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25 Bursars for 25 mentee spots in West Yorkshire - can you help?

"I really value being a member of the Youth Collective because it has connected me to a wider network of peers"

Freda, aged 21, from London, joined the Arts Emergency Youth Collective in 2022. As part of the Collective, Freda has been instrumental in formulating their manifesto, created graphics for the cohort and helped organise the Art World Is Our World festival.

I applied to join the Youth Collective because I wanted to get more involved with Arts Emergency, be a voice for the Young Community, and meet like-minded young people.

As a member of the Youth Collective I’ve attended workshops, events and meetings. Although the members of the Youth Collective are based in different cities around the UK, it’s great meeting up, especially in person, and having space to discuss the challenges faced by young people wanting to engage with the creative industries.

Although the members of the Youth Collective are based in different cities around the UK, it’s great meeting up, especially in person

In June 2023, to celebrate Arts Emergency’s 10th Birthday, the Youth Collective organised a festival in Manchester for the Young Community. Together we curated the festival, which we decided to call The Art World Is Our World, booked panellists including actors Julie Hesmondhalgh and Lamin Touray, and workshop facilitators, budgeted for the event and delivered it on the day.

Highlights from the festival. Filmed and edited by Ayah Khan

I created digital content to promote the festival to the Young Community to encourage them to attend. Around 50 members of the Young Community came and it was so nice to bring them together to talk and network, and it felt like a real bonding experience for the Collective and the Community.

I really value being a member of the Youth Collective because it has connected me to a wider network of peers and given me access to opportunities.


Freda's artwork featured in the Youth Collective's zine, take a look here.