Making Space - Growing, Changing, Becoming

What does it mean to grow up in Coventry? Our Youth Leadership Collective curates an interactive exhibition that explores their past, present and future selves. 

They take us on their journey as a young person in our city, posing questions and encouraging responses from visitors on the themes that matter most to them. Through poetry, performance, photography and music, the Collective invites audiences to get to know them better and shares the voices, passions and ambitions of their generation. 

The exhibition will also include artworks made by Key Stage 1 pupils on our Classroom of Creativity Primary Schools project alongside activity prompts created by artists Sam Strachan and Naoibh McNamee, who have been working on our primary school’s programme this year. They will deliver workshops in the exhibition space throughout the summer term, activating the space. 

The Youth Leadership Collective is an open and creative space for young people aged 15 – 22 from Coventry to work on shaping their leadership and creative skills to consider their future and advocate for change.

Our current Youth Leadership Collective are Akien, Andrew, Assumpta, Ava, Belinda, Damiola, Danae, Ellie, Ivie, Lily, Megan, Natalia, Rebecca, Theresa. 

With special thanks to their creative mentor Ayesha Jones, Adele Harrison of Cov Cloth, Artist Polly Brant, Poet Sipho Eric Ndlovu, and Filmmakers & Educators INTO Film. 

In partnership with YMCA Heart Of England.