Being a Boy, an award-winning project launched by Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) championing young working-class men’s voices through creative workshops, celebrated the launch of a special exhibition at the House of Commons.
The special event, which took place on Tuesday 3 March, was attended by David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister; Jessica Toale, the Labour MP for Bournemouth West; Labour Councillor George Farquhar, Deputy Mayor of Bournemouth; and Councillor Mark Howell, Mayor of Poole, as well as a host of MPs, Lords, and dignitaries.
Sponsored by Jessica Toale, and organised in partnership with Boys' Impact, the exhibition will run until Thursday 5 March and celebrates the young men who've taken part in the Being a Boy project since 2022.
Being a Boy is a flagship programme for under-16s providing a number of fully funded places on selected workshops hosted by AUB that explore the themes of masculinity and identity. The workshops provide a creative channel for participants to reflect on what being a young man means and their own lived experiences.
“I am proud to sponsor the Being a Boy exhibition in Parliament and to champion the remarkable young men whose work is on display this week," says Jessica. "Projects like this demonstrate the power of the arts to build confidence, strengthen identity and open up new pathways for boys who too often face entrenched disadvantage.
“This Government is committed to improving outcomes for men and boys, from addressing educational inequalities that disproportionately affect white working-class boys and those eligible for Free School Meals, to delivering a stronger focus on men’s health and mental wellbeing as part of our wider health strategy. Initiatives such as Being a Boy show what is possible when we listen to young men and boys, invest in early intervention, and create spaces where they can explore who they are.”
The Being a Boy exhibition at the House of Commons showcases highlights from all the Being a Boy workshops, including Empower, Capture, Snapshot, Character, Evolve, Lift Off, Freestyle, Identity, Transform, and Reclaim.
Eleanor Ball, Senior Access and Participation Officer at AUB and the Being a Boy project lead, says, “It was incredible to celebrate the amazing young men who've taken part in the project since 2022 and onwards. We’re so proud to bring the voices of these young men directly to Members of Parliament, celebrating their creativity, their stories, and championing their voices on a national stage.
“Their work is at the heart of this exhibition, and it simply wouldn’t exist without the creativity, joy, and humour they've brought to every workshop over the years. With artworks ranging from poetry, performance, design, and visual art, the exhibition will be a true celebration of all the young men that have taken part, sharing what it means to them to be a boy.”
Before the pandemic, only 17% of male students in Dorset who were eligible for free school meals achieved a grade 9-5 in GCSE Maths and English. For those not eligible for free school meals, that number more than doubles to 42%.
In response to tackling these issues, AUB launched its award-winning Being a Boy initiative; an effectively targeted project that engages boys on free school meals, a key underrepresented demographic at universities. The social mobility project provides space for young men to creatively engage with the role of masculinity in their day-to-day lives.
“This exhibition is an opportunity to celebrate the creative successes and achievements of the young men from all four years of the Being a Boy project," adds Eleanor.
“We are so proud of the young men involved in the project, for their bravery, honesty and humour. Being a Boy has provided them with an opportunity outside of the classroom environment to explore their experiences, discuss mental health, and tell their stories to the world.”
