New for 2025 we introduce Creative Futures, which offers opportunities for young people to produce and share their own personal creative projects, focussing on all art forms such as poetry, scriptwriting, film making, stand-up comedy and dance. This is all supported by The Dukes staff and industry professionals that will deliver relevant masterclasses through the year.
This project has been made possible and free of charge to local young people through the generous support from Banks Lyon Memorial Trust who have given £4995 to cover the delivery of Creative Futures for the next 3 academic years from September 2025. Members will receive a bursary, benefits such as invitation to in-house events, free access The Dukes’ inspiring programme of theatre and cinema (subject to availability) and sometimes even pizza!
Our 2025-26 members are:
Ailsa Madill, who will be working on a cinema club project for young people to watch and unpick films together.
James Samuel, who will be working on a film making project leading to an exhibition of creative work.
James Shields (Creative Communities Coordinator) says: The aim of the Youth Board Creative Futures project is to offer local young people invaluable on the ground experience in the arts sector at the heart of Lancashire's only producing theatre. We'd like to thank the Banks Lyon Memorial Trust for the support which will allow us to help the young people participating develop the integral skills needed for future employment in the creative industries and give them the space, time and belief to become artists in their own right".
Applications for 2025-26 are now closed but make sure to apply for the next round of Creative Futures in September 2026.
