![Photo Credit: Sarah Brownlow](https://ca1-lgh.edcdn.com/_max/For-Website-All-FCL.jpg)
Get to know our six 2024 Future Creative Leaders (FCL)
HOW DO YOU HOPE TO INSPIRE OTHER YOUNG CREATIVES IN THE AREA? HOW DO YOU DO THIS IN YOUR WORK?
I think that diverse skills and thinking is important and constant learning is an essential focus for young creatives. I do this in my own research, by trying new things where I can and working with others in different practices, where collaboration and inspiration develops my own creative journey and thinking. I hope that I can inspire other young creatives in the area to also focus on creative change and growth.
HOW WILL THE NEW LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT SPACE SUPPORT YOUR CREATIVE AMBITIONS AND DREAMS?
The new Lighthouse Project Space has already been great in making me question and realise where my creative interests lie. Seeing the journey and process of restoring the building and the possibilities of how a space can change to facilitate different creative avenues is hugely inspiring and exciting! I hope the space will continue to allow me to grow by meeting new people and explore further how spaces can adapt and change to fit different needs in unique ways.
WHAT DOES ‘POSITIVE DISRUPTION’ MEAN TO YOU AND HOW DO YOU EXPLORE THIS THEME THROUGH YOUR WORK?
To me ‘Positive Disruption’ means challenging exclusionary norms and fostering inclusivity for those who aren’t being seen. My work focuses on discovering how spaces can form change to enhance access. I explore how environments can promote inclusion and serve as tools for disruption, questioning how spatial design can influence feelings of belonging and participation.
HOW DO YOU HOPE TO INSPIRE OTHER YOUNG CREATIVES IN THE AREA? HOW DO YOU DO THIS IN YOUR WORK?
I hope that other young creatives in my area can see me as somebody who has come from similar situations as them. Especially from certain struggles that they come from and have been able to turn a negative into a positive. I grew up in this city and a lot of people know my face, so when they see me and know where I've come from, and being able to turn something around, it's just a matter of you doing the same now and believing in yourself. Knowing that if Dred is able to do it then so can I. Paying it forward and by being available to help others is important to me too - Each one teach one. I think I do this in my work by continuing to open doors for myself and not shying away from the challenge. There's a lot of things in the past that I may have been scared or afraid to try. A fear of failing, or being rejected, or turned away. So through my work and pushing myself and making it visible to others that I push myself in certain areas. That's how I do this in my work
WHAT DOES ‘POSITIVE DISRUPTION’ MEAN TO YOU AND HOW DO YOU EXPLORE THIS THEME THROUGH YOUR WORK?
Positive disruption to me is when it's time for releasing or performing. These are the times when the viewers and supporters give you the most positive feedback.Your output is being received well, but it can also be disruptive. I'd say that to me is positive disruption, it feels good. But also keeping grounded when things are good and keeping grounded when things are not so good as well. There's always gonna be noise throughout the journey but you can't let it get to your head.
HOW DO YOU HOPE TO INSPIRE OTHER YOUNG CREATIVES IN THE AREA? HOW DO YOU DO THIS IN YOUR WORK?
I hope to inspire others by trying to be as authentic as I can be. I am always inspired by authenticity and people who stay committed to who they are and the things they are driven by and believe in. There are lots of influences that can impact how you think about things which on the one hand is great but I think being able to think and create in a way that's not solely driven by these external factors is really important.
HOW WILL THE NEW LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT SPACE SUPPORT YOUR CREATIVE AMBITIONS AND DREAMS?
I currently work in academia, and I would like to expand and develop the types of projects I’m involved in. I want to be as transdisciplinary as I can be in my academic work and think about how education (my area of research and interest) intersects with the arts, media, and technology. The Lighthouse project space will allow me to start reimagining and redefining education, considering new ways to share, learn and co-construct new knowledge.
WHAT DOES ‘POSITIVE DISRUPTION’ MEAN TO YOU AND HOW DO YOU EXPLORE THIS THEME THROUGH YOUR WORK?
I am into counter-hegemonic thinking in my work and writing and am always attempting to challenge normative ways of thinking, being, and doing. For me, disruption of any form is interesting to consider and I think the idea of positive disruption is one that focuses on positive outcomes alone. I think I would like to challenge and problematise ‘positive disruption’ as it makes me think positive for who? Resistance and disruption might not always be perceived as positive depending on who is doing it and to what aim, and that’s okay.
HOW DO YOU HOPE TO INSPIRE OTHER YOUNG CREATIVES IN THE AREA? HOW DO YOU DO THIS IN YOUR WORK?
I hope to inspire others by being transparent, with both my processes and the intention behind my work. I hope to give a deeper insight into the problems that spark interest and inspiration within young people who are creative or have a passion towards the current social and political climate.
WHAT DOES ‘POSITIVE DISRUPTION’ MEAN TO YOU AND HOW DO YOU EXPLORE THIS THEME THROUGH YOUR WORK?
Positive Disruption, to me, means disrupting the current systems that control and negatively impact us. By continuing to create and sustain our craft we are actively and positively disrupting the status quo. By staying in tune with the global, social and political climate we are able to act against the imbalances.
HOW DO YOU HOPE TO INSPIRE OTHER YOUNG CREATIVES IN THE AREA? HOW DO YOU DO THIS IN YOUR WORK?
Honestly, I think through consistency and increasing the quality of my output over time. That's one thing that I aspire to do. When others inspire me it's largely down to them just staying active all the time. For me it's not necessarily about quality, it's just the fact that they're always showing up and for me that is really inspiring, so that's the way in which I hope to inspire other people. Just by staying consistent, staying on it and not taking no for an answer, you know, just installing some faith and belief that it can be done.
WHAT DOES ‘POSITIVE DISRUPTION’ MEAN TO YOU AND HOW DO YOU EXPLORE THIS THEME THROUGH YOUR WORK?
Positive disruption means shaking shit up, but in an amicable manner. Sometimes, disruption can be seen as a negative thing or a bit explosive and it can actually end up turning people off. Not only those we're disrupting but also those people that are engaging with it on the wider culture. Sometimes they can be a bit turned off by it. I think positive disruption is I think doing it in a peaceful way and rather than tearing stuff down It's making way for new. You're planting new seeds. Something where there's not too big of a blast radius. You feel me?
HOW DO YOU HOPE TO INSPIRE OTHER YOUNG CREATIVES IN THE AREA? HOW DO YOU DO THIS IN YOUR WORK?
Instead of inspiring others, I hope to help shape a shared space for young creatives to find their own inspiration through organic artistic experimentation and exploration, connecting and collaborating with other voices; either written, in-person, or spoken, both in and beyond my practice and the Lighthouse Project Space.
HOW WILL THE NEW LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT SPACE SUPPORT YOUR CREATIVE AMBITIONS AND DREAMS?
The Lighthouse Project Space will provide physical room for me to develop a writing practice that at present largely exists on the page, offering a new (and unusual) opportunity for me to accelerate my written thoughts and conceptual ideas into something more tangible, whilst allowing me to take up more space as a writer.
WHAT DOES ‘POSITIVE DISRUPTION’ MEAN TO YOU AND HOW DO YOU EXPLORE THIS THEME THROUGH YOUR WORK?
To me, “positive disruption” is about deconstructing structures and rebuilding systems that better reflect what the community wants and deserves. Through writing, I hope to lean into a form of creative advocacy, disrupting the sinister fluency of capitalism and oppression, and replacing it with a living and reactive form of artistic practice.
ABOUT FUTURE CREATIVE LEADERS
Future Creative Leaders (FCL) is a 12-month paid programme offering young creatives from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to work closely with Lighthouse's leadership team to explore various aspects of creative leadership. Funded and supported by Art Fund’s ‘Reimagine Grants’, over the year, participants will co-curate programmes, select participants for mini-residencies, and recruit their successors, all while exploring alternative governance structures, accountability, and power-sharing.
The programme partners the FCL members with Trustee Buddies, providing them with essential finance and governance training. This mentorship aims to integrate FCL more closely with Lighthouse's Board of Trustees, setting a precedent for similar organisations across the cultural sector to follow.
Throughout the year, participants will document their governance experience creatively, sharing their insights and learnings with the wider sector. The culmination of their efforts will be showcased during Brighton Festival 2025, offering a platform to highlight the impact and significance of the programme.
ABOUT ARTFUND
Art Fund is the national charity for art, helping museums and people to share in great art and culture for 120 years. Art Fund raises millions of pounds every year to help the UK’s museums, galleries and historic houses. The charity funds art, enabling the UK’s museums to buy and share exciting works, connect with their communities, and inspire the next generation. It builds audiences, with its National Art Pass opening doors to great culture. And it amplifies the museum sector through the world’s largest museum prize, Museum of the Year, and creative events that bring the UK’s museums together. Art Fund is people-powered by 135,000 members who buy a National Art Pass, and the donors, trusts and foundations who support the charity. The National Art Pass provides free or discounted entry to over 850 museums, galleries and historic places, 50% off major exhibitions, and Art Quarterly magazine.
ABOUT CHALK CLIFF TRUST
The Chalk Cliff Trust is a foundation set up to provide grants and donations to charities, action groups and benevolent organisations in East Sussex.
![FCL 2024 LOGOS IN JUNE](https://ca1-lgh.edcdn.com/2024-FCL-Logos-June.jpg)
Lighthouse Project Space at New England House
Lighthouse Project Space is Brighton’s first public youth-led art space. Based in New England House lower ground floor, with its own entrance on Elder Place off London Road, this brand new venue will provide young creatives with a dynamic, multipurpose space to produce, create, perform, showcase and collaborate on artistic projects.
Lighthouse Project Space, New England House, Elder Place, York Hill Corner, BN1 4GH ( map )