Author Archive

The Marketplace of Ideas: A Week of Art, Exchange and Imagination

Posted on: October 24th, 2025 by cyEditor

From Tuesday 28 October to Saturday 1 November 2025, Kingston’s historic Ancient Market House transforms into The Marketplace of Ideas — a week-long celebration of creativity, culture, and connection, produced by Creative Youth as part of the Kingston 2025 programme.

Bringing together artists, audiences, and the local community, The Marketplace of Ideas reimagines 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 explores how art can bridge Kingston’s rich heritage with its imaginative future.

Marketplace: Traces, Manifestations & Visions Exhibition

The week opens with Marketplace: Traces, Manifestations & Visions, an exhibition showcasing the work of emerging artists aged 16–30.

Each piece responds to the themes of traces, manifestations, and visions — exploring how marketplaces hold memories of the past, reflect the present, and imagine futures still to come.

Hosted in Kingston’s Ancient Market House, the exhibition features a diverse range of visual artworks, from painting and sculpture to digital media and installation. Together, they create a vibrant dialogue between time, place, and identity — reflecting the global and local significance of marketplaces as spaces of gathering and exchange.

The Marketplace of Ideas – Saturday 1 November

The week culminates in a one-day interactive event, The Marketplace of Ideas, where visitors are invited to take part in a playful reimagining of trade and creativity.

Each visitor will receive a “ticket” featuring a theme inspired by Kingston’s market heritage, which they can exchange with one of eight young artists for a small, original artwork created on the spot. These mini works can then be swapped, traded, or added to a communal Memory Board, forming a living installation shaped by the creativity of everyone involved.

This free event celebrates collaboration over commerce, inviting audiences to experience creativity as a shared act of imagination and community building.

Creativity, Resilience and Recovery

The Marketplace of Ideas marks a moment of resilience and renewal for Creative Youth. Following two severe floods that temporarily closed FUSEBOX, our flagship venue, we’ve continued to deliver artistic programmes in new spaces across Kingston.

This event keeps the spirit of FUSEBOX alive — offering a platform for young artists and reaffirming our mission to create futures through the arts. We look forward to welcoming audiences back to FUSEBOX in 2026, as we rebuild and restore our home for creativity.

Event Details

📍 Location: Kingston’s Ancient Market House, Market Place, KT1 1JS

📅 Dates: Tuesday 28 October – Saturday 1 November 2025

🕒 Exhibition Hours: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

🎨 Live Marketplace Event: Saturday 1 November, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

About Kingston 2025

The Marketplace of Ideas forms part of Kingston 2025: A Year of Celebrating Culture, a borough-wide programme marking the 1100th anniversary of King Athelstan’s crowning. Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Kingston 2025 connects heritage, creativity, and community through events across the borough.

Join Us

Come explore, exchange, and imagine in the heart of Kingston’s marketplace.

Find out more and support FUSEBOX’s recovery at creativeyouthcharity.org/fusebox.

📸 Follow us: @creativeyouthuk | @fuseboxkingston

Dillon Dance joins Creative Youth as first Associate Company

Posted on: October 8th, 2025 by cyEditor

Our inaugural Associate Company is the phenomenal Dillon Dance, a youth dance company led by the visionary Shaun Dillon. We’ve had the pleasure of working with Shaun and his talented dancers for several years, and it’s a joy to formalise this relationship through this platform. 

This recognition honours the deep and ongoing collaboration between Dillon Dance and Creative Youth, particularly through their long-standing involvement with FUSE International (formerly the International Youth Arts Festival). 

Last year, Dillon Dance captivated audiences with an immersive performance at FUSEBOX, transforming the unique basement space – nestled amongst Kingston Bridge’s ruins and a medieval undercroft – into a dynamic stage for movement and storytelling. 

This summer, Dillon Dance also took part in an exciting international collaboration with our new partners, Siheung City Youth Foundation (South Korea). During FUSE International 2025, the two organisations hosted a vibrant cross-cultural dance workshop, connecting through shared creativity and diverse styles. 

We’re thrilled to share that Shaun Dillon will be attending Siyeung Youth Festival on 18 October 2025 as our Associate Company. Shaun will experience the dance festival, meet and collaborate with local dance companies and learn more about the work of the Siheung City Youth Foundation.

This marks an exciting new chapter for Dillon Dance and Creative Youth – we can’t wait to see what unfolds next.

 

An Update on FUSEBOX: Recovery and Looking Ahead

Posted on: September 10th, 2025 by cyEditor

The impact has been devastating. These incidents, which originated in the building above FUSEBOX, have forced us to close the venue and pause all planned activities for the past three months. FUSEBOX is more than a venue—it is a home for creativity, a platform for emerging talent, and a safe, inclusive space where young people can express themselves, collaborate, and thrive. 

We had hoped to reopen this Autumn. Over the summer, our team has been working closely with key partners to assess when we could welcome the community back. Sadly, due to complex insurance matters, procedural delays, and the scale of repairs needed — all of which have been entirely outside of our control — reopening this year is not possible.

AT PRESENT, WE DO NOT EXPECT FUSEBOX TO REOPEN UNTIL EARLY 2026. 

Keeping Creativity Alive 

Even with the venue closed, our work continues. Thanks to the support of local partners, we are relocating parts of our programmes to keep delivering meaningful opportunities for young artists and our community. 

For the latest updates on where and how these events are taking place, please visit our What’s On or Get Involved pages, or follow us on social media. We promise to keep you posted about everything we have coming up, and we can’t wait to see you there.  

Help Us Recover 

The floods have been a huge blow to our charity. FUSEBOX represents years of dedication, passion, and a belief in the transformative power of creativity. Beyond this, these events have created significant financial challenges. FUSEBOX is not just a home for creativity—it is also a vital source of income for Creative Youth, which is now lost. 

If you are able, we would be deeply grateful for your support. Your contribution will help FUSEBOX recover and enable Creative Youth to sustain our programmes while the space remains closed. Every donation—big or small—makes a real difference in helping us continue our mission to inspire, empower, and showcase the next generation of creative talent. 

Click here to donate and support Creative Youth.

With Gratitude 

Thank you for standing with us during this challenging time. We are deeply grateful to our community, partners, funders, and the incredible young people who make Creative Youth what it is. To everyone who has offered help recovering FUSEBOX, provided alternative spaces, rescheduled activities, or shared kind words of support—we couldn’t do this without you. 

We’ll keep you updated every step of the way, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to FUSEBOX as soon as possible. 

With heartfelt thanks and hope for the future,
Archie O’Neill & Daniel Cartlidge
Co-Directors, Creative Youth 

FUSEBOX Flood developments

Posted on: July 16th, 2025 by cyEditor

As many of you will be aware, on 17 June FUSEBOX suffered a major flood due to a blockage in the building above, which caused our pipes to burst and toilets to overflow. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working closely with venue partners to understand the extent of the damage and plan the recovery. Unfortunately, a second incident occurred on 15 July, and the building was once again flooded with wastewater.

This bittersweet news comes off the back of a brilliant FUSE International with companies from around the world coming together to share their work.

Thank you for bearing with us as we work with partners to rise to these new challenges and identify next steps forwards. All events in the immediate future have been cancelled and hirers have been contacted. It has become clear that there’s a more serious issue with the surrounding drainage infrastructure, and we are anticipating a recovery timeline of several months rather than weeks.

We hope to reopen in Autumn 2025. If you’d like to contribute to our recovery, any donations are gratefully received at this difficult time and makes the world of difference to our team.

FUSE International 2025 Highlights

Posted on: July 7th, 2025 by cyEditor

Thank you to everyone who was part of FUSE 2025!

From the performers and chaperones, to the audiences, technicians and volunteers, FUSE saw an inspiring range of shows and activities coming to Kingston across the 9-day festival this summer.

International highlights

We continued to foster significant international collaborations, with 2025 highlights including:

• The Kpop Hop: A high-energy cross-cultural street dance performance linking Siheung City Youth Foundation (South Korea), Vital Signz Dance and Kingston College. This event was preceded by the signing of a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with Siheung City Youth Foundation.

• Cross-cultural dance workshop: A day of exchange between UK dancers and visiting Korean artists, documented in a short film.
Watch the video celebrating the collaboration

• Future plans: Creative Youth has been invited to contribute to Siheung City Youth Day in October 2025, continuing to build international links.

• Returning international artists: Bucharest’s 2024 festival favourites returned with a bold neon-soaked 1980s reimagining of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Pre-flood FUSEBOX plans

FUSEBOX was due to act the heart of the festival – the home of fringe shows and a social space for artists, volunteers and audiences. Losing this hub was a key challenge for us, and is something will return to next year. Additionally, this reduced key earned income such as Bar Income; making our achievements in exceeding targets even more demonstrable.

Activity we planned to deliver during FUSE:

Audience feedback

“The festival was great. I really enjoyed the variety of different performances available and the vibrant atmosphere.”

“I love FUSE international. I love the idea of it, I love the execution and every year I think I must see more next year.”

“Overall it was a lovely experience, well organised, and a beautiful space to watch it”

Disaster strikes FUSEBOX just a week before FUSE International launch

Posted on: June 20th, 2025 by cyEditor

One of the UK’s leading festivals for emerging creative talent, FUSE International returns to Kingston this summer with a bold, international programme of performance, visual art and innovation — all created by artists aged 5–30.

Running 28 June – 6 July, the 2025 edition transforms Kingston into a vibrant hub of global youth culture, showcasing fresh, original work across theatre, dance, comedy, cabaret, music, visual arts and more. From groundbreaking new plays to daring choreography and genre-defying music, FUSE is a launchpad for the artists of tomorrow — with participants from across the UK, Korea, Sweden and beyond.

Presented by youth arts charity Creative Youth, FUSE International champions fearless storytelling, experimentation, and connection at a time when many young voices feel pushed to the margins.

“FUSE International is where the world’s next great artists take centre stage,” says Artistic Director Petra Jane Tauscher. “It’s a space for risk-taking, innovation and joy – a place where young voices are not only heard but celebrated. This festival is about more than just entertainment – it’s about nurturing innovation and creating space for global connection through the arts at a time when the world feels closed off to many young people.”

 

International Highlights

This year’s programme features several international collaborations, including:

FUSEBOX Flooding: A Sudden Blow Just Days Before Launch

In a devastating turn, Creative Youth’s venue FUSEBOX — the beating heart of the upcoming FUSE International festival— was flooded this week, just over a week before opening night. A blocked pipe above the space caused seals to burst and toilets to overflow, forcing event cancellations and putting vital fringe shows at risk.  While the core festival will go ahead at the Rose Theatre and ACT Theatre, the flooding has dealt a significant financial blow to the charity and disrupted months of planning.

“FUSEBOX has become a vital creative space for young people in Kingston and beyond. We urgently need community support to help us recover and keep these platforms alive,” says Archie O’Neill and Daniel Cartlidge, Co-Directors of Creative Youth.

The festival offers young people from around the world a safe platform to push creative boundaries and find their voice. The Kingston charity, which champions young people in the arts, is urgently calling for support — especially for its fringe shows.

FUSE International 2025 runs from 28 June – 6 July with performances and events taking place at the Rose Theatre and ACT Theatres in Kingston.

Tickets and the full programme are available here

KAOS Kingston Young Artist Competition

Posted on: June 11th, 2025 by cyEditor

Artists are invited to submit 2D or 3D creative work of any medium. An exhibition of shortlisted works in the Kingston Young Artists competition is shown at FUSEBOX during Kingston Open Studios in June each year.

2025 marks the second year of the KYA Competition and we hope to run it again in 2027.

Prize winners for 2025

Winner’s Prize:
Rhys Malpeli – Man made

Public Vote:
Veronika Wielach – Yarn Over

Highly Commended:
Wahid Dayan Mobinzai – Webwalk

Exhibiting artists in 2025

About KAOS
Founded in 2010 KAOS are a voluntary group of around 80 artists based in and around Kingston. In addition to Open Studios, they hold exhibitions throughout the year at venues in the UK and abroad. Their aim is to raise awareness of the visual arts in the community. Visit the KAOS website to find out more

 

What are the Open Studios?
Open Studios in Kingston is a collaborative public exhibition whereby local artists and makers open their own homes or studios to the public and exhibit their work.

The Open Studio venues are organised into art trails in and around Kingston, featuring a wide range of 2D and 3D work – painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, jewellery, ceramics, glass, photography, digital art, textiles, paper art and mixed media.

This is a perfect opportunity to meet local creators, see their work, talk to them about their techniques and inspirations and buy affordable art direct from the artist.

Magyk: Open Call Exhibition

Posted on: May 27th, 2025 by cyEditor

We are pleased to welcome you to our launch of Magyk exhibition on Thursday 26 June 2025.

Exhibition opening dates:

Wednesday 25 June – Sunday 6 June 2025

Opening hours: Wednesday – Friday, 11:00 – 18:00

Magyk Exhibition

Magic is everywhere. We want to know where you find the magic in your life and how you explore it in your art. Artist’s have the opportunity to present their art and express their imaginations through magic in art. From beauty in the world around us, to fantasy, illusion, and the extraordinary – magic is an interaction with the unknown.

You are invited to come and reflect on what magic means to you and how it comes alive in your creative practice.

We’re also delighted to announce that one exhibiting artist will be awarded a bursary of £1000 to complete a 6 week residency in FUSEBOX, concluding in a Solo Exhibition.

Thank you to Arts Council England for making this amazing Open Call possible and for offer the opportunity of another Solo exhibition at FUSEBOX!

Apply and Find Out More Here!

Moonlight Exhibition Launch and Kingston Undercurrents

Posted on: April 15th, 2025 by cyEditor

Moonlight invites Black visual artists across all disciplines to explore the delicate and multifaceted journey of vulnerability, emotion and identity when freed from the weight of social expectation. How can emotion be captured not only as an act of resistance, but also as a pure state of being? Can we explore ourselves outside of the perception of others and what does this look like?

Find out about the exhibiting artists in our Exhibition Guide.

Moonlight is free to view until Saturday 19 April (Opening hours Wednesday – Saturday, 11:00-18:00).

The exhibition was launched alongside Kingston Undercurrents, our regular music nights hosted in collaboration with Paper Garden Records. A high-energy showcase of the freshest, boldest talent shaping Kingston’s scene. From first-time performers finding their feet to uni students honing their craft, from emerging voices carving out their sound to established artists making waves—every act is connected to this town.

Find out more about Kingston Undercurrents here. 

Community Residence Programme 2025: KIFF

Posted on: March 27th, 2025 by cyEditor

Having identified a need for affordable spaces for creatives to come together and work with communities, we launched this programme in FUSEBOX last year (with past residents, WOM Collective) and have since hosted a series of events, exhibitions and workshops for local communities.

The Community in Residence programme offers community partner access to FUSEBOX (subject to availability), support for funding applications, and a collaborative approach to engaging young people (ages 5-30) in our Borough. We are now delighted to be working with KIFF on the following programme:

FilmBox

FilmBox, which was launched last May, will continue as a core activity, building on our pilot workshops and screenings. This free monthly club fosters film discussions and networking, with varied sessions on Wednesday evenings for young and emerging filmmakers aged 16+.

Learn more about our upcoming FilmBox events here. 

Festival Partnerships June-July 2025

Our joint vision is to promote Kingston as a ‘Festival Town’. KIFF brings independent filmmakers, industry professionals and students together with the local community for film opportunities throughout the year, culminating in three days of screenings, workshops, and events at venues across Kingston in June. FUSE International is a ten-day international celebration of live performance and creativity. Our programme is packed with inspiring, funny and thought-provoking shows that bring us together through live performance. Both are “Festivals for Everyone”.

Find out more about FUSE International here.

Find out more about Kingston International Film Festival here. 

Markets: “Ghosts, Manifestations & Visions’ Project Exhibition

Alongside Creative Youth, KIFF will co-curate a two-week exhibition which will take place in September at FUSEBOX exploring Kingston’s Ancient Marketplace through film, visual art, and heritage. This exhibition should touch upon the three key themes of Creative Youth’s wider ‘Markets’ project; by uncovering the past (ghosts), examining the present (manifestations), and questioning the future (visions) of Kingston’s Ancient Marketplace.

Young Creative Representative

Creative Youth’s initiatives are steered by their Young Creatives board, comprising individuals aged 16- 30 who represent a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences and artistic interests. For the 2025-2026 cohort, KIFF have nominated Joe Coombs Berry to be their representative and join this board, ensuring collaborative efforts are youth-led and inclusive.

Find Out More about our Young Creatives Panel here.

 

Partnering with Children’s International Film Festival (CIFF) 2025

We are also pleased to announce that Creative Youth, will be the official charity Partner of the Children’s International Film Festival (CIFF) 2025. A champion of both the arts and young people, Creative Youth will provide some exciting workshops for school children coming to the Film Festival, centred around creativity in the pre-production process.

Find Out More about CIFF here.

Meet our Young Creatives Cohort 2025!

Posted on: February 17th, 2025 by cyEditor

Young Creatives is a panel of emerging talent, from 16–30 years old, who generate new ideas and plans for the charity.

Creative Youth is run by young people, for young people. They come from a diverse range of backgrounds and disciplines and the panel is open to everyone, at any stage of their career. They are committed to driving positive change. We couldn’t wish for a better set of ambassadors.

To find out more about each one of our members and to see the exciting work they are currently up to please visit here.

January 2025 Exhibitions at FUSEBOX 

Posted on: January 30th, 2025 by cyEditor

Violaciones – Oscar Rodriguez

Oscar Rodriguez (he/they), one of our current Creative Talent Programme Artist, invites audiences to rediscover failure as a catalyst for profound hope. Rooted in their Salvadoran heritage and inspired by the revolutionary legacies of their ancestors, Oscar collaborated with friends, activists, and fellow poets to craft a short film and an evocative soundscape album. Together, they explored liberation in its many forms, challenging conventional narratives and honouring the struggles of oppressed, Queer, and working-class communities.

Beyond the screen and speakers, Oscar’s exhibition created an immersive experience through poetry, multi-medium artwork, and creative installations. This powerful collection provided a space for connection, reflection, and dialogue, offering a moment of healing and solidarity for all who attended.

soft space, still moment: Mindful Art Sessions

Alongside Oscar’s exhibition, we also hosted soft space, still moment, a tranquil and reflective installation space created by the young people who attend our Weekly Mindful Art Sessions. This exhibition invited visitors to step into a calm zone designed to encourage sensory awareness and inner peace.

Through art, attendees explored mindfulness and self-expression, fostering an environment of stillness and contemplation. If you are aged between 12-25 and would like to be part of our Weekly Mindful Art Sessions, find out more here.

Both exhibitions have been a testament to the power of creativity in fostering community, dialogue, and personal growth. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported these projects—we look forward to continuing to provide platforms for emerging artists and meaningful conversations through art.