Wellcome Trust launches nationwide Sexology Songwriting project
Young people from around the UK have begun work on a Sexology Songwriting project that will see them exploring the study of sex through music and lyrics.
Five groups, or Hubs, from Manchester, Brighton, Glasgow, Havant and London, are forming collaborations with sexologists and songwriters to create musical responses to contemporary sexology research. This will incorporate various topics and issues, including gender, sexuality and how sex is represented in pop lyrics.
Conceived to run alongside The Institute of Sexology, the forthcoming exhibition at Wellcome Collection, and inspired by the findings from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3), the songwriting project aims to inspire young people (16+) and to develop their interests in sexual health research and the processes involved. The project will culminate in live performances at a series of events, as well as a selection of the songs being made available online and at listening posts at The Institute of Sexology exhibition in February 2015.
Leah Holmes, project lead at the Wellcome Trust, said: “The Sexology Songwriting project is a wonderful opportunity for young people from all walks of life to be involved in exploring and creating exciting musical work that will really get under the skin of the most progressive research in a field most relevant to them.”
Projects are being led by:
The Roundhouse, in collaboration with Wellcome Collection, Natsal researchers and the Sex Education Forum (London) Contact theatre and the University of Manchester (Manchester) Rhythmix, in collaboration with the University of Sussex, Safety Net, Brighton Dome and Brighton Youth Centre (Brighton) Music Fusion, in collaboration with the Spring Arts and Heritage Centre and the University of Southampton (Havant) Tramway/ Glasgow Life, in collaboration with New Rhythms for Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of Glasgow (Glasgow).
Each regional Hub will explore different themes and aspects of sexology research, such as body image, sex and everyday life, sex and relationships education, LGBTQ youth, mental health and consent.
The Sexology Songwriting project forms part of an eclectic national season linking events taking place inside and outside of Wellcome Collection’s London exhibition. The Sexology Season includes three programmes in Manchester, Brighton and Glasgow incorporating live performance, films, salons, archives, talks and literature events.
About the Roundhouse
Each year, the Roundhouse works with over 3,000 11-25s, enabling them to realise their creative potential. The Roundhouse aims to work with young people who have been excluded, marginalised or disadvantaged by society, aiding them to find pathways back into education, work or simply to enjoy a wider cultural life. As well as this the Roundhouse offers audiences of all ages new and extraordinary experiences in live music, circus, theatre and new media.
About Tramway
Tramway is an international art-space which commissions, produces and presents contemporary arts projects. Tramway’s vision is to inspire and add to our understanding of today’s world by connecting audiences and artists. Tramway is programmed and managed by Glasgow Life (the trading name of Culture & Sport Glasgow Ltd) and supported by Creative Scotland as a foundation-funded organisation.
About Rhythmix
Rhythmix is a high quality music and creative agency developing innovative practice, promoting excellence in artistic development and self-expression through music, supporting participants to achieve their creative potential, encouraging self-esteem and enhancing life chances. Rhythmix provides sustained, practical, hands-on music tuition, across a range of contemporary music genres to around 5,000 people a year.
About Contact
Contact is the award-winning national contemporary arts organisation that places young people’s decision-making and leadership at the heart of everything. They work with over 10,000 young people (13+) each year providing opportunities and training for them to work in theatre programming, marketing, technical support, drama, spoken word, music and more and to deliver projects in business and the community.
About Music Fusion
Music Fusion have been in existence since 2002 providing music making activities for young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity. They have delivered music projects to over 30,000 young people including our core work; young people who have experienced 'challenging life circumstances'. Music Fusion’s music-making sessions help build confidence, self-esteem, communication skills and bridges between young people and their communities.
About Wellcome Collection
Wellcome Collection is the free destination for the incurably curious. Located at 183 Euston Road, London, the venue explores the connections between medicine, life and art in the past, present and future. The building comprises gallery spaces, a public events programme, the Wellcome Library, cafe, bookshop, conference facilities and a members' club. The Institute of Sexology runs at Wellcome Collection from 20 November 2014 to 20 September 2015.
About the Wellcome Trust
The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to improving health. We provide more than £700 million a year to support bright minds in science, the humanities and the social sciences, as well as education, public engagement and the application of research to medicine.