoustic acts are playing on the 23rd and DJ’s and break-dancers are performing on the 30th. The event begins at 6.30pm prompt and runs on until 9pm with tickets being sold on the door on the night of the event for £2 on a first come first served basis.

We hope to see a lot of young people there, get there early for tickets to avoid any disappointments (max capacity 90).
Click here for full flyer.

In partnership with Newcastle College they are currently circulating information to colleagues who may wish to pass the links to the information to organisations and young people who may be interested in the opportunity.

(Details can be found on Newcastle College’s Apprenticeship vacancies page via the links below)

Youth Work Apprentice BE145
http://www.ncl-coll.ac.uk/apprenticeship-learner/apprenticeship-vacancies.aspx

Business Administration Apprenticeship BE144
http://www.ncl-coll.ac.uk/apprenticeship-learner/apprenticeship-vacancy.aspx?vacancy=251

UMT:VOX – Spaces available for vocalists

Aspiring singers, rappers and MCs can work alongside the best urban and electronic producers in the region to record industry standard tracks and work in a professional studio environment through the UMT:VOX course which starts on February 29th.

UMT:BEATS – Recruiting for 2012 courses

UMT:BEATS is a FREE entry level music training course for aspiring DJs and music producers.

UMT PLAY – spaces available to young musicians

Get the opportunity to take part in a FREE, week-long intensive course of expert music training (instrumental, percussion, vocal, DJing and stagecraft).

Click here to visit the NE-Generation site and get more information.

Deadline 27th January to apply!

This is the first awards the Regional Youth Work Unit has done and we are hoping to make it an annual event.

Click here to find out more and APPLY NOW!