cyEditor, Author at Creative Youth

FUSEBOX Venue Hire Bookings

Posted on: July 28th, 2026 by cyEditor

Whether you’re planning a private party, performance, exhibition, workshop, meeting, corporate event or community gathering, we’d love to hear from you!

To mark the reopening, we’re offering a 40% discount on all venue hire bookings confirmed by 31 August 2026.* We’re incredibly proud to be reopening FUSEBOX and look forward to welcoming both familiar and new faces through our doors once again.

*Offer applies to all event types at FUSEBOX. To qualify, bookings must be confirmed through a signed Hire Agreement by 31 August 2026. Events must take place between 15 July 2026 and 20 June 2027.

To find out more, visit our Venue Hire page. How to book: Complete our Booking Request Form.

By choosing FUSEBOX, you’re not just booking a unique venue – you’re supporting Creative Youth in championing young people aged 5–30 to access the arts, develop their talent, and build their future in South West London and beyond.

That’s a wrap! FUSE International 2026

Posted on: July 10th, 2026 by cyEditor

The first weekend of FUSE International flew by in a blur of creative, high-energy performances, celebrations and a high street parade. The first Friday marked the reopening of FUSEBOX after over a year closed and we couldn’t have asked for a better spirit throughout the night. Unapologetic filled the space with immersive and joyful cabaret and musical theatre and the atmosphere was electric from start to finish!

The weekend featured Kingston’s first ever Pride parade across the town, ending in a packed performance at The Bentall Centre. In the Rose Theatre, hundreds of young filmmakers celebrated at the Children’s Film Festival followed by musicians competing to win The Battle of the Bands. The Battle of the Bands also welcomed a special guest performance from Pink Eye from Nagaland. Sunday saw the Rose filled with dancers for the Dance Showcase, including our friends from South Korea, the Siheung City Youth Foundation.

The ACT Theatre hosted magical aerial and circus shows by Acrosphere Circus, exploring the world of myths and gods, whilst the Studio was home to a new play ‘Welcome to Broke Street’ by emerging writer Stephanie Caton which impressed audiences across two nights.

During the week, audiences were treated to an extraordinary showcase of talent from across the globe, with spectacular performances from visiting companies from Romania, Sweden and Korea lighting up the ACT Main. Wednesday’s Emerging Dance Showcase, curated by Associate Company Dillon Dance, celebrated the next generation of dance makers and performers in a dynamic evening of fresh choreography and creativity.

The Rose Theatre came alive with show-stopping musical numbers from Thames Music Theatre and Coombe Academy of Performing Arts, while FUSEBOX buzzed with unforgettable experiences, from the anarchic comedy of The Skins to If not this then that – a unique play performed entirely by the audience.

The weekend ended with two epic productions from National Youth Music Theatre, celebrating their 50th anniversary. Their first performance of Growl included international collaborations with Youth Theatre Kenya and Serious Play Shanghai. Our studio spaces were filled with thought-provoking fringe performances, and the ACT Theatre was home to explosive dance performances from Dillon Dance.

Thank you to all our amazing performers, tech teams, volunteers, chaperones and everyone who made the festival such a success!

One year on… FUSEBOX is back

Posted on: June 17th, 2026 by cyEditor

After months of recovery work and negotiations with our venue partners, we’re finally preparing to welcome people back into the space. This milestone would not have been possible without the incredible support of our partners, artists, hirers, audiences and wider community. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this possible.

FUSEBOX has always been a place for creativity, connection and celebration, and we’re excited to see the venue come back to life.

We’ll be reopening for FUSE International, which returns to Kingston from 26 June–5 July 2026. Throughout the festival, FUSEBOX will host a vibrant programme of performances from young and emerging artists, alongside opening up our Festival Bar.

We’re also delighted to be hosting Kingston’s first Pride celebrations in partnership with our friends at Unapologetic dance company, marking an important moment for the borough and a fantastic way to begin this new chapter for the venue.

Looking ahead, we’re working behind the scenes developing an exciting Autumn Programme, with more opportunities to experience live performance, discover new artists and connect with Kingston’s community. Keep an eye on our What’s On page and sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear what’s coming next.

As we reopen our doors, we’re also now taking bookings for venue hire. Whether you’re planning a performance, exhibition, workshop, meeting, corporate event, private party or community gathering, we’d love to hear from you.

To mark the reopening, we’re offering a 40% discount on all venue hire bookings confirmed by 31 August 2026.*

Click here to make a booking through our Booking Enquiry Form.

We’re incredibly proud to be reopening FUSEBOX and look forward to welcoming both familiar and new faces through our doors once again. See you there.

*Offer applies to all event types at FUSEBOX. To qualify, bookings must be confirmed through a signed Hire Agreement by 31 August 2026. Events may take place between 8 July 2026 and 20 June 2027.

Did you miss us? 👀

Posted on: June 2nd, 2026 by cyEditor

Creative Youth Announces Tanvi Ranjan as Associate Artist

Posted on: May 15th, 2026 by cyEditor

Tanvi Ranjan (b.1995, India) is a textile artist whose practice emerges at the intersection of textiles, technology, craft, and contemporary design. Trained in knitwear design, she began her career in India’s knitwear manufacturing sector, working closely with industrial machines, jacquard programming, and production systems. These early industry experiences sparked her fascination with the dialogue between hand and machine, tradition and innovation. She later pursued a Master’s in Fine Art in the UK, where this inquiry evolved into a more expansive, research-driven practice that now informs her artistic and pedagogical work.

Tanvi has participated in solo and group shows across the UK and India, exhibiting textile-led installations, knitted artworks, and process-driven showcases. Her work has been featured in platforms that foreground material innovation, women-led craft ecosystems, and interdisciplinary design thinking. She has also engaged in pedagogical roles, contributing to workshops, community projects, and institutional programmes related to textile experimentation and creative processes.

In 2025, Tanvi co-founded Mechaniya, an art studio and training space that brings underrepresented women into textile technology. Through structured sessions on jacquard software, machine knitting, crochet, and hand embroidery, she nurtures new skills and fosters authorship within participants – many of whom had limited or no access to digital tools or creative opportunities. Mechaniya has since evolved into both a design practice and a social ecosystem, producing knitted jacquard artworks rooted in cultural heritage where machine precision and human touch meet.

Tanvi continues to develop new bodies of work that expand the expressive potential of knitted textiles while advocating for more inclusive, technologically empowered craft futures.

“My artistic practice is rooted in Mechaniya, the studio I co-founded as a space where textile innovation, feminine agency, and machine-led craftsmanship come together. While my work grows from my background in textile and jacquard design, Mechaniya has become the lens through which I create, think, and collaborate. It functions not only as a production studio but as an evolving ecosystem where women can engage with technology, authorship, and material storytelling on their own terms.” – Tanvi Ranjan, 2026

Tanvi’s relationship with Creative Youth first began in 2022 when she was selected as one of our Creative Talent Programme artists while completing her Master of Fine Arts at Kingston University. The CTP is a year-long programme supporting emerging artists through mentorship and professional development, and during her time with us Tanvi deepened her exploration of textile-making, digital information systems, and the relationship between humans and machines. As a CTP Artist, she presented work at both FUSE International and FUSEBOX, where she was among the first visual artists to exhibit following the venue’s launch in 2023.

As a Creative Youth Associate Artist, Tanvi will continue developing new bodies of work internationally while connecting with Creative Youth’s wider community locally and across the world. Through creative projects and cultural exchanges, we are excited to continue collaborating with Tanvi and supporting the next stage of her practice. Her commitment to making creative technology more accessible and championing inclusive approaches to craft strongly reflects Creative Youth’s values and vision for nurturing ambitious, socially engaged artists.

Join our Young Creative Panel!

Posted on: May 8th, 2026 by cyEditor

The Young Creatives panel brings together emerging creatives aged 16–30 from a wide range of backgrounds, disciplines and experiences to help shape and inform the future of Creative Youth.

As a member of the panel, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute ideas, feed into projects and events, connect with other young creatives, and play an active role in conversations around creativity, culture and the future of the arts.

Creative Youth has always been built around young people and their ideas. From FUSE International to FUSEBOX and our wider programmes, young voices are central to the organisation and the work we do.

We’re looking for people who are curious, engaged, collaborative and passionate about creativity in any form. You might already be making work, studying, starting out in the creative industries, or simply looking for a way to get more involved in arts and culture locally.

No formal experience is required, and we welcome applications from people across all creative disciplines and backgrounds.

Being part of the panel is a chance to:

Meet and collaborate with other young creatives
Gain insight into how arts organisations and festivals operate
Contribute to projects, discussions and future ideas
Develop confidence, networks and experience within the arts sector

If you’re interested in creativity, culture and helping shape what comes next, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more and apply via our Live Opportunities page.

DEADLINE: MONDAY 1 JUNE 2026, 23:59.

If shortlisted, applicants will be invited to attend an informal group workshop taking place in Kingston upon Thames on Tuesday 9 June from 17:30-19:30.

If you have any questions or require the application in a different format, or need assistance, please contact Archie at archie@creativeyouthcharity.org. We are happy to support you through the application process, including any access requirements you may have.

We can’t wait to hear from you and look forward to receiving your application!

FUSE 2026: Early Release Tickets on Sale

Posted on: May 1st, 2026 by cyEditor

Dillon Dance Youth Presents (4–5 July, ACT Theatre)
Creative Youth’s Associate Company returns with a bold and powerful evening of contemporary dance, showcasing the next generation of dance talent.

Divine Tides (27 June, ACT Theatre)
A striking circus-led performance exploring myth and transformation, where movement and imagination collide in a reimagined story of Icarus.

GROWL (4 July, Rose Theatre)
An international highlight featuring National Youth Music Theatre alongside performers from Serious Play Shanghai and Youth Theatre Kenya in a heartwarming family musical concert.

The Ragged Child (4–5 July, Rose Theatre)
Marking 50 years of NYMT, this anniversary production celebrates a landmark moment in the company’s history and its international legacy.

The Basement Door: Battle of the Bands 2026 (27 June, Rose Theatre)
A high-energy showcase of emerging young bands, bringing live music, new talent and competition energy into the festival programme.

Honk! (2 July, Rose Theatre)
A brand-new production of the Olivier Award-winning musical, bringing this exciting, modern adaptation of the beloved fable to the FUSE International 2026 programme.

These Early Release tickets offer a first glimpse of what’s to come, with many more shows, artists and festival moments still to be announced.

The full FUSE International 2026 programme and remaining tickets will go on sale on Thursday 21 May, when the full festival line-up is revealed.

STAY TUNED FOR THE FULL PROGRAMME LAUNCH COMING MAY 21ST 2026

fuseinternational.org

26 June – 5 July 2026, Kingston upon Thames

Co-Directors lead Ideas Lab with Kingston University & Studio KT1

Posted on: March 17th, 2026 by cyEditor

We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part. The session was open, thoughtful, and full of honest conversations about what young creatives need from a space like FUSEBOX, and what’s currently missing.

Through a series of interactive discussions, students shared their experiences, challenges, and ambitions. From how spaces are used, to the kinds of opportunities that feel genuinely accessible and relevant, the feedback gave us real insight into how FUSEBOX can better support students and emerging artists.

What stood out most was the clarity and generosity of the ideas in the room. Students spoke about the importance of:

Flexible, affordable space to create and collaborate
Clearer pathways into creative opportunities
A stronger sense of community and connection
Programming that reflects the diversity of practices and voices across Kingston

These conversations will directly inform how we develop and programme FUSEBOX moving forward. The Ideas Lab is part of our wider commitment to co-creation, ensuring that young people are not just participants, but active contributors in shaping the spaces and opportunities designed for them.

We’re grateful to Kingston University and Studio KT1 for collaborating with us, and to every student who gave their time, energy, and ideas.

Creative Youth participate at Envision Conference, Bradford

Posted on: February 19th, 2026 by cyEditor

Our Co-Directors Archie O’Neill and Daniel Cartlidge spoke their journeys with Creative Youth over the past five years and how organisations can support young people at every stage of involvement.

Our Young Creative Thea Melton also spoke about youth leadership and the importance of giving genuine, meaningful roles to young people in supportive environments so they can thrive and make real change.

Really enjoyed meeting so many wonderful young creative people and organisations, hearing about the initiatives that have been part of Bradford 2025, and the thought-provoking keynote from Ned Glasier.

Many actions to take away and build on both within the cultural industries and beyond as we try to build a future that is better connected and where young people are empowered to make the changes they want to see.

Applications Open for 2026 Community Residence at FUSEBOX

Posted on: February 13th, 2026 by cyEditor

What You Get

Selected residents will receive:

• A 12-month residency with free access to FUSEBOX for programme delivery (venue reopening and dates subject to availability).

• Support applying for £5,000 seed funding (no prior fundraising experience required).

• Tailored mentoring and training in fundraising, producing, community engagement, safeguarding, evaluation, and more.

• Access to Creative Youth’s local partner network and a dedicated mentor.

• Opportunities to deliver five events at FUSEBOX and beyond.

• Participation in FUSE International 2027.

• Discounts on Creative Youth tickets and at the BOX Bar & Café.

What You’ll Do

Your residency will focus on:

• Four community creative activities delivered across Kingston.

• A Final Showcase presented at FUSEBOX.

The programme runs in three phases: Development & Fundraising (May–Aug 2026), Activity Delivery (Aug–Dec 2026), and Final Showcase (Jan–Apr 2027).

How to Apply

Send the following by 5 pm on Friday 13 March 2026:

1) Organisation Summary – who you are and what you do (max 1 side A4)

2) Ideas Pitch – who you want to engage and what activity you’re proposing (max 2 sides A4)

You can also submit your pitch as a 3–5 min video or audio. Email applications to archie@creativeyouthcharity.org.

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on Wednesday 18 March 2026, followed by a public vote.

Applications are open, find out more by viewing our Application Pack.

FUSEBOX Flood Update

Posted on: January 29th, 2026 by cyEditor

During summer 2025, FUSEBOX experienced two significant flooding incidents caused by a blockage in the building above, which resulted in burst pipes and overflowing toilets.

Despite over seven months (Jan 26) of work with our venue partners to assess the damage and plan for recovery, the venue unfortunately remains closed to all activity.

While we had initially hoped to reopen in autumn 2025, and later January 2026, the situation is still unresolved.

As a result, all commercial hires are on hold, and our programmes for communities and young people have been postponed, cancelled, or relocated. The loss of FUSEBOX has taken away the beating heart of our organisation – the space where our team, emerging artists, vulnerable communities, and partners come together to connect, create, and share. Without it, the creative engine that fuels our work has been displaced, and the opportunities it provided have been put on pause.

The loss of FUSEBOX for over 7 months is a severe blow to our small charity. The venue generates 61% of Creative Youth’s total income, had been rapidly building momentum since its 2023 launch, and was set to host over 100 creative, educational, and community activities during this period — from mindful art sessions for young people struggling with mental health, to local schools exploring heritage, to residencies for emerging artists, to a vibrant performing arts programme spotlighting underrepresented performers.

This continues to be a challenging time for our organisation, as FUSEBOX sits at the heart of our work supporting young people to access the arts, build confidence, and find community in Kingston. We remain fully committed to that mission and very much look forward to reopening in 2026.

How you can support us

Without urgent support, there is a real risk that FUSEBOX, along with all it brings to our community, will be lost.

If you’re able to support our reopening, please come along to our annual Gala Dinner fundraiser on 22 April 2026. Tickets are now on sale and every ticket makes such a difference to the charity.

Reflecting on 2025

Posted on: December 17th, 2025 by cyEditor

We began the year with a fantastic range of creative programmes, welcoming young people and the local community into our space to experience new artistic opportunities. FUSEBOX continued to grow, hosting new and returning clients for events and creative projects. Thank you to everyone who supported and used FUSEBOX from January to June – your engagement reflects the growing strength of our community, even against the challenging backdrop for the arts and charity sectors.

FUSEBOX Highlights

Our Spring programme brought FUSEBOX to life with events such as Bad Clowns & Good Friends, an evening with Thames Jazz Orchestra, and Kingston Undercurrents. Our Creative Talent Programme artists showcased their work through Oscar Rodrigues’ performance and Joshua Hester’s Well Books exhibition. We also partnered with Kingston First for the Kingston Light Trail, welcoming many local families.

Our exhibition programme flourished with Underworld, Moonlight, and Kingston Young Artist, providing platforms for emerging visual artists – several of whom went on to secure solo exhibitions. Our Young Creatives played a vital role in shaping these exhibitions, contributing at every stage of the process.

Major Flooding at FUSEBOX

As many of you are aware, this summer, FUSEBOX was hit by two severe soil-water floods -one in June, just before FUSE International, and another in July. The damage was significant, forcing us to close the venue and pause activities for over six months. We’ve been working closely with partners to plan the reopening and are hopeful to welcome you back in early 2026.

FUSE International 2025

From 28 June to 6 July, Kingston once again became a vibrant hub for global youth culture. Despite reduced staff and budgets, FUSE International delivered an ambitious programme of theatre, dance, music, and cabaret, featuring artists from the UK, South Korea, Romania, Sweden, Germany, and beyond.

Highlights included The Kpop Hop – a dynamic cross-cultural street dance collaboration between Siheung City Youth Foundation, Vital Signz Dance, and Kingston College – and the World Peace Concert, performed by Seocho Philharmonia and international artists under the direction of Jong Hoon Bae. Both events drew packed audiences and glowing feedback.

Other 2025 Highlights

Mindful Art Sessions & Exhibition

Starting the year with a successful Mindful Arts exhibition in FUSEBOX, we’ve continued to have well-attended weekly Mindful Art Sessions throughout the year.

KIFF Community in Residence – FilmBox

We announced Kingston International Film Festival (KIFF) as our chosen Community in Residence organisation for 2025. We’ve been delighted to work with KIFF throughout the year to deliver FilmBox and our Markets: Ghosts, Manifestations & Visions project.
FilmBox, launched in May 2024, is a free monthly club fosters film discussions and networking, with varied sessions on Wednesday evenings for young and emerging filmmakers aged 16+.

The Marketplace of Ideas

We transformed Kingston’s Ancient Market House into a space for exchanging ideas, creativity, and stories through exhibitions and live art-making. The Marketplace of Ideas reimagined the traditional market as a space for exchange — not of goods, but of ideas, stories, and creativity. Through exhibitions, live art-making, and collaborative installations, the event explored how art can bridge Kingston’s rich heritage with its imaginative future.

Dillon Dance – Our First Associate Company

We announced our first associate company, our long-standing collaborators Dillon Dance this year. Led by Shaun Dillon, Dillon Dance represented us at Siheung Youth Festival in South Korea in October, fostering international collaboration and future partnership.

Looking ahead

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited about upcoming opportunities: artists can apply for our What Makes Us exhibitions until 6 Jan (Magyck, Matter, and Queer) and FUSE International 2026 until 11 Jan. While FUSEBOX remains closed for now, we’re optimistic about reopening early next year.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us through this challenging yet inspiring year. Here’s to a creative and connected 2026!

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