During the "Art as Art and Art as a Tool", hundreds of children in grades 5-7 participated in workshops led by international artists, who introduced new creative experiences during school visits in Denmark and Sweden in 2023.

The project also hosted an international conference, attended by artists and representants of partnering Nordic organisations working in the intersection of arts and youth work, which aimed to share know-how in a field where professionals often develop unique and personal working methods.

The project introduced a unique workshop model that combined two art forms, such as dance and music, taught by two instructors in 2-3 hour sessions. Different formats were tested, refining the approach based on feedback.

While the collaboration between artists was successful, balancing two distinct art forms within the short timeframe posed challenges. Younger students were particularly responsive, and the artist showcase - held in connection with the workshops to raise interest - surprisingly worked best when held after the activities.

Overall, the workshops were enthusiastically received, helping students explore new art forms and step outside their comfort zones.

The project also highlighted the need for better communication and preparation in partner schools to ensure teachers could fully support their students, making the workshops more effective and impactful while avoiding divisive social hierarchies which may already be present among the pupils.

The project succesfully bridged gaps between institutions, artists, and schoolchildren, while simultaneously sharing best practices for socially motivated arts workshops held by professional young artists with one foot in social work.

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