Art of Belonging - new short animation created by Welbeck Primary School

The Art of Belonging project set out to understand how to lessen the impact of social isolation experienced by young forced migrants newly arrived in cities in different European contexts. The team were interested in understanding how to enable young refugees and migrants to build connections with their new place such that they can go on to lead lives of meaningful engagement in their city. This concern related to identity formation, but was also coupled with the development of skills, social connections and cultural capital that young people are able to mobilise as they become cultural citizens in their new cities. The project was located in Nottingham, England, led by Professor Joanna McIntyre in England, and Lund, Sweden, led by Sinikka Neuhaus.

A real highlight of the project for Professor McIntyre has been the production of a short animation by pupils at Welbeck Primary School in Nottingham. Following inset training for staff provided by Professor McIntyre, the school devoted their art week to the theme of the art of belonging. Their work culminated in the production of a short animation which was recently shown at a roundtable event focussing on leading the regional agenda and co-creating schools of belonging. This new animation, called the Art of Belonging will be shown at Broadway Cinema in Nottingham before each family feature throughout the summer.