We believe in the power of sculpture to inspire, engage, and build confidence in young people. That’s why we developed Team Sculpture—a long-term engagement programme designed to foster deeper connections with contemporary art. Created in partnership with Young Enterprise Scotland, the project provides hands-on opportunities for young participants to explore sculpture in meaningful ways.

For our pilot, we collaborated with Govan High School’s Positive Destinations Team to deliver a 10-week programme mirroring our SPG Loan Project. The initiative allowed participants to visit contemporary art galleries and production sites, create their own artworks in workshops led by acclaimed artist David Sherry, and take an active role in placing sculptures within their local community. Through this process, they developed essential skills in project management, marketing, and public engagement, while growing their confidence and connection to the arts. The project culminated in the group selecting an artwork by Rachel Lowther called Mohammad Plays, an artwork that highlights the plight of the Palestinian people. The artwork was proudly displayed at the school after an opening event attended by students, staff and the public.

Following the success at Govan High, we were thrilled to expand Team Sculpture to Dunbar Academy, where students took part in artist-led workshops exploring contemporary art and creative processes. The project culminated in another major milestone: the installation of Gerroff! (or User Feedback) (2021) by artist Mick Peter at the school. Known for his playful, narrative-driven sculptures, Peter’s work was selected by the students to become a lasting feature of their environment—a testament to their creativity and engagement.

Collaborating with artist David Sherry on wearable sculptures challenged participants to step outside their comfort zones, fostering self-expression and encouraging them to articulate their perspectives on contemporary art. This immersive approach has demonstrated the power of creative engagement, opening doors to new experiences!

The impact of Team Sculpture has been overwhelmingly positive, not only for the young people involved but also for our ongoing work in arts education. Looking ahead, we’re excited to build on this success with a new partnership project at Barnardo’s Gap Homes, continuing our mission to empower and inspire through sculpture.