Artswork

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Artswork Empowering young people through creativity

Artswork is the national, independent youth arts development agency, committed to making a difference to the lives of young people at risk aged 12 – 25. We do this in two ways:

- Direct project work, providing creative opportunities for young people.

- Delivering professional development resources for a wide range of professionals working with young people.

Not sure which safeguarding course is right for you? We have four e-learning courses, so there's one for every role:Intr...
12/10/2026

Not sure which safeguarding course is right for you?
We have four e-learning courses, so there's one for every role:
Introduction: for everyone in your organisation
For Volunteers: for stewards, guides and first points of contact
Essentials: for those working directly with young people
Advanced: for DSLs/DSOs, managers and senior leaders

Learn at your own pace with videos, quizzes and reflection activities. Courses start from £16.

Book from the link in our comment below.

09/10/2026

“I think nature is the same everywhere.”

This video was made by young people on our Portsmouth Creative Skills programme and celebrates their favorite places in the city. The group worked on all aspects of making this and 3 other videos with , many not having any prior filmmaking experience, and all gaining new skills and knowledge for their futures.

You can watch all 4 videos and a behind the scenes look on our YouTube, following the link in our bio to the playlist - and we’ll be sharing the rest of the videos here through the next few weeks.

Good youth voice work isn't about collecting opinions.It's about creating the conditions that help young people contribu...
05/10/2026

Good youth voice work isn't about collecting opinions.

It's about creating the conditions that help young people contribute confidently and meaningfully.

That includes thinking about participation, communication, support, and how young people will understand the impact of their involvement.

Our upcoming Managing Meaningful Youth Voice Projects course is designed for anyone planning or delivering creative projects, programmes, consultations or activities with young people. Together, we'll explore practical approaches to making youth voice more inclusive, purposeful and manageable.

📅 22 October
💻 Online via Zoom
💷 £149

🌱 Learning with Artswork helps support our wider mission to empower children and young people through creativity.

Book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-meaningful-youth-voice-projects-tickets-1992136756666?aff=LinkedIn

02/10/2026

Inspired by Portsmouth’s Centenary celebrations, local young people on our Creative Skills Programme have worked with to produce four short films identifying some of their own special places across the city. The group also directed and filmed a behind the scenes video - you can watch all of these on our YouTube channel (link in bio). We’re so proud of the films created, go check them out and we hope you enjoy viewing Portsmouth through the lens of the group 🎥

Announcing - HOPE: Youth Voices for ChangeWe are proud to present HOPE, a youth-led exhibition opening at the Mall Galle...
29/09/2026

Announcing - HOPE: Youth Voices for Change

We are proud to present HOPE, a youth-led exhibition opening at the Mall Galleries in January 2027. 

Bringing together artwork, film, sound and storytelling created by young people, this exhibition will explore some of the most pressing challenges facing society today, including mental health and wellbeing, climate and environmental responsibility, community cohesion, and future opportunities for young people. 

At its heart, HOPE celebrates young people's creativity, leadership and vision for a better future.

Join us from 10-23 January 2027 to experience a powerful collection of work that inspires conversation, connection and change. 

📍 Mall Galleries, London �🎟️ Free admission
Find out more: https://www.mallgalleries.org.uk/exhibitions-events/hope-youth-voices-change


Asking young people for their opinions isn't the same as youth voice done well.Our new live online courses explore condi...
28/09/2026

Asking young people for their opinions isn't the same as youth voice done well.
Our new live online courses explore conditions, power and influence, from planning projects well to moving beyond tokenism to supporting young people in strategy and decision-making.

Online via Zoom, 10:00-16:00, £149 per course.
Dates: 22 Oct, 17 Nov 2026 & 12 Jan 2027.

Book now: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/working-with-young-people-supporting-youth-voice-4072063/?aff=escb&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utm-source=cp&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utmmedium=discovery

September has been our learning month at Artswork Professional Development, and there are only a few days left to make t...
28/09/2026

September has been our learning month at Artswork Professional Development, and there are only a few days left to make the most of it.

Our £75 CPD Learning Pass gives you unlimited access to our full eLearning library for 60 days, so whatever you're wanting to skill up on, it's covered.

If you've been meaning to sign up, now's the time.

Offer ends on Wednesday at 11.45pm.

Start learning today. https://artswork.thinkific.com/bundles/september-2026-learning-pass

Last month, we invited Mae, a former Breakthrough trainee to our staff meeting to provide her perspective on accessing t...
16/09/2026

Last month, we invited Mae, a former Breakthrough trainee to our staff meeting to provide her perspective on accessing the arts, as a diverse young person.

This is what she told us.

"2026 has highlighted there are unique barriers young minorities have to face to enter the creative world - I’ve felt it, and I know many others my age have too.

A tough job market pushing young people to whatever job they can get (around 1 million young people NEET in 2026).

A lack of representation in the arts world diminishing feelings of belonging (15% representation in 2023).

Political tension stirring feelings of unsafety existing in society (86% of Britons perceiving tension between immigrants and people born in the UK in 2025).

Turning to creativity as a place of community, belonging and safety has never been more crucial - and it’s even more important that space is made for young minorities who are disproportionately challenged in accessing and staying within the arts world.

This is my appeal to the creative community.
Youth Service providers: what are you doing to ensure young minorities have dedicated spaces of representation?

Employers: how can you ensure young minorities feel included and welcomed in an increasingly volatile economic, social and political world?

Young people: What steps can you take to get closer to creativity, that feel safe for you?

My advice for young people thinking about this last question, would be to go and seek out inclusive creative communities, such as minority-dedicated collectives. Look on social media or on local event websites; they exist and are waiting for you!"

- Mae, former Breakthrough Trainee

We firmly believe that everyone has the right to live free from intimidation, discrimination and hate. We work alongside...
08/09/2026

We firmly believe that everyone has the right to live free from intimidation, discrimination and hate.

We work alongside young people and communities across Portsmouth and Dover, and have been shocked and saddened by recent events that have left many people feeling threatened and unsafe.

We condemn any actions that seek to divide communities or make people feel unwelcome, and remain committed to creating opportunities for connection and positive change in our communities.

Address

MAST Mayflower Studios, 142-144 Above Bar Street
Southampton
SO147DU

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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