INTERACT IS BACK!
By Catherine Ming | May 30, 2024 | News
The Millennium Forum yesterday announced details of the brand new programme for its upcoming InterAct Youth Arts Festival which takes place this July. The award-winning festival will, this year, extend across numerous locations in the North West region with workshops and events being held in Newbuildings Community Centre, Culmore Community Centre, Lincoln Courts Youth & Community Association, St Mary’s Youth Centre, Learning Pool and, of course, the Millennium Forum. And it’s all FREE!
Back for its 16th year, the festival is brought to you by the Millennium Forum and its fantastic Youth Forum who have helped lead and inform all the countless workshops that are on offer.
This year there is something for everyone aged 12 to 21; whether you are an art enthusiast, drama queen, budding animator, or if you love to sing your heart out, there are lots of hands-on workshops all led by professional facilitators to help ensure you learn new skills and, most importantly, have fun! All workshops are free and accessible to attend.
Mags Anderson, Education and Outreach Officer of the Millennium Forum is looking forward to a jam-packed festival. She said:
“I really hope everyone enjoys this year’s festival. InterAct keeps developing year on year and we are excited to be going on tour this year, offering workshops and classes to the local community. The festival is such a great opportunity for young people to get involved in. This year, expect colour, noise, laughter, energy and lots of surprises!
This year, our theme for the festival is ‘sustainability’ and we have lots of wonderful workshops around this, including upcycling furniture, recycling fashion, etc.”
She added:
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our partners, facilitators and our funders, Derry and Strabane District Council, Arts Council NI, Arts & Business NI, Firmus Energy (Principle Partner), Enkalon and Learning Pool (Partner), who help make this festival a reality.”
Star of Derry Girls, Jamie-Lee O’ Donnell, who is also the Youth Patron of the Millennium Forum, added:
“This fully inclusive festival provides a brilliant opportunity to access the best of the arts that Derry has to offer (all for free). Well done Youth Forum for another class InterAct festival!”
Youth Forum member and Festival Assistant, Shannon Peake, encourages all young people to get involved.
“Everyone from the Youth Forum has learnt so much organising this festival and we have all gained new skills. It has really helped my confidence and the best part is making new friendships and watching the festival come to life. Come along. Try something new. You won’t be disappointed!”
Danielle Dunbar, Marketing Manager with Firmus Energy (InterAct Principal Partner) also commented:
“We are delighted to renew our partnership with Millennium Forum following a successful collaboration last year. This year, we are thrilled to be the Principle Partner for the Interact Youth Arts Festival. This partnership will bring a wide array of workshops to young people on tour in their local communities, making the arts more accessible.
At Firmus Energy, we believe in the power of community and the importance of nurturing future generations. Our ongoing support for initiatives like the Interact Youth Arts Festival reflects our commitment to making a positive impact. We are excited to see the creativity and talent that will emerge from this year’s festival.”
The InterAct festival kicks off on Monday 8th July at Newbuildings Community Centre and continues throughout July at Culmore Community Centre, Millennium Forum, Lincoln Courts Youth & Community Centre, St Mary’s Youth Centre and Learning Pool.
The workshops are now open for booking. To book, telephone the Forum Box Office on 02871 264455 or visit www.millenniumfourm.co.uk. Please note, a refundable £5.00 booking fee is required to secure all bookings; this will be fully refunded after all workshops/showcases are attended. For further information, contact Magsc@millenniumforum.co.uk.
ENDS