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The kids are all right

Angela Kelly
2/ 4/2008

FINDING interesting activities to occupy youngsters is like training puppies – you find something they want to do, then order them to do it.

But one Manchester building has become such a magnet for youths that they happily go along at all hours of the day to be creative.

Zion Arts Centre on Stretford Road, Hulme, houses an eclectic mix of individuals and art in all its forms. Since opening in 2001 the handsome Edwardian building has become home to a wide array of first-class facilities which attract some 800 five to 25-year-olds each month.

Envisaged as a centre of arts excellence for children and young people – and the obvious home for Manchester City Council’s music and dance service – its current occupiers are a fascinating mix who reflect both the city’s culture and its aspirations.

Creativity and development manager Kay Wells is optimistic about the future. She is new in post, straight from a Bradford theatre company for adults with disabilities but, having lived in Manchester for several years, she has a good understanding of local people.

"It’s very unusual to have such a cross-section of people under one roof and have so many talents available," she said.

As well as gallery workspace and studios for music, dance, radio and recording, Zion is the base for the Drake Music Project, Odd Theatre Company and Dance Initiative Grater Manchester (DIGM).

Alongside these tenants are also several organisations with longstanding links to Zion, including British Ballet, Royal National Ballet, Reel MCR, Solid Earth Arts Collective, Manchester Youth Arts Network and Manchester Youth Service.

What all this influence means is opportunity – a chance for youngsters from Hulme, Moss Side, Old Trafford and right across Manchester to come along.

For the princely sum of £1 an hour, they can dance with friends, act, listen to music or just talk.

"There’s a great vibe here," Kay added. "Because of the age range, it’s also a place where youngsters can see aspirational figures, whether because they’re cool and trendy or just very talented. But this is also a secure and safe environment so they can come along up to 10pm if they wish." Part of her job is to address the public’s perception of what Zion is and does. "It’s had a mixed image in the past, and people don’t always realise now exactly what there is here, what it can do," she said. "Unlike most arts organisations, which have a set idea of where they’re going but haven’t the funds or a place of their own, Zion is the other way around."

One way to ensure it offers services of interest to young people is to talk to them.

"It’s never any good assuming that they want a graffiti workshop or MCing workshop because this changes week by week," said Kay. "It’s only by having their input that we can always give them what they want."

She’s also looking at links with organisations in Yorkshire and Liverpool, and Zion – in spite of a recent failed People’s Millions bid – hopes to get cash from the Young People’s Fund to aid future plans.

Zion is also one of those places that comes into its own at half-term – it has a lively schedule to keep youngsters happily busy and creative.

The centre has also relaunched its website. Caroline Boyd, Zion’s business and audience development officer, says: "We want to inspire and enable young people to fulfil their creative potential and, quite often, this means having a platform on which to showcase sound, video and graphics.

"We look forward to hearing young people’s view through opinion polls and the Forum page of the website."

Kay herself is already a contented woman: "Why not?" she said. "This is my dream job."

To learn more about Zion Arts Centre visit www.zionarts.com, ring 0161 226 1912 or simply turn up.