UP Projects, and their Enfield of Dreams partners are excited to be launching an open call for Enfield-based young people who are interested in or working in the arts.
The Young Cultural Leaders programme is a two-year leadership journey for 17 emerging creatives who want to shape the future of culture in Enfield.
Designed to support the next generation of cultural leaders, the two-year skills and development programme offers hands-on experience, expert-led training and access to influential networks. Participants will gain the confidence, skills and real-world insight needed to progress their careers in the arts and creative industries whilst making a meaningful impact in their local area.
The programme is aimed at Enfield-based young people aged 18-30 who have an interest in or are currently working in the arts and creative industries. You might already be working in the sector, volunteering, freelancing or studying, or you may be looking for an opportunity to step into cultural work for the first time.
Across 2026 and 2027, participants will take part in ten inspiring leadership workshops delivered by cultural organisations, creative freelancers and leadership specialists. These sessions are designed to be practical, engaging and directly relevant to working in the creative sector.
Young Cultural Leaders will develop skills in:
- Curation
- Project management
- Budgeting and finance
- Fundraising and income generation
- Marketing and audience development
- Leadership and public speaking
- Governance
By learning directly from experienced professionals and respected organisations, participants will gain transferable skills that support long-term career development.
UP Projects are pleased to be partnering with Clore Leadership to offer training in authentic leadership exploration and national networking as part of the programme.
The programme goes beyond training, offering one to one mentoring as well as opportunities to apply learning in real-life contexts:
- Twelve Young Cultural Leaders will be invited to take part in the Creative Clusters Projects, collaborating with established organisations and practitioners in Enfield.
- Five Young Cultural Leaders will also contribute to the delivery of the Creative Learning Programme, gaining hands-on experience in planning and delivering creative activity.
Open Call
This opportunity is aimed at young people aged 18-30 who have an interest in or are currently working in the arts and creative industries, and is open to all young people who live or work in the borough of Enfield.
You can download the Open Call document for further information on the opportunity here:
How to apply
Please send a current CV and your expression of interest that clearly outlines the following:
- How you meet the selection criteria listed above
- Why you are interested in becoming a Young Cultural Leader and why you would be an ideal candidate
- Why this programme would be beneficial to your practice or future career
- Highlighting whether you would be most interested in taking part in the Creative Cluster Projects or Creative Learning Programme and why you think this would be relevant to your practice or future career. (You are welcome to express your interest in both strands, but please note that we will have to fairly distribute the roles if one strand is oversubscribed.)
Please refer to the Open Call document for information about the opportunity. Once ready please send the following to workwith@upprojects.com by midnight, 8 February 2026:
- Your expression of interest
- Your up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Your completed Self Declaration Form
How to apply
Please send a current CV and your expression of interest that clearly outlines the following:
- Your professional experience and why you are interested in delivering a skills and development workshop for the Young Cultural Leaders
- What relevant skills, knowledge and expertise you could bring to the workshop
- An outline of how you would approach the workshop, its structure, and any associated learnings
Please refer to the Open Call document for information about the opportunity. Once ready please send the following to workwith@upprojects.com by midnight, 8 February 2026:
- Your up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Your expression of interest
- Your completed Self Declaration Form