Workshop Delivery
With over 18 years working in participation arts I pride myself on my ability to connect, create and inspire participants from a range of backgrounds and age groups.
My multi-disciplinary approach focusses on the process, creating connections between participants, inspiring creativity and encouraging self-expression, play and conversation through the arts.
“Arji is a long time collaborator of the Roundhouse leading cross art-form projects with young people across our programmes - from local schools and community/youth settings, to targeted work with refugees and asylum seekers, and young people not in education, employment and training.
Arji is a highly experienced and skilled facilitator and his sessions are warm, engaging and inclusive spaces where young people feel safe and inspired to explore and expand their creative horizons.”
– Cathy Weatherald, Community Programme Manager at The Roundhouse, London
Biography
I’ve has been a creative facilitator for over 15 years. After finishing my degree in Drama and English I began facilitating workshops with Apples and Snakes learning quickly the merits of poetry in the classroom.
At the same time I was running drama workshops with The Young Vic, Mousetrap Theatre Projects, Finchley and Lewisham Youth Theatre. This theatrical angle runs into my approach which encourages learning to be a physical and energetic act.
This led to me gaining training and experience teaching in more challenging settings like prisons, Immigration Removal Centres, Pupil Referral Units, Secure Children’s homes and Refugee camps.
Expertise in working with Migrant communities
I’m constantly inspired by my participants. My workshops focus on the ‘process’ not the ‘product’. I believe wholeheartedly in the importance of play and encourage participants to take risks and experiment with a variety of artistic mediums.
Over the last ten years I’ve specialised in facilitating arts workshops with migrant communities. I planned and delivered workshops with Kazzum Arts for Refugee week visiting over 10,000 students in three years. We helped educate children and young people about the challenges that refugees face in this country. I’m the co-facilitator with Brighter Futures (www.brightfutureslondon.co.uk) running weekly sessions with some of the most talented young migrants in the world. I’ve run sessions with Refugee Council, EEA and Talawa looking specifically at encouraging young people to be activists and campaigners. I believe that these workshops are some of the most important I have facilitated.
A trauma informed approach to teaching
Over the last ten years poetry has become my main focus. My poetry sessions are multi-disciplinary drawing on the work of contemporary poets from across the world. Recently, I’ve taught for a range of companies including City Lit, Arvon, Apples and Snakes, Southbank Centre, BAC and many more.
So if you’re looking for a facilitator with a trauma enforced approach working in a multi-disciplinary style to encourage creativity in poetry, storytelling, music , visual art and drama. Contact me now.
Arji has a natural ability to connect and inspire through artistic engagement. He facilitates groups with energy and sensitivity, honouring the lived experiences of his participants and offering limitless pathways into imagination and joy. Working with Arji for almost 20 years,
I have experienced the impact of his artistry many times and gained a sense of the deep purpose which runs throughout his creative practice.
Alex Evans, Artistic Director at Kazzum Arts
