Young Ambassadors Programme Highlights Bradford’s Creative Youth

Engaging Bradford’s young creatives through museums and galleries

The Young Ambassadors scheme, designed to better understand the interests of young people in the Bradford District, recently showcased the talents and insights of local youth through a series of meetings and an open call exhibition. The initiative aims to foster a more inclusive environment within Bradford’s museums and galleries by involving socially aware young people eager to make a positive change.

Meetings and Visual Documentation

The group met every couple of months at various Bradford District museum and gallery sites, beginning at the Bradford Industrial Museum. Isabel Booth, a BD25 creative apprentice and participant in the programme, created visual minutes documenting the discussions and activities during these meetings, providing a unique insight into the group’s progress and values.

Z OPEN Exhibition: A Platform for Young Creatives

One of the key highlights was the open call exhibition titled Z OPEN, aimed at young creatives aged 16 to 25 with connections to Bradford. The exhibition’s name references Generation Z and was designed to be fully accessible with a free submission process, addressing socio-economic barriers often faced by young artists.

• The exhibition was held in the main gallery space at Bradford Industrial Museum, a site with a rich cultural history.
• Selected artists had the opportunity to display their work, including pieces reflecting Bradford’s radical history and social justice themes.
• A screen-printing workshop was facilitated by artist Erinscolours, engaging participants of all ages.
• Prizes were awarded to artists Juna Tu, Van Garon, Haleema Aziz, and the Public’s Choice award went to Sanaa Ahmed, with rosettes designed and made by young ambassador Atiyya Mirza.

Context and Challenges

The exhibition took place amid a challenging local atmosphere, with many lampposts near the museum displaying St George’s flags, which some found intimidating. This highlighted ongoing political polarisation and far-right influences in the area, prompting reflection on whether museums and galleries are doing enough to challenge such ideologies. Bradford’s history of social justice, including the Chartist movement and the founding of the Independent Labour Party, underscores the city’s long-standing commitment to equality and workers’ rights.

Artist and Ambassador Perspectives

Kennedy Drake, a Bradford-born artist and lead ambassador for the programme, emphasised the importance of creating paid opportunities for young people in the arts sector. Drake’s work often explores themes of inequality and working-class culture, drawing from personal experience and addressing contemporary issues such as the cost-of-living crisis. Alongside fellow lead ambassador Fatima, Drake expressed optimism about the future and gratitude for the support from museum staff, volunteers, and the Friends of Bradford Museums and Galleries.

The Young Ambassadors scheme not only provides a platform for young creatives to showcase their work but also encourages ongoing dialogue about inclusivity and social awareness within Bradford’s cultural institutions.

Learn More

For further details and to explore the visual documentation and artworks, readers are encouraged to visit the original blog post by Kennedy Drake on the Bradford Museums website: Young Ambassadors 2025 – by Kennedy Drake.