Concrete Youth is delighted to announce ASMaRt, a new ASMR-integrated, sensory story programme for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) in Hull.
In partnership with Feren’s Gallery, the project will build on Concrete Youth’s groundbreaking research project, The ASMR Project in 2021, where they examined the impact of autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) on people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, in collaboration with leading academics and 750 people with PMLD, Concrete Youth is continuing this work by providing free, ASMR-integrated sensory stories for people with PMLD in Hull.
Each month, an original, ASMR-integrated story will be delivered in Ferens Gallery, Hull, inspired by a different piece of artwork found in the gallery. Participants can expect whispering, crunching and highly engaging auditory sensory experiences to immerse them in the story each session.
Concrete Youth is a multi-award-winning charity dedicated to creating ground-breaking and exciting multi-sensory theatre for audiences living with profound multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). The charity’s education department provides Artsmark accredited sensory stories, workshops, parties and sessions designed for those with learning disabilities in schools, care settings and hospices throughout the UK.
ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response; a term used to describe a tingling, static-like, or goosebumps sensation in response to specific triggering audio or visual stimuli. These sensations are said to spread across the skull or down the back of the neck and, for some, down the spine or limbs. When experiencing ASMR sensations, some people report pleasant feelings of relaxation, calm, sleepiness or well-being.
Esther Hallberg, Access and Inclusion Manager for Hull Museums, said: “We’re really excited to be involved in the ASMaRt project with Concrete Youth. Their sensory sessions at the Deep and Hull Libraries have been a great success and have enabled so many children with PMLD to take part in high quality cultural experiences. We’re looking forward to taking this to the next level with them by building on Concrete Youth’s research into the positive impact of ASMR and introducing new audiences to the art in our collections.”
Annabelle Moorman, Concrete Youth’s Head of Education & Outreach, said: “I’m very excited to launch ASMaRt, a brand new programme that delivers ASMR sensory story sessions that are based on the artwork displayed in Ferens Art Gallery. These bespoke whispering sessions will be the first of their kind, providing even more provision in the arts for people with additional needs. The sessions which are especially for people with PMLD provide new cultural exposure for a group of people who may have never experienced the phenomenon that is ASMR or may have not visited an art gallery before. This is a very exciting partnership indeed and we can’t wait to see you there!”
Daniel Swift, Concrete Youth’s CEO & Co-Artistic Director, said: “In 2021, we launched a groundbreaking research project with 750 people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, countless leading academics, dozens of artists and we explored the impact of ASMR for our audience and developed it as a sensory experience for them. We then toured our new, ASMR-integrated show, The Whispering Jungle this summer of the pack of the research. Now, we’re building on this research even further and launching an exciting, ASMR-integrated, monthly sensory story programme, in partnership with Ferens Art Gallery. I’m delighted and can’t wait to welcome people to the sessions.
Places for ASMaRt are free, but donations will be at the event and online. Limited places are available at: www.booking-concreteyouth.co.uk/event/asmart-1669300197.
More information about Concrete Youth can be found at www.concreteyouth.co.uk.