Due to racial violence during the summer, the Art For Change in-person events had to shift online. With ongoing support from QUB, we are holding this in-person event to celebrate our youth and to invite the people of Belfast (and surrounding areas) to experience unforgettable youth-led, arts-based, civic action featuring talented youth artivists (12 - 18 years) from eduSOIL, Diverse Youth NI, ACSONI, NI Indian Community and ANAKA Collective who are unleashing their I CAN superpowers and creativity to take action on issues affecting their mental health and to inspire change in the world.

Hear the inspiring stories of change and amazing artwork addressing issues of racist bullying, stereotyping, discrimination, teenage challenges and social media addiction. You will hear 5 stories of change as well as original drama, painting, poetry, music and multidisciplinary art.

Art For Change Summer Programme

The Art For Change (AFC) summer programme at Queen’s welcomed 40 youth (12 - 18 years) from immigrant, asylum seeking, refugee and vulnerable backgrounds to explore arts-based wellbeing strategies and lead group social action projects addressing mental health issues. It is led by Juanita Rea, Visiting Scholar at the School of Arts, English and Languages, founder of eduSOIL and Director of Design For Change NI, South Africa and Sudan. Since 2011 eduSOIL has supported 16,000 people in 12 countries and is delivering AFC in partnership with Design For Change Global and with support from Arts Council Northern Ireland and Queen's University Belfast School of Arts, English and Languages (AEL), Performance Without Barriers research group and the Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility Directorate.