About us

We break down barriers and ensure young people realise their creative futures. Find out what we do.

Who we are

What we do

We believe in the transformative power of the arts.

We deliver innovative and impactful programmes that empower young people. We provide: an incubator to nurture social and artistic growth, springboards for career development, and platforms to showcase brilliant creative practice.

A violinist on stage surrounded by smoke
An aerial view of a band performing to an audience in Rose Theatre
Check out our impact report

Our history

Creative Youth is a charity based in Kingston, London. As the name implies, it was born out of an ambition to encourage and celebrate the creativity of young people – which we define as ages 5 to 30. We held the first International Youth Arts Festival (now called FUSE International) at the Rose Theatre in 2009, which has grown to become the largest festival of its kind in the UK. 

We are a local organisation with an international reach. We have nurtured and showcased a broad range of talent through our festivals, events and training programmes. Thanks to Creative Youth a minimum of 1,500 young people engage with, and benefit from, their involvement in the arts every year. And we’re only just getting started. 

In 2023 we launched FUSEBOX, a new creative space in the heart of Kingston. Here we offer a home for young artists and practitioners to create, develop and share their ideas and work. It is also a hub for our wider arts community, and a home for FUSE International.  

Learn more about FUSEBOX and FUSE International.

a young actor holds a sword above their head plunging it down towards the floor. They are surrounded by a group of actors.