Creative Employability Pathways Co-Design Forum

Dear Young People, Partners, Artists, and Community Leaders,

We are inviting you to take part in a Co-Design Forum for Face Festival 2026 Pathways, taking place on 25th April 2026 - 1-5pm. 

This is not just an event. It is a working space for collaboration where young people, artists, educators, and organisations come together to shape the future of our creative employability pathways and the Face Festival programme.

Face Festival, established in 2017, is a youth and Global Majority led, Greater Manchester-wide international festival for creatives, cultural leaders, and social entrepreneurs. With year-round learning culminating in a ten-day festival, it offers seven non-traditional pathways into creative industry careers and leadership, platforming work across theatre, film, music, festival development, Model United Nations, Techwell, and RDE Hub teacher training.

This event aims to bring together creative organisations and youth development champions from Greater Manchester and beyond, giving young people and families a clearer understanding of how to navigate careers in the arts and wider creative industries.

At Elevate Young Minds, we believe that the most impactful opportunities are built with communities, not just for them. This forum creates space to co-design creative employability pathways that respond to real needs, shape the structure and content of Face Festival 2026, share lived experiences from artists, freelancers, and past participants, and build connections between young people, industry, and support organisations. Together, we will explore how creative careers can be more accessible, sustainable, and inclusive.

Participants will contribute ideas and insight into Creative Employability Pathways, helping shape over seventy opportunities across dance teacher training, hip hop theatre, freelance creative development, music, film, fashion, festival production, and Model United Nations and youth leadership.

Participants will also contribute to shaping the Face Festival 2026 Programme, including the Opening Ceremony in Rochdale, Rotation Dance Exchange, Hip Hop Theatre at Contact Theatre, schools and community programmes, the teacher training model, and the awards ceremony.

Arrival, dinner, and informal networking. A relaxed space to connect and begin conversations.

Opening and context setting with welcome from hosts and an introduction to the vision and purpose of co-design.

Our Journey So Far. A reflection on learning and impact since 2015.

Keynote 1. Sector insight framing the challenges and opportunities in the arts and creative industries.

Panel discussion on real pathways into practice, with artists and practitioners sharing lived experiences and opening discussion on barriers, entry points, and sustainability.

Interactive discussions and audience contribution where participants share experiences of creative careers and employability, identify gaps in current provision, and contribute ideas to improve pathways and access.

Spotlight on the teacher training pathway, gathering live feedback and input on programme design, and exploring how training, shadowing, and paid delivery can be strengthened.

Keynote 2. A creative perspective exploring how artistic disciplines shape society and communicate complex ideas.

Creative intervention with a live dance performance.

Open floor and networking. A space for questions, reflections, and connection building.

5pm Event finishes.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Elevate Young Minds