AlcublArt

"<< Background >>Graffiti vzw's works with young streetarttalent. It has shown that the chances for young artists on the labor market are hampered by all kinds of bureaucratic steps. Every artist is expected to possess financial, commercial and administrative capabilities. For young participant in vulnerable situations, we wanted to create the safety to translate their vulnerabilities into art. As an organization, we also give great importance to critical citizenship. We try to facilitate young people in their creative protest.Zedre says that because of the crisis in Spain, unemployment is very high, especially with youngsters. They don't have an income and they live with their parents or they are homeless. The area where some of them live is very remote and public transport is limited. Zedre is working hard to expand art and youth work to smaller villages. Sustainability is a much discussed item. Alcublas is a Spanish rural village that's slowly running out of it inhabitants. The younger people are moving away to try their luck in cities. Building more perspectives for youngsters in rural villages by ways of art and sustainable tourism is our other aim.<< Objectives >>We wanted to create job opportunities for young Spanish and Belgian streetartartists and youngsters in social-economical vulnerable situations. By organizing a streetartfestival (AlcublArt - Art in Alcublas) we wanted to strengthen their self esteem and raise their skills. The central topics of the streetartfestival are equal rights, sustainability and promoting local sustainable holiday opportunities. We gave the youngster ownership and a voice about these topics through their work. Participants, locals and tourists learned about these topics via the murals, and in dialogues and debates with the artists.There are a lot of rural villages like Alcublas, with an aging en declining population. A streetartfestival seemed a good way to put Alcublas on the touristic map. Another goal of this project was to build tools and inspire youth workers, professionals and villages in similar situations.Our aim was to influence politicians that take decisions concerning the employability of youngsters, inclusion, sustainability and sustainable tourism. By mapping the difficulties our participants encounter and determine the solutions they envision, we want politicians to make better laws and legislation.<< Implementation >>Activity 1: Kick off = preparation and implementation via live and online meetings in Spain and BelgiumWe organized meetings with the coordinating team, with the participants and individual coaching. A delegation of the Belgian organization visited Alcublas in February.Activity 2: Making documentary ""They saw the mountains burn"" = promoting sustainable tourism in rural villages through a streetart festival created by young artists with fewer opportunities and young locals with fewer opportunities job opportunities).Activity 3: Alcublart = a sustainable and local streetartfestivalFrom 4 till 10 April 2023 we organized our sustainable and local streetartfestival (see program). During that week Zedre and Graffiti vzw organized workshops (graffiti, breakdance, working with textile, brick-painting, …), walks, a artisanal market, festivities and debate circles about equality, how can you live & work in a rural village, sustainability in a rural village.Activity 4: Follow-up and dissemination of results = inspirational evenings for young artists and youth workers, premiere of the documentary for youth workers, politicians and the broad public. On the 18th of October in Ghent (Belgium) and the 25th of November in Alcublas (Spain).<< Results >>A streetartfestival that has influenced politicians, inhabitants, visitors, partnerorganizations & artists, youthworkorganisations & other villages. In the village it was a boost for the local economy. The number of inhabitants has increased since AlcublART! In the local elections in May the 2 local parties had the continuation of AlcublART in their election program. A manifest for politicians with measures to give young artist more job opportunities. The manifest can also be used by organizations to enhance the situation for young artistic and artisanal talent. A script for youth organizations when they want to organize a streetartfestival with young artists from divers countries. The manifest and script were distributed to the attendees of follow-up moments in Ghent and in Alcublas. They were also distributed through our networks and media channels. Since then the partners received in inquiries from potential European partners about cooperation. From Belgian political side, we have not yet received any responses to our dissemination initiatives. A documentary on sustainability and the impact streetart can have in turning rural villages into attractive and touristic places: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0RZDyrjaZQ&t=3s."