Next Gen was a project for 16–24-year-olds who wanted to pursue a creative career. Through artist-led workshops and events the project was a supportive environment where young creatives could collaborate, learn from experienced artists, and showcase their work.

The project ran for three years, ending in Spring 2026. During its final year, we welcomed new participants through a series of spray-painting taster sessions in September. Following this, we held an exciting mix of workshops, including acrylic pouring, felt landscapes, lino printing, metal work, pottery, folklore poetry, and abstract portraits.

The workshops helped to develop skills within the group and generate ideas for a live brief, which we worked on alongside the workshop programme. The brief was set by Beam, a cultural development organisation working across the North of England, as part of the Animate Chesterfield project funded by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The theme of the brief was “Chesterfield Through Our Eyes: Present and Future.” Each member of the group created their own piece of work in response to this theme, which will feature in a town centre exhibition in March 2026.