Appeal for young volunteers to lead The Takeover Festival

Each year, The Customs House South Shields is taken over by emerging artists and arts professionals for a week of theatre, cinema, music, dance, poetry, hip hop and visual art.

The Takeover Festival runs throughout the May half-term with a line-up of events, competitions, films and performances.

The festival is linked to the national Takeover Day initiative and encourages young people to experience the arts as part of The Takeover Team.

Fiona Martin, deputy director – Learning and Participation at The Customs House, said: “We’re looking for approximately 20 young people aged 15 to 25 to cover a variety of roles to make up our Takeover team.

“The team will meet each week leading up to the half term to discuss and organise the week’s programming according to their roles.”

Highlights of The Takeover festival include the North East Young Filmmakers Awards, Terry Kelly Poetry Prize, Mean Teens Breakdance Jam and theatre residencies.

Fiona added: “The Takeover Festival is an exciting celebration of the arts and this year is going to be our biggest and best yet.

“It gives under-25s from South Tyneside and the wider region a chance to gain once-in-a-lifetime experiences of running a week of theatre, film, poetry, dance, music and visual art and showcasing their work.

“Win prizes, rub shoulders with successful artists and work with industry professionals to develop your skills and take the first steps towards a career in the arts.

“We’ve already helped thousands of young artists and arts leaders gain skills that have pushed them forward and now it’s your chance.”

The Takeover Team roles for 2018 include film award co-ordinator, hip hop co-ordinator, poetry prize co-ordinator, theatre co-ordinator, visual arts co-ordinator, events co-ordinator, marketing co-ordinator, commercial co-ordinator, family workshop assistant, box office assistant and front of house assistant.

• To get involved, email to Catherine Scott at takeoverfestival18@gmail.com