Part of the Arts Council England’s National Portfolio for 2018 - 22, ArtsTrain is a unique and pioneering creative music programme managed by Mytime Active. Our award-winning programme uses an innovative model of music making, drawing from music practice across multiple genres. Since 2008, we have helped children and young people facing challenging circumstances, to create outstanding original music. We have supported the development of thousands of young people, transforming the cultural music landscape within the London Boroughs of Bromley, Bexley and Lewisham.
We're proud of our life changing programme and its outcomes within the community. See inspiring examples of our work below.
Bexley College
Artstrain with CASPA
ArtsTrain runs weekly Academy music sessions in Bromley and Bexley which allows talented young people to develop their musical skills and promotes their wellbeing through songwriting and collaborating with other young musicians. This culminates in performance opportunities throughout the year. E.g: a performance in partnership with Serious at the EFG London Jazz Festival 2021 where our young people performed at The Southbank Centre.
Watch the performance at the EFG London Jazz Festival 2021 below:
What our young people say about ArtsTrain
"This project has helped me discover how to control my anger better in and out of the project and more importantly to start believing in myself."
Jaimie, 15
"When first arriving at ArtsTrain, I was not a very confident artist and I didn’t believe in my own ideas, nor how talented I could be if I put myself out there. After being pushed to put myself out there more and to develop my own style, I have been able to successfully write my own songs, arranging the accompanying parts as well. Confidence is such a great skill to have to better myself in every aspect of my life and studies, especially in music and theatre studies."
Donna, 17
ArtsTrain has given me new skills to help me with my anxiety, the breathing help to calm me down and if I’m stressed I sing and that helps me too. I have learnt that I can be more confident in what I do and to face my fears and challenge them with positivity.
Le-Troy, 16
Other Projects
Over the Christmas break some of our young people spent two days at Annerly Town Hall, Crystal Palace, writing and producing two tracks.
Listen to a track from the Crystal Palace Christmas workshop
Check out the first in our interview series: A chat with the jazz musician, Ashley Henry, who has worked closely with ArtsTrain
ArtsTrain celebrates its 10-year anniversary
Read more about the young people who have been a part of this project, and the impact it has made on their lives.
For more information:
Email artstrain@mytimeactive.co.uk or call 020 8323 1707.
