GLOW Creative Connections

GLOW Creative Connections is a multi-partner action research project exploring collaborations between artists and educational professionals working on projects that aim to improve young people’s social and emotional wellbeing.

The number of young people experiencing social and emotional mental health challenges in education is increasing. Whilst there is growing evidence of the wellbeing benefits of engaging in expressive arts activity, there has been a decline in the availability and uptake of arts provision in schools.

At the same time, there is growing compelling evidence of the benefits of engaging in expressive arts activity (How cultural learning can be used to overcome the current crisis in young people’s mental wellbeing, www.culturallearningalliance.org.uk).

GLOW Creative Connections asks:

• Can greater mutual understanding and practice sharing between cultural sector practitioners and teachers help schools and colleges meet this challenge?
• How might co-creative residencies provide an alternative lens for looking at the issues?
• Will observing, reflecting on and experimenting with co-creative practice methods suggest alternative approaches for teachers?

How it works:

We worked with three settings based in Newcastle upon Tyne to identify pupil or student groups and recruit a Resident Artist:

• A Mainstream Secondary School
• A Further Education College
• An Alternative Academy Provision

We created an Action Learning Group of teachers and creative practitioners working with young participants on this project, and scheduled periodic meetings for reflection and shared learning at each stage of the process.  This was facilitated by our researcher in residence, Dr. Florrie Darling.

Each residency was co-created between artists, teachers or lecturers and young participants, and each had its own art-form, practice and thematic focus.

They all shared an over-arching aim to positively contribute to the wellbeing of the children and young people engaged in the project, and to critically consider how working partnerships and co-creative practices can benefit students and teachers.

Our GLOW Creative Connections report and resource bank:

(PUBLICATION DATE: 25/09/2025)

This resource includes:

• Case study examples
• Teaching and learning materials
• Reflections on our learning from the project

Download the full pack – report and resources (Link active from 25/09/2025)

Download resources only (Link active from 25/09/2025)

Download report only (Link active from 25/09/2025)

Our thanks to the young people who participated so creatively in this project.

Our thanks also to:

• John Quinn, Becky MacKenzie, Ken Masters and Adam Cogdon, our GLOW Artists in Residence
• Walker Riverside Academy staff Lizzie Lloyd, Anna Tamworth, Shauna Gill and Headteacher Gareth Smith
• Newcastle College Childcare Lecturers Trish Pearson, Sarah Bell, Laura Stacey-Niklas and Head of Curriculum Mark Hutchinson
• Mary Astell Academy staff Sarah Bone and Deputy Headteacher Nicola Gill
• Dr. Florrie Darling, our GLOW Researcher in Residence
• Gary Wright, Director of School Improvement and Prof Sue Scott (GLOW Newcastle Trustees)

This work was funded by the North East CA.

We’re thankful to: