The Future is Ours Festival showcases exhibitions, poetry & spoken word performances, fashion, live painting & music events by young people

Ancoats gallery The Horsfall has announced the return of its showcase for the unique skills and ideas of Greater Manchester’s young people: The Future Is Ours Festival. From October 22-29, the festival boasts a packed programme of original exhibitions, poetry and spoken word performances, fashion, and live painting and music events – entirely created by young people.

It only takes one of this year’s contributors – 17-year-old Ali Maggs – to help you understand why a platform for youth voices is so important. “People who have the power to change society should listen more to young people about their ideas because if they don’t it limits opportunities,” says the poet and artist. “Why would you want to dull someone’s spark like that?”

It’s a great question, and one The Future Is Ours Festival is designed to address. In its inaugural year in 2020, contributors channelled anger, pride, and stories of heartbreak, struggle and survival into their work. In year two, they’re no less determined to use the platform well: images of other worlds, visual commentaries on their home city, and honest responses to the subjects of mental health and hope all feature – reflecting the critical work of 42nd Street in supporting people aged 11-25 with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Among the highlights throughout the week are a display of 10 electronic billboard collaborations between young people and artists expressing their messages to the world, a mobile gallery in Ancoats coupled with lots of art activities around the area, a live music night led by Northern music charity and emerging artist platform Brighter Sound on Oct 25, an evening of poetry on October 26, a visual art night on Oct 27 and a concluding symposium for professionals already working with children and young people.