I have worked as a writer and artist with a range of organisations such as B Arts, Northern Ballet Theatre, Lets Go, The Arvon Foundation and Contact (young people’s theatre) and with a range of participants, from those with little experience of the arts and creative writing, to those aspiring to become writers and artists.

My projects and residencies include a diverse range of groups, including young people, women’s groups and Black/Asian groups. I have designed and delivered training for a wide range of clients including INSET for teachers and other professionals. As a Media Artist I have facilitated creative workshops in a range of digital media including augmented reality, video, photography and social media. Two recent digital projects are My Poppy for Lets Go Global and The Salmagundi for B Arts.

I am currently working with 42nd Street and Creative Producers Lets Go as a Digital Artist on Q42. Q42 is a LGBTQ+ digital project for 13-18 year olds across Greater Manchester.

We are working with leading artists and movers and shakers from the creative media sector to co-design and produce a new digital platform to connect and build an innovative online network. Q42 will be created by LGBTQ+ young people for LGBTQ+ young people, to develop online and offline friendships, explore and develop creative ideas and to challenge any isolation and loneliness felt within our community.

Previous residencies and workshops:

Salford Museum and Lets Go Global with Eccles Youth Club
I worked with young people to explore their connection with and stories of The Bridgewater Canal. The young people involved learnt a host of new skills, including video production, audio recording and using different social media platforms to broadcast their work. It also built confidence, provided those that participated with an inter-generational experience, and by the end of the project the young people had a better understanding of the history of the canal.

Girlguiding North and Lets Go Global
A Social Media and Blogging workshop for Lets Go Global and girl guiding north – Arts in the City. The participants had a taster workshop learning how blogging and social can enrich their working practice. Here’s the blog containing the Learning Zones for the workshop.

My past projects have involved using a range of art forms with a wide range of groups. For example, I worked with Litfest on Bright Artistic Minds, working with a group of young people from across Lancashire, producing a web publication for the Lancashire Youth Arts Audit. I worked with Lime Art using creative writing, drama and visual art for health and well-being issues. I worked with community groups at Derby Playhouse using creative writing to uncover stories which were woven into a play – FrankenAsian performed in the studio theatre.

sphere : dreams
I worked with a group of Asian women and artist Shanaz Gulzar to create a multi-media Installation. Commissioned by QUN International Festival and sited in Sackville Park, Manchester.

For details of past playwrighting work and workshops see my blog: mayachowdhry.wordpress.com