Art Beyond Gaze Erasmus Project

Project Title

Art Beyond Gaze

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Partnerships for Creativity

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Access for disadvantaged; Inclusion – equity; Youth (Participation, Youth Work, Youth Policy)

Project Summary

ART BEYOND GAZE (ABeyGA)

CONTEXT/BACKGROUND
Art creation allows the individuals to fulfill themselves, to express their deepest feelings, and to eliminate the intensity of everyday life. It is considered to be the tool for communication and verbal and/or non-verbal expression of intimate feelings in an alternative way. Art creations, in different forms (such as painting, sculpture, music, etc) can also serve therapeutic purposes especially for young learners with Special Educational Needs and Difficulties (SEND).
In our digital era, art can be supported by many innovative methods, tools and practices which can offer the chance for a better social inclusion for young learners. Art technology offers a unique opportunity to tackle discrimination through its globalization and accessibility to all individuals.
The peculiar circumstances created by COVID 19 highlight the importance of digital art creation as a means of communication and expression, given that during the pandemic the distance between individuals is imposed; art functions as a bridge which unites people and nations world-wide.

AIM/OBJECTIVES
In the above frame, the general aim of ABeyGA project is to approach art creations in an alternative way with the total involvement of senses within art workshops and cultural environments in general (e.g. museums, cultural centers etc) and to support young learners especially with SEND, so they can be successfully included in their school and social environment through art education.
More specifically, this program aims to design, implement and evaluate alternative innovative activities (through digital, multi-sensory and interactive methods in approaching art), and exchange the good transnational practices/activities between the partners.
Also:
– to develop a holistic global conception of art using all sensations (look but also touch, hearing, smell)
– to adopt a multicultural approach of artworks opened to new worldviews (different perception of colors, sounds, art materials depending on the country of origin)
– to engage the young people in the reproduction of known art works using digital or/and natural materials from the regions/countries involved
– to support young people especially with SEND to be involved in communication by and for young people

BENEFICIARIES
The beneficiaries of the project are mostly young learners with SEND and vulnerable young people in general, youth workers, educators and social work organizations, but also families, other young people, schools, colleges, high schools and universities.

INTELLECTUAL OUTPUTS/ACTIVITIES
The project’s Intellectual Outputs are a “Train the trainer” art Guidebook that will be made by PDETh organization (GREECE) for art teachers and youth trainers that focuses on how to organize art activities in schools and non-formal art & youth organizations. Also, a “Digital Game for Young Learners” made by COAT (ITALY) related to the production of artistic material (3D animation and games) by using high-tech technology in order for the art creation to be more comprehensible and accessible to the young people, especially with SEND. Moreover, “Evaluating Videos” made by BLUE ROOM (ITALY) to assess the workshops’ products and practices through videos. Last but not least, a “Digital Art Folder” made by OPENUP (GREECE), as a digital library for the digitized artistic material – work (images, sound, text) created in the art and digital workshops.
The ABeyGA project also includes training activities which are the “Digital Training Activities” realized by COAT and the “Art Workshops” realized by the Escola d’Art d’Olot. Additionally, the “Local Workshops -Trainings” activities will involve local cultural centers, galleries, schools special and not, vet schools, public bodies to spread the above mentioned innovative practices and the knowledge acquired to the youth workers and the young people, so they can be implemented.
For the accomplishment of the IOs, five consortium meetings will be organized throughout the project every 5 months with the involvement of two participants from each partner. The kick-off meeting will take place in Larissa, Greece, the second one in Trevi, Italy (Digital Training), the third meeting in Barcelona, Spain (art workshops), the fourth one in Lyon, France (discussion about the Pilot Art Workshops) and the final project meeting in Athens, Greece, (assess the overall project cycle and analyze the main successshortcomings).

RESULTS
The expected results connected to the IOs and activities are related to the personal and professional development of the trainers so as to respond more efficiently to the demands of their social role, as parents, teachers, professionals. As for the young, especially with SEND, the project will guarantee the development of their learning skills and the reinforcement of their social- emotional abilities and self- expression to be included in their social and cultural environment.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 208370 Eur

Project Coordinator

PERIFEREIAKI DIEFTHYNSI PROTOVATHMIAS & DEFTEROVATHMIAS EKPAIDEFSIS THESSALIAS & Country: EL

Project Partners

• Associazione COAT – Centro Orientamento Ausili Tecnologici Onlus
• ESCOLA ART I SUPERIOR DE DISSENY D’OLOT
• INTEGRA, Associació Discapacitats Intel·lectuals
• BLUE ROOM INNOVATION SL
• UNIVERSITE LUMIERE LYON 2
• Open Up, Greek Scientific Association of Innovation