Young Creative Awards Nottingham

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Celebrating the creative talent of young people in Nottingham. Enter now > youngcreativeawards.org Over 4,500 entries, more than 350 awards.

Since its inception in 2009, Nottingham’s Young Creative Awards has been an annual fixture in the city’s calendar: a big, bright burst of originality; inspiring, supporting and celebrating young creative talent in Nottingham. Run by Young Creatives Nottingham (registered charity number 1168804), the Young Creative Awards is open to 11-24 year-olds working, living or studying in Nottingham. The annual initiative champions creativity, celebrating achievements in Architecture & Design, Dance, Music, Film, Animation & Digital Media, Fashion & Textiles, Graphic Design, Theatre, Photography and Visual Art. In 2021 nearly 600 young people entered the Young Creative Awards. Past winners of the Young Creative Awards include successful musicians Rob Green and Philip George, writer and performer Bridie Squires, embroidery designer Liss Cooke, acclaimed dancer Jamal Sterrett, social media star R-J Tulloch, and published author Rebecca Constable. To view the Hall of Fame go to www.youngcreativeawards.org. Winners are awarded cash prizes and promotion, as well as mentoring, work placements and professional development opportunities. Crucially, the Young Creative Awards provide recognition, encouragement and support for young people. As Andrew Tucker, Creative Writing winner in 2019, put it, the Young Creative Awards “assembles a sort of scaffolding when you’re doing something wobbly at a rickety sort of age. Someone somewhere doesn’t think you’re wasting your time: keep going.”

It is totally free to enter. Go to www.youngcreativeawards.org to find out more.

09/10/2026

November

20/09/2026

We've been looking through some of the photos of the 2026 awards and reminiscing as we plan for 2027.

We'd love to give a huge shoutout to photographer Luke Brennan, a previous YCA winner and frequent collaborator with the charity, as well as student photographers Maddie Cox and Tilly Arundale. Their fabulous work helps us document and promote the energy and excitement of a wonderful celebration of creativity!

Keep an eye out for updates on YCA 2027!

15/09/2026

Who's spotted some of our amazing creatives at Victoria Centre?

Nottingham's own Vic Centre generously supported our shortlist exhibition for the Young Creative Awards 2026, and now with the help of ChalleNGe, Child Friendly Nottingham, and design by long time YCA supporter STENCIL we're able to continue showcasing some amazing creative work.
Have a visit on the upper concourse towards the car park and bus station.

07/09/2026

🎨 Young Creatives Nottingham is looking for a Treasurer to join the board of trustees! 🖌
This voluntary role involves maintaining an overview of the charity’s finances to continue our work at the Young Creative Awards and through workshops and initiatives throughout the year.
The Treasurer ensures that effective and appropriate financial measures, controls and procedures are put in place and reports to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation.

To register your interest in the role please submit a single page cover letter describing your professional background and interest in the role. Applications will be fielded by the Chair of the Board of Trustees and you may be invited to an informal meeting with one or more trustees at the discretion of the charity. Please be aware that we are actively recruiting for this role across multiple channels.

Contact [email protected]

15/07/2026

The Young Creative Awards Photography winners were:

Matipa G (11 - 15)
The judges felt that Matipa's entry showed a real artistic voice. They said they “felt this imaginative work combines strong research, dreamlike colour, and confident technique”.

Liza S (16 - 18)
The judges thought that the black and white treatment for Liza's photographs created beautiful and powerful renderings. The judges “felt this series shows sensitivity, capturing moments with care and authenticity.”

Sam W (19 - 24)
The judges felt that Sam's entry was technically sharp and well composed. They thought the series “captures intimate, visually compelling moments of a daily commute in London.”

The Photography category is generously supported by Nottingham College

09/07/2026

The Young Creative Awards 2026 Graphic Designs winners were:

Jessica B (16 - 18)
The judges were impressed with Julia's storytelling skills in their editorial design piece. They said the piece had an “Excellent photography selection and restrained use of type contribute to a very confident magazine concept.”

Kitty B (19 - 24)
The judges were impressed in the high level of artistic control demonstrated in Kitty's zine entry. The judges “loved the unique illustrations that weave through the narrative – and the joy found in discovering the small details hidden throughout.”

The Graphic Design category is generously supported by Stencil

16/06/2026

🥁 A big shout out to our house band for YCA 2026, The Collective! 🎺

Run by our long time supporters and collaborators Nottingham Music Service, The Collective is a ensemble for young musicians from or studying in Nottingham. Playing a range of music with a focus on Jazz and Salsa numbers, The Collective also performs at other events in the city throughout the year.

Creative learning environments like Nottingham Music Service are what makes Nottingham so great, nurturing creative and social networks that surpass education and become an important part of the fabric of the city.

📸 Photography by YCA alum Luke Brennan

08/06/2026

The Young Creative Awards 2026 Fashion & Textiles winners were:

Isla B (11 - 15)
The judges were impressed by the ex*****on of Isla's Toadstool costume, as well as the detailed construction. They also said “Demonstrates a thoughtful, well-developed design process with clear planning and attention to detail”

Lexa L (16 - 18)
Lexa's piece entitled ‘Catalyst’ was inspired by the case of Gisele Pelicot and the modern epidemic of violence towards women and girls. The judges were impressed by “Thoughtful details, including meaningful text placement, embroidery, and intricate embellishments, create powerful, unified wearable art of depth.”

Bronwyn C (19 - 24)
The judges were impressed by Bronwyn's three look capsule collection ‘Prismatic’. They praised the “...inventive details in ruched dress shoulders, lace-up trouser sections and effective print placement translate a multi-layered concept into a cohesive, creative, commercially aware collection.”

The Fashion & Textiles category is generously supported by Nottingham College.

06/06/2026

The Young Creative Awards 2026 Creative Writing winners were:

Salman A (11 - 15 age group)
Salman's short story At The Crossroads won the 11-15 age category with its great use of dialogue. The judges said “This is mature writing that shows an admirable sense of control: of scene-setting, characterisation and structure.”

Ash R (16 - 18 age group)
The judges praised Ash's free form poem Mighty Wilderbeast for its imaginative structure and use of language. They said “This was utterly compelling story-telling, designed to repel the reader, but draw them in at the same time.”

Ray Sharma (19 - 24 age group)
The judges called Ray's poem My Blue Crayon ‘powerful’. They also said “This prose piece is pure and honest writing that reaches in, strikes a chord and causes the reader to utter “me too”.”

The Creative Writing category is supported by Potter Clarkson and Archway Schools Trust.

01/06/2026

The Young Creative Awards 2026 Design & Architecture winners were:

Dylan S (11-15)
Dylan's intricate model-making earned him an award for the second time! The judges said Dylan “...has displayed both inspiring creativity and a keen aptitude for physical model making.”

Alesha R (16-18)
Alesha's imaginative miniature of a city street impressed the judges with its consideration for colour, scale and texture. They said Alesha “...presents exceptional artistic flair and an impressive degree of detail and skill.”

Aylla G (19-24)
Judges were impressed by Aylla's string brief and use of materials and textures. They said “she imbues the work with a captivating level of depth in its play with light and shadow.”

The category was generously supported by Maber.

Address

C/o Antenna Media Centre, 15 Beck Street
Nottingham
NG11EQ

Website

http://www.youngcreativeawards.org/

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