Creative & Cultural Cascade - supported by Arts Council England

Creative & Cultural Cascade was a resounding success, celebrating traditions of West African song, rhythm, and dance. International artists and master trainers, Iya Sako (song & percussion) and Jokeh Sillah (dance), led an immersive training programme for the BeatFeet team, which included five Creative Practitioners and five Future Leaders. Over the course of the training, the team learned an authentic repertoire of traditional West African performance pieces.

BeatFeet then cascaded their learning through Nottingham Music Hub’s CPD (Continuing Professional Development) programme, sharing the skills with 20 local school teachers. These teachers went on to inspire 600 young people from inner-city Nottingham schools, creating an environment of cultural celebration and creative expression. Each school crafted and filmed a unique performance piece, providing a platform for students to showcase their newly acquired skills.

The project culminated with selected schools performing at CommuniTree, demonstrating how music and dance can bring communities together. Beyond the immediate performances, the project fostered sustainable creative opportunities, offering a clear progression route for young people interested in leadership through the Future Leaders programme, partnered with Bilborough College.

In the wake of the pandemic, Creative & Cultural Cascade played a key role in revitalising creativity in schools, ensuring they became places of joy and cultural engagement once again. By providing high-quality training, creating lasting educational resources, and strengthening partnerships with Nottingham Music Hub and the Cultural Education Partnership, BeatFeet cemented its reputation as a leader in cultural education arts in and teacher training in Nottingham, while bringing global culture to the heart of Nottingham.

Following the success of Creative & Cultural Cascade, BeatFeet is poised for exciting growth and new opportunities. Building on their strengthened reputation as a key player in cultural education, the team is looking to expand their work in several ways:

  1. Further Collaborations with International Artists: Having worked closely with Iya Sako and Jokeh Sillah, BeatFeet is eager to deepen these international connections. They plan to explore future projects that continue to bring global music and dance traditions to local communities, potentially inviting more international performers and trainers to collaborate.

  2. Expanding Teacher Training Initiatives: With the success of their CPD program in Nottingham schools, BeatFeet aims to extend their teacher training model to reach more schools across the UK. They will likely focus on creating more digital resources, such as video tutorials and interactive workshops.

  3. Developing the Future Leaders Programme: BeatFeet will continue to nurture the Future Leaders programme, offering mentorship, Arts Award qualifications, and practical experience in cultural leadership. This initiative could grow to include a broader age range and reach more young people interested in arts leadership, providing pathways into creative careers.

  4. Community Engagement and Outreach: A core part of BeatFeet’s mission is to engage with disadvantaged and underserved communities. The team plans to expand their work in Nottingham’s inner-city schools and community groups, using music and dance to foster inclusivity, cultural understanding, and emotional wellbeing, especially in post-pandemic recovery.

  5. Touring and Performance Opportunities: BeatFeet may explore opportunities to take their performances on tour, showcasing the talent and creativity of their team, Future Leaders, and Nottingham’s youth. This could involve regional or national performances, bringing new productions to new audiences.

    Overall, BeatFeet is positioned to build on its success, creating a broader impact in education, the arts, and community development.

BeatFeet extends its heartfelt thanks to Arts Council England for their invaluable support throughout Creative & Cultural Cascade. The funding support and belief in our vision made it possible for us to deliver high-quality cultural training, engage with over 20 Nottingham schools, and provide transformative creative experiences for 600 young people. Thanks to this support, we were able to work with international artists, develop resources for teachers, and empower the next generation of creative leaders. This project has been a significant milestone for BeatFeet, and we look forward to continuing this important work, bringing music, dance, and cultural enrichment to even more communities. Thank you for being a vital part of our journey!