Reflections on Reimagining Humanity Hopefully for Brighton Festival 2026
Back in May, our Future Creative Leaders (FCL) launched We, Generate: Reimagining Humanity, Hopefully for Brighton Festival 2026. This bold, youth-led programme asked what’s possible when young people get to shape the culture and future they want to see.
Through performances, workshops and conversations, audiences were invited to ask big questions about what it means to be human, together, and to imagine what a fairer future could look like.
Now, thanks to two of our brilliant FCLs, Casey and Lucia, the programme lives on through a brand new zine and website.
Both reflect on some of the ideas and conversations explored through the programme, while shining a light on the brilliant artists, collaborators and young people who made it what it was.
Revisit the programme and help to keep the conversations going!
Programme highlights included Create Your Dream City, a hands-on collage workshop reimagining the spaces we live in, @ Your Service, an interactive conversation on community, care and lived experience led by Jordan Stephens, alongside Brighton-based youth voices. CTL ALT ESC with Ren and the team shared a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it really means to build an artist project outside of the traditional music industry model. Go Back and Get It: Exploring Sankofa with activist, author Mikaela Loach, and campaigner for climate and racial justice, Joycelyn Longdon. And Steam Down - the genre-defying collective known for turning every room into a congregation - who headlined an evening of improvised, intergenerational music. The programme culminated in a Youth takeover at Brighton Dome studio theatre, celebrating hope and humanity.
Check out Lucia's website in full
Check out Casey's zine below
ABOUT FUTURE CREATIVE LEADERS
Future Creative Leaders (FCL) is a 12-month paid programme offering young creatives from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to work closely with Lighthouse's leadership team to explore various aspects of creative leadership.
FCL redefines youth engagement by sharing power and resources directly with young people. This 12-month programme goes beyond access or participation. It places real influence, leadership, creative agency and decision-making power in the hands of those traditionally underrepresented in the creative industries.
Over the year, participants will co-curate programmes, select participants for mini-residencies, and recruit their successors, all while exploring alternative governance structures, accountability, and power-sharing.
OUR FUNDERS AND PARTNERS FOR BRIGHTON FESTIVAL 2026
We're grateful to: Innovate UK, Chalk Cliff Trust, Sussex Community Foundation, Enjoolata Foundation, Brighton Festival, Brighton Youth Centre, The Old Market and Art in Mind.