Discover Young Hackney

What's on

Apply to Discover Young Hackney, grants up to £4,000

Deadline of 11.59pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026, all application details available via the ‘Apple here’ link.

Apply here

Artist Commission: Key Visual for Discover Young Hackney 2026

Applications are open for a Hackney-based artist aged 18-26 to create the key visual for the 2026 Discover Young Hackney programme.

The selected artist will design the main artwork used to promote the programme across posters, digital platforms and social media.

Commission Fee: £1,000.
Deadline: 12pm, Friday 17 April 2026

Download the Commission Brief & Apply

Discover Young Hackney grant programme is back for 2026!

Grant applications are now open for Hackney’s flagship youth arts and culture programme. We’re inviting organisations based in or working in Hackney to apply for funding to deliver free or low-cost creative activities for young people aged 15-26 during the summer holidays.

Discover Young Hackney supports projects that help young people develop their creative skills, build confidence and gain experience, while exploring pathways into the creative and cultural industries.

See what we funded in 2025 below.

Who and what we supported in 2025/26

  • A young black man stands centre on a stage infront of a diverse group of young people who are seated behind him

    Arcola Academy 'Elevate'

    by Arcola Theatre
    July-August 2025

    An opportunity for young Hackney creatives aged 18–25 to develop and explore theatre and performance as a professional pathway.

  • A group of 5 diverse young people stand on a lit stage with a black background, they are in a circle with one arm raised into the centre of the circle in solidarity

    Hackney Shed Collective

    by Hackney Shed
    July-August 2025

    Hackney Shed Collective will bring together young people & professional artists resulting in a full scale performance.

  • A young woman singer stands to the right of the frame, with a microphone to their mouth in front, they stand in-front of a neon sign

    Summer's Live

    by Progress Sessions
    July-August 2025

    A free five day intensive artist development course for 12 young contemporary musicians in Hackney.

  • A diverse group of nine young people stand in a recording studio in front of a professional microphone, the look towards the camera smiling

    Rising Academy

    by Rising Tide
    July-August 2025

    A 12-day Summer Music Academy designed to empower young singers, rappers, and spoken word poets aged 16–25.

  • A teenage girl, in a white sweatshirt and grey head covering, stands over a workbench for crafting with an older man, who appears to be teaching her

    Summer School

    by STORE Schools
    July-August 2025

    A one week summer school for up to 20 Hackney state school students exploring and making glassware.

  • A diverse group of seven young people stand and sit on a wooden structure holding various wood working tools, they are smiling and looking at the camera

    Workshops 2025

    by Woodshop of Recycled Delights
    July-August 2025

    5-6 introductory and improver reclaimed timber creative carpentry sessions for 15-26 years olds.

  • This a photo taken by a young person on a photowalk. The image shows a person reclining against the edge of a brick balcony of a housing estate. The back of the persons head lolls over the brick flanked by their arms

    Ceci n'est pas: Hackney

    by Ceci n'est pas
    July-November 2025

    A series of artist-led photo walks for young people resulting in a final gallery show in November 2025

On now & coming up

Whats on
Noughts and Crosses
May 12
Hackney Empire
Noughts and Crosses
Hackney Empire
Hackney Empire
All events

Stay connected with culture

Join the Culture newsletter, highlighting cultural opportunities for everyone in Hackney

Sign up