Why youth led matters
Blaze Arts is a youth‑led creative organisation based in Lancashire. We believe when young people lead, communities grow stronger, fairer and more imaginative. We see young people not just future leaders - but as creative citizens shaping culture right now.
Being youth‑led means co‑designing programmes, sharing decisions and creating spaces where young people feel safe, valued and are able to take creative risks. Their ideas shape everything we do - from the themes we explore to how work is shared with the public.
Through projects, events and creative opportunities, we work with young people of all ages with our main focus being to support 14-30 year olds to build skills, confidence and pathways into the arts. Youth‑led practice creates real progression, authentic culture and a sense of belonging that lasts.
Young people matter - their voices, stories and leadership deserve investment. At Blaze, they lead the way, and we follow with support that helps them thrive.
Our Principles
Youth‑Led at Every Level
Young people shape our decisions, our programmes and our culture. We centre their ideas, lived experience and leadership because meaningful change happens when young people lead.
We work hard to include young people at every level, from charity governance, to paid employment.
Creativity as a Tool for Change
We use art, design and digital media to explore identity, tell stories and strengthen communities.
We believe creativity can happen anywhere and actively seek, build and connect opportunities to young people build confidence, connection and a sense of possibility.
Equity, Access and Belonging
We actively seek to better understand and remove barriers so all young people can take part.
Our spaces are inclusive, accessible and designed to support disabled, queer and underrepresented young creatives to thrive.
Progression and Opportunities
We meet people where they're at and work with them to create pathways into leadership, training and creative careers.
Young people gain skills, networks and experiences that open doors, now and in the future.
When, Why and How we began?
Blaze began in 2012, when a group of 30 young people designed and delivered their own festival as part of the North West’s cultural legacy programme for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This landmark project demonstrated something powerful: when young people are trusted with responsibility and support they are empowered to deliver ambitious, high‑quality cultural work.
Following the success of the 2012 festival, the young producers secured further support from Lancashire County Council to programme a series of youth‑led festivals across the county. Their momentum, professionalism and ambition laid the foundations for Blaze’s long‑term development.
In 2016, Curious Minds began supporting Blaze to transition into an independent organisation. By 2018, Blaze became a registered charity and made UK history by embedding a requirement that 51% of trustees must be aged 30 or under at the time of appointment. This governance model ensures that youth leadership is not symbolic; it is structurally protected.
Over the past decade, Blaze has built a strong reputation for developing the next generation of creative producers. Alumni have progressed into roles across the cultural sector - including the BBC, museums, festivals and freelance creative practice- demonstrating the long‑term impact of our approach.
Blaze is recognised nationally for its commitment to youth‑led practice. Young people shape decisions at every level of the organisation, from programme design to governance, ensuring our work is relevant, responsive and rooted in lived experience. We actively share our learning with partners across Lancashire, supporting organisations to embed youth voice in meaningful and sustainable ways.
We have collaborated with a wide range of cultural and community partners, including The Harris, People’s History Museum, The Lowry, Lancashire Libraries, local councils, and a broad network of youth services, schools, colleges and community groups. These partnerships strengthen our impact and ensure young people’s creativity and leadership shape culture across the region.
Over a decade on from our inception, the needs of young people and the world around us has evolved significantly. The methodologies we have developed - co‑design, shared decision‑making and youth governance now extend beyond supporting young people into creative careers. By training young people to produce cultural activity, we are nurturing creative citizens in all aspects: individuals with the skills, agency and confidence to contribute to their communities, think critically, advocate for the things that matter to them, influence local culture and participate meaningfully in civic life.
Blaze exists because young people deserve platforms, investment and trust. Our history shows what happens when they receive it: they lead, they innovate and they transform the cultural landscape of Lancashire and beyond.