Rebecca Pattni talks to three local groups offering opportunities in arts and communications

A group of young people standing in front of a coloured wall — Young people working with Exposure (Credit – Exposure)

Barnet is home to 1075 registered charities and countless community, voluntary and faith groups which play a fundamental role in supporting and representing our diverse communities.

However, smaller charities supporting local people to get involved with arts and the creative industries often go under the radar and struggle to receive funding, support and recognition.

In recent years, ongoing cuts to funding available from local councils have been combined with £56million of cuts in Arts Council funding for organisations based in London from 2022.

One example of an organisation experiencing big funding challenges but continuing to make a significant positive impact on young people’s lives is the multi-award winning youth-led communications charity Exposure.

Originally established as a print magazine in 1996, Exposure has evolved into a dynamic platform using technology, creative writing, podcasts and film to amplify young voices.

Young people can explore key issues through multimedia campaigns, create leadership pathways, and drive positive, long-term social change for those often overlooked by traditional services.

A notable alumnus of Exposure is BRIT award-winning artist Little Simz, who created their first music video with Exposure and credits the organisation with helping to launch her career.

Fran O’Connell from Exposure told Barnet Post that the funding landscape is becoming more challenging particularly after government funding cuts and increased competition for grant funding.

The charity has launched a fundraiser calling on residents to show their support. Every donation helps ensure that Exposure can continue its work, empowering young people to grow, create, and drive social change.

Kate Ereira from PapaTango shares similar concerns. PapaTango is a grassroots arts charity and “an Olivier Award-winning theatre company who champion the next generation of brilliant playwrights, especially those who might otherwise lack pathways into theatre.”

Referring to governmental cuts to art funding, Kate tells Barnet Post that,“the funding landscape is looking sparse at the moment given the current economic climate”. She says that PapaTango “can’t do what we do without all of this support”.

With a tagline of, “All you need is a story”’, PapaTango inspires young people by providing free training, performances and publications to over 4000 people. They help anyone make or share theatre.

Kate says that their “discoveries have won BAFTAs, Critics’ Circle, OffWestEnd, Alfred Fagon and Royal National Theatre Foundation awards, premiering in over thirty countries.”

She adds that PapaTango works with “schools and youth groups, pupil referral units, and special educational needs settings to support people” in Barnet and beyond.

The charity’s aim is to “find and champion the best new playwrights, with an absolute commitment to producing them on big stages and using their success to inspire creativity in communities nationwide.”

Kate emphasised that PapaTango’s mission is “about removing barriers, championing playwriting” and giving “young people the chance to work with professional writers with inspirational journeys to share.”

She added that PapaTango is “Motivated by this proof that theatre is open to everyone”.

However, this powerful work cannot continue without funding which John McCafferty from arts centre Community Focus tells Barnet Post is “not easy but is necessary in order to continue going forward”.

Based in Friary Park, Community Focus is an arts centre for children and adults with disabilities who offer a selection of creative wellbeing activities for all ages. They offer “vulnerable people a place to meet others with similar interests in art, helping provide a platform to be creative and socialise in a safe space”.

After the cuts to arts charities in London, local arts charities like these depend on donations and increasingly scarce grant funding to ensure that they can continue to make a difference.

John explained that funding has “definitely become more difficult” and that “it’s a constant battle to apply to funds”.

He said that the current funding landscape often feels like “a merry-go-round”.

John says that CF is a place where, “people from completely different backgrounds and different ages come together”.

With a tagline of ‘Everyone is an Artist’, CF aims to “assist a wide variety of individuals within the borough of Barnet and surrounding areas, helping them learn transferable skills”. They also aim to promote good mental health and enhance students’ life skills.

They deliver creative lessons so that their students can “fulfil their full potential in a safe, friendly environment.” John adds that CF aims to provide “a safe space for individuals to socialise, connect, and just enjoy and create artwork”.

The empowering and transformative work that these charities carry out cannot be taken for granted.

Yet, without sustained funding and community support, especially after governmental cuts, many of Barnet’s art grassroots organisations will face uncertain futures.

As funding challenges continue and more competition arises, these charities need recognition, support and resources to ensure that they can continue to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Donate to Papatango

Donate to Community Focus here: https://www.communityfocus.co.uk/make-a-donation

Donate to Exposure here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/exposure-empowering-young-people-in-north-london

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