Jan Nimmo has over 25 years of experience working on arts projects with a huge diversity of people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds - from older people to primary school children, vulnerable people and communities of interest. Jan believes that everyone has the right to a voice and that by using creative methods, people from all walks of life can have a voice. She see her role as to facilitate this process and to help build people's confidence and to work collectively or individually depending on the client.

Community Projects and Participatory Banners

Whilst working regularly as a community artist on projects with CTDU (Community Training and Development Unit, Forth Valley) Jan developed a methodology for making participatory banners which helped groups explore issues and build confidence though discussion, drawing, making. This hands on, participant friendly approach has been rolled out to many groups who have wishes to raise awareness of issues such as mental health, disability, the environment, refugees, conflict, community, protest (anti-war/ anti-poverty), identity, solidarity and labour rights. The banners can be made in a day (excluding preparation) or can be made over a number of sessions. No previous or specialist knowlege is necessary. Jan's sessions are designed to put participants at ease and to draw out creative ideas that will enable them to put their ideas and a opinions across.

Banner and communiy arts projects clients include CTDU, RaPal, Disability Awareness Group, Health in Mind, WEA, Scottish Jubilee, Edinburgh Refugee Group, The Medical Foundation/ Glasgow Open Museum, Glasgow Museum Education Services, Braendam Link, Women Supporting Women, Artlink Central, Artlink Edinburgh, Glasgow Women's Library, New Deal, Scottish Coop, World Youth Congress Scottish Refugee Council and The GRAB Trust. View images from community projects or the banners in Jan's gallery . If you would like a group or school to work with Jan to make particpatory banner download information sheet here or contact Jan.

Video training

Jan collaborates with Iñigo Garrido/ OaksBark and together they offer video training workshops - these are aimed at campaign groups, trade unions and other people and groups who wish to promote social and environmental projects. The training options includes a one day intensive session where groups can learn, from scratch, how to make and upload their own films and to upload them onto social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter - for more information visit OaksBark Training. Jan is a member of Glasgow film collective, Camcorder Guerrillas.

Workshops in schools and with young people

Over the last 25 years Jan has delivered many workshops in schools, both primary and secondary, as well as working with looked after and accommodated young people and young people with a variety of complex needs. These workshops have involved a wide variety of media from drawing, painting, collage and textile work to 3D work, mask making and printmaking. Often her workshops are inspired by introducing popular arts from other cultures and they inevitably involve lots of bold colour.

Jan has worked through Glasgow Museum Education Services and carried out projects for BASIS (Barhead Housing Association Wider Role), Art in Partnership, The Lighthouse, and has worked on recycling and marine litter projects with the GRAB Trust, Argyll, and with Toryglen Social Inclusion Partnership.

If your school or group would like to work with Jan please contact her. For images of Jan's projects go to gallery.

Tertiary and Adult Education

Jan has taught design at Gray's School of Art Aberdeen, Scottish College of Textiles Galashiels and at Glasgow School of Art - she has also designed and delivered a course on Latin American Popular Culture and Day schools on Traditional Cuban music at DACE, University of Glasgow. Her practice has been used as a teaching resource for students studying Community Development at Moray House.

Volunteering

Camcorder Guerrillas, Hamiltonhill Allotment, Banana Link, World Development Movement, Colombia Solidarity Campaign and Christian Aid including interpreting for Latin American speakers and graphics work.

Current projects

Jan has just started working as arts faciliator on A View From Here for Scottish Refugee Council.