Promoting music & dance in adult prison education across Europe
"... promoting creative activity in prisons can bring light and hope to broken, dysfunctional lives. Whether it be drama, music, literature, painting or any other aspect of human creativity, engaging with art is a life-enhancing experience" - Tim Robertson, Director, The Koestler Trust
"When I hear myself on a leaf CD it touches me. When I can show this to others. especially friends and family, I feel that I'm someone" - detainee, Individual Special Care Unit. PI Vught prison, Holland
"Dance education is not simply about helping people to avoid re-offending; it is about helping them to discover their real potential and their innate capacity to succeed" - ‘Dance United' policy statement
The MOVABLE BARRES is a project financed by the European Commission Grundtvig Programme, started in October 2008 to be developed for two years, until September 2010. It is coordinated byThe Manchester Collegethrough theInternational Unit & the Offender Learning Directoratewith support from The European Prison Education Association (EPEA). It aims to create, pilot and disseminate a practical teaching model (a multilingual, multimedia learning package) for the use of music & dance teachers into adult prison education across Europe. This objective will be reached through practical workshops for exchanges of information and best practice between centres experienced in using music & dance in adult prison education and those with limited experience, including specific training courses. The project will develop an effective framework for employing the rich traditions of European music & dance, in particular through the involvement of professional musicians & dance practitioners in adult prison education. Movable Barres will also encourage awareness of cultural diversity within Europe, through the creative use of music & dance in adult prison education, particularly as much of the project takes place during 2009, the European Year of Creativity & Innovation.
The actions will be carried out in England, Northern Ireland, Italy, Greece, Denmark, Norway and Bulgaria.
