Transformative Futures - Camden Art Centre

Type

Format

Date 26 Oct 2024/28 Jun 2025

Price Free

A free weekly collective for young people to discuss, explore and create art together.

Transformative Futures is a series of free artist-led workshops for people aged 15-25 that offers an opportunity to learn new skills and approaches to art-making.

Each session is led by contemporary artists offering participants the opportunity to try processes and techniques being explored by artists today including drawing, performance, sculpture. Based primarily in our Drawing Studio space we aim to create a supportive inclusive environment where participants can develop new skills, learn about the art world and collaborate with artists and their peers.

The programme is for those with an interest in art, no other knowledge, practical skills or training is required to participate with sessions designed to be inclusive and accessible and is developed in line with feedback from those taking part. We are particularly interested in working with young people not currently in university education and based in the boroughs of Camden, Brent, Barnet and Harrow.

This year the programme of workshops will run on Saturday afternoons from October until Summer 2024 when participants are invited to design and produce a weekend takeover exhibition at Camden Art Centre sharing ideas, concepts and work produced through the year. Alongside the workshops additional opportunities such as residencies, open studios and development sessions are available through the year.

Specific details on sessions will be shared with sign ups ahead of each workshop.

The Artists

“It's been such an amazing experience. I really enjoyed having a place to develop my art practice, it's not something I always had… I have learned to experiment and try new things without the pressure of the outcome, and let go of perfectionism. I'm taking great value from these sessions.” Youth Collective Participant

The Artists

Nqatyiswa Mendu
“I am an emerging artist with a social practice rooted in collaborative making. With a passion for interdisciplinary ways of working, I value cross-field collaboration and creating participatory experiences that interact with and challenge both audiences and myself. My mediums span across research, archive explorations and enquiry into social issues. I am motivated by meaningful exchanges through art and the importance of conversation and dialogue as tools for social change.

Throughout my practice, themes of intersectionality, history and the natural environment are recurring explorations. This has previously taken the form of guided workshops incorporating theatre methods such as walking, body sculpting, visualization exercises as well as one-to-one conversation. I am passionate about the importance of creative methodologies and the role of art in effecting wider change. I also have an interest in performance for the role it can play in the disruption of public spaces and oppressive systems that often try to contain expression and voice.”