Change the Beat! begins with teenage asylum seekers

Change the Beat! is a creative project that will see 25 teenage asylum seekers, refugees and migrants work with artist Shane O’Driscoll and the Glucksman team to design original artworks for public exhibition. 

Music plays an important role in our daily lives and in our social fabric. We listen to music while alone or with others, through headphones or speakers, in the background or at full volume! Music soundtracks our experiences of traveling, shopping, working or relaxing. The presence of music in so many facets of our lives raises the question - how does music help to shape our identity?

Change the Beat! explores the importance of music in teenage years to support and enrich the development of a positive self-identity as well as providing confidence, motivation and a sense of belonging.

This August, 25 teenage asylum seekers, refugees and migrants have been invited to explore these ideas with artist Shane O’Driscoll and the Glucksman team and to design original artworks for public exhibition. The exhibition will take place at the Glucksman and across Cork city as part of UCC Community Week in October.