Mobile Media: Past, Present, Future
Past Present Future (PPF) was the flagship project for Mobile Media's third programme of work, and included professional training and development for artists with bespoke residencies in the heart of Swindon's communities.
Over a three month period, experienced artists worked with 100 pupils in three schools, from the Parks and Walcot areas of the town, to help boost literacy, IT skills, confidence and teamwork.
Lead Digital Artist, Elise Hurcombe, mentored and guided the training of three other artists new either to digital arts or to working in the education and community context. After an initial training period these artists created artworks in response to the Past Present Future theme to inform three intensive residencies in schools located in the most economically and socially deprived areas of Swindon.
Creative Writer Caspar Sean Walsh undertook a residency over six days at Churchfields School, where there is a significant community of refugee and asylum seeker pupils.They built interactive websites.
Dancer Susanne Thomas undertook a residency over six days at Oaktree Primary School, where she was working with year 4 and 5 pupils, some with Educational and Behavioural difficulties. Pupils enjoyed integrating animation with literacy and dance.
Visual Artist Mel Shearsmith undertook a residency over six days with Stepping Forward, an educational charity which delivers an alternative curriculum for Year 10 and 11 pupils who have been excluded from mainstream education (usually due to emotional and behavioural difficulties).