Building on the work of our in-house Youth Board, Creative Futures returns for a second year. Across 2026/27 we will be supporting another two young people with the time, space, and funds to pursue a creative project of their choosing.
Introduced in 2025, Creative Futures 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 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 were:
Ailsa Madill, who created the Screen Dreams Film Club for 16-25 year olds. Screen Dreams explores unusual, dreamlike cinema that pushes the boundaries of storytelling, style and content. The films selected explored themes of feminist rebellion, regional identity, and othering and prejudice. Each session across June to August 2026 included a screening, discussion and creative activity, contributing to a collaborative film zine of visual and written responses to the Screen Dream programme.
James Samuel, who created a new documentary and exhibition at The Dukes to mark Refugee Week through film, art, courage and community. A new short documentary made between Lancaster and Blackburn premiered at The Dukes on Friday 19 June as part of Refugee Week, alongside a co-curated exhibition bringing together artwork, voices and stories from people connected to ARC Blackburn and RAIS Lancaster.
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 26/27 are now open!
Deadline for applications is 05/10/26
Interviews will take place w/c 12/10/26
