Young people from across Hull will take centre stage this half term as the Creative Voice Festival returns with two afternoons packed with creativity, performance and hands on activities.
Taking place at Princes Quay on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October, the free festival celebrates the imaginative work happening in youth centres, arts organisations and community projects across the city. Visitors will have the chance to discover how young people are using creativity to tell stories, explore identity and develop new skills.
Running from 12.30pm to 4.30pm each day, the event will feature a programme of workshops, exhibitions, performances, discussions and food, offering something for young people, families and anyone interested in Hull's creative future.
Visitors can get involved in a range of drop-in activities spanning film, music and visual arts. From learning the basics of filmmaking with Fly Girl Films and trying DJ skills with DJ Methodz and a team of young mentors, to exploring spoken word and rap with Out of the Box commissioned artist Mahmud Ibrahim, there will be plenty of opportunities to try something new.
The festival will also showcase cultural activities led by The Peel Project, including henna hand painting, calligraphy and opportunities to learn more about traditional sari and hijab styling.
Meanwhile, Back to Ours will be inviting people to contribute to a large collaborative artwork that will form part of next year's Our City event. Participants can help decorate an umbrella and add drawings, messages, colours or memories inspired by Hull's communities, landmarks, heritage and hopes for the future.
On Thursday 29 October at 3.30pm, a special panel discussion will bring together people working across the city's creative sector to share their experiences and career journeys. Representatives from organisations including the NHS, The Warren, Beats Bus, Middle Child Theatre and Generation Hull's creative apprenticeship programme will discuss the opportunities available within Hull's arts and cultural industries.
Alongside the activities, a series of exhibitions will highlight work created by young people through projects including The Peel Project, Generation Hull and Riot Recovery Project. One exhibition, Common Ground, explores shared experiences, memories and family stories, celebrating the connections that bring communities together.
The festival's performance programme will feature music, dance and theatre from young people involved with Freedom Road Creative Arts, Just Drama and Ainthorpe Youth Centre. Audiences can also catch the latest performance from Just Drama, returning to the festival for a third consecutive year with a comedy production on Friday 30 October at 4pm.
As part of Corporate Parenting Week, young people from Young Voices Influencing Care (YVIC) have also been working with artists Square Peg to create work exploring the theme of Trust. Their exhibition will be on display at Ferens Art Gallery from 28 October to 4 November.
The Creative Voice Festival is free to attend, with no booking required. The venue is step free, wheelchair accessible and includes accessible toilet facilities. A quiet space will also be available, and BSL interpretation will be provided for the Working in the Arts in Hull panel discussion.