YOUNG people not in education, training or employment are being urged to join an art project to brighten up this summer’s Cowley Road Carnival.

Those on the free Culturevator course will make carnival costumes to wear for the much-loved procession in Cowley Road on Sunday, July 6.

Another course called Beat This will teach youngsters aged 14 to 25 music skills and they will also perform at the carnival.

It will be held at Fusion Arts, Princes Street, East Oxford, starting later this month.

It is the second part of a pilot project aimed at helping young people not in work or education.

Last autumn it worked with 10 young people to create lanterns for the city’s popular Christmas Light Night on November 22.

The project is funded by Arts Council England, the Youth Ambition Fund and housing association GreenSquare.

Project development officer Lizzy McBain said: “This will give young people the chance to learn and develop new skills.

“It will take in a lot of different aspects, including film and photography and they will be able to explore what interests them.

“At the end of the course, we will put on an exhibition of all their work here at the centre.

“If the participants want to they will also be able to gain an Arts Awards Accreditation for which a bronze level is equivalent to a GCSE and a silver level the equivalent to an A-Level.

“This can really help them in the future.”

Professional artists Emily Cooling and Helen Jacobs will work with up to 12 students on the Culturevator course.

Participants will teach youngsters at New Marston Primary School and another venue yet to be announced the skills they have learned.

Culturevators will start on April 23 and run every Wednesday between 4pm and 6.30pm until July 9.

Work will be exhibited at Fusion from July 7 to 11.

The Beat This programme will launch at an event on Thursday, April 24, at the Rose Hill Hub in The Oval.

Here young people will be able to sign up and meet those who took part in a Fusion music project in Witney.

It will then run each Thursday from 4pm to 6.30pm until July 10.

Transport expenses are available for those who would not otherwise be able to access the course.

For information or to book a place, call 01865 245735 or email lizzy@fusion-arts.org or visit fusion-arts.org