Discover Young Hackney

A young graffiti artist paints a colourful artwork displaying the words "Love Yourself First".

Free creative workshops and courses in theatre, music, film, woodwork and design for young people aged 15-26.

Discover Young Hackney is a vibrant youth arts and culture programme designed for young people aged 15–26 who live, work, or study in Hackney, the programme offers a specially curated range of free creative workshops and courses in theatre, music, film, woodwork, and design. Whether you’re looking to develop a play, drop a track, or work on film sets, Discover Young Hackney supports your first steps toward a career in the arts. This summer, get creative and take part in a dynamic programme made just for you.

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
Ceci n’est pas Hackney - The Exhibition
Nov 20
Ceci n’est pas Hackney - The Exhibition

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