To say 2025 has been a rollercoaster year would be an understatement.
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!