Using creativity to address hateful extremism in the classroom

Odd Arts uses theatre to change the way people understand themselves and the world around them. The themes we explore are nuanced and complex: Hateful extremism; sexual assault; mental health; exploitation. All of them hold risk. None of them have ‘one answer’. For this reason, many people (including teachers) feel safer avoiding them.

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Odd Arts – Next in the community alliance spotlight series

Next in our community alliance spotlight series is Odd Arts. Part of the Manchester community alliance, Odd Arts is a Manchester charity delivering innovative and creative programmes, across all art forms, with vulnerable and excluded groups. Specialising in delivering theatre-based programmes that challenge and change attitudes and behaviours, Odd Arts work with participants to devise theatre, from their own experiences as well as touring professional interactive theatre performances on challenging topics.

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Knife Crime Prevention Theatre Project

Odd Arts is a charity using theatre to reduce risk, increase opportunities, reduce disadvantage and increase wellbeing. We use theatre to challenge the way people see themselves and the world, working with over 25,000 people each year within the criminal justice, education and community networks.

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Odd Arts Annual Report 2020-2021

Well, what a year. One which has felt overwhelmingly sad for so many reasons and for so many people. We want to take this opportunity to look back on the hope, resilience and achievements attained by our Odd Arts beneficiaries, staff and volunteers amidst such adversity. To reflect on the impact achieved during this time feels fantastic, but this has only been possible with the support and trust of our communities, beneficiaries and donors.  Please take a minute to share our pride by reading the stories and projects from the last year.

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A Spiralling Mind Online

Odd Arts delivers issue-based creative programmes for vulnerable and excluded groups. The company uses specialist applied theatre and creative techniques to address and explore contentious and challenging issues. Our focus is on developing a learning environment which both enables young people’s creativity, critical thinking and empathy as well as helping them to develop understanding and resilience to negotiate complex life challenges.

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Diary of International Interns during Covid 19

It was cold November 2019 in Germany, I was sitting at my desk on my Laptop and my eye came across the name of Odd Arts on my University’s placement list. I looked them up and they caught me right away – I loved their concept and their work so I tried my luck at applying for an internship. Luck was on my side as a lecturer was already in contact with them and said they could take two interns in. I sent my CV over and got an interview with the CEO. On the day of my Skype interview, I was so nervous and anxious but luckily for me the interview was really good and Odd wanted to take me in as an intern. I was so happy I could have jumped through the roof (I didn’t do it though!) and when I heard Oli would be joining me, I was even happier! After that, it was all about doing the paperwork so that I could actually start at Odd Arts in March with the agreement from my university.

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Case Study: Odd Arts

Odd Arts deliver arts projects and work creatively with vulnerable and at risk groups. This includes working with young people in the criminal justice system to help reduce the risk of offending, improve self-esteem and confidence, and help build safer communities. They have been delivering Arts Award for many years.

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