The Earhart Experiments

Pre-Games Arts outreach events announced

Forever, the team coordinating the outreach of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) during the 2012 Olympic Games, has announced two pre-Games weekends of outreaches for the Arts community. Called The Earhart Experiments, the weekends are on 6–8 April and 7–9 June, incorporating the Easter weekend and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend. Each weekend will comprise two days of preparation at YWAM Harpenden (an hour from the Olympic Stadium) followed by a day or two of outreach in London.

The weekends are for anyone from the Christian Arts community, and not just for people in YWAM. “Anybody who is interested in using art for outreach, or who is already using it, or who simply wants to find out more, is welcome,” says Rebecca Vargas, Forever team member and Earhart Experiments coordinator. “Whether you are a team or an individual, come.”

“The vision is to see how several different mediums of art can be brought together to make something significantly captivating,” continues Rebecca. “We will explore and discover how art is still influential in bringing others to recognise God’s magnificence in today’s society. We’ll be drawing our inspiration from the likes of British street artist Banksy: remaining minimalistic while targeting big social issues.”

There are three tracks to choose from: dance, music and art campaigns*. With each, the weekend will see what it takes to prepare a creative arts outreach. All three tracks will begin preparation individually but then be brought together at the end to have one collaborative piece for outreach. Each day will include worship, teaching, and outreach preparation. The first (three-day) weekend costs £43, the second (four-day) £60.

“We believe arts outreaches are significant,” says Jonathan Franks, Forever’s Arts Coordinator. “Art crosses boundaries, speaks to people from all cultures and all traditions, challenges. Art is accessible by every generation. Art can impact a much larger audience than we may ever become aware of.”

The events are called The Earhart Experiments as a reflection of the life of Amelia Earhart. She was an extremely talented aviator in the first half of the twentieth century. She was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean and the first person to ever fly from Hawaii to California. She will always be remembered as a woman who took great risks and achieved much. Her accomplishments left the world in awe and inspired many to pursue big dreams. The Earhart Experiments are making an effort to capture the spirit of Amelia Earhart, defying the odds as we try to create art that grabs the public’s attention and speaks of hope.

For more information about the Earhart Experiments, and for downloadable application forms, visit www.forever2012.com/do/events/earhart/

For more information, contact Rebecca Vargas: rebecca@forever2012.com

*Art campaigns: using creative and intellectual tactics (urban knitting, street art, clever word games, flash mob, mime) to catch attention and bring awareness to specific issues.