# Event Details - **Event Name**: Creative Employability Pathways Co-Design Forum - **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 25 Apr, 2026 at 01:00 pm – Sat, 25 Apr, 2026 at 05:00 pm (+01:00) - **Event Description**: Join us to brainstorm fresh ways to boost creative careers and open new doors together!About this EventFace Festival 2026 - Co Design Event Dear Young People, Partners, Artists, and Community Leaders,We are inviting you to take part in a Co-Design Forum for Face Festival 2026 Pathways, taking place on 25th April 2026 - 1-5pm. This is not just an event. It is a working space for collaboration where young people, artists, educators, and organisations come together to shape the future of our creative employability pathways and the Face Festival programme.What is Face Festival  (5th-15th Nov 2026)  Face Festival, established in 2017, is a youth and Global Majority led, Greater Manchester-wide international festival for creatives, cultural leaders, and social entrepreneurs. With year-round learning culminating in a ten-day festival, it offers seven non-traditional pathways into creative industry careers and leadership, platforming work across theatre, film, music, festival development, Model United Nations, Techwell, and RDE Hub teacher training.This event aims to bring together creative organisations and youth development champions from Greater Manchester and beyond, giving young people and families a clearer understanding of how to navigate careers in the arts and wider creative industries.Why Co-Design?At Elevate Young Minds, we believe that the most impactful opportunities are built with communities, not just for them. This forum creates space to co-design creative employability pathways that respond to real needs, shape the structure and content of Face Festival 2026, share lived experiences from artists, freelancers, and past participants, and build connections between young people, industry, and support organisations. Together, we will explore how creative careers can be more accessible, sustainable, and inclusive.What We Are Co-DesigningParticipants will contribute ideas and insight into Creative Employability Pathways, helping shape over seventy opportunities across dance teacher training, hip hop theatre, freelance creative development, music, film, fashion, festival production, and Model United Nations and youth leadership.Participants will also contribute to shaping the Face Festival 2026 Programme, including the Opening Ceremony in Rochdale, Rotation Dance Exchange, Hip Hop Theatre at Contact Theatre, schools and community programmes, the teacher training model, and the awards ceremony.Event Flow – Blending Insight and Co-Design Arrival, dinner, and informal networking. A relaxed space to connect and begin conversations.Opening and context setting with welcome from hosts and an introduction to the vision and purpose of co-design.Our Journey So Far. A reflection on learning and impact since 2015.Keynote 1. Sector insight framing the challenges and opportunities in the arts and creative industries.Panel discussion on real pathways into practice, with artists and practitioners sharing lived experiences and opening discussion on barriers, entry points, and sustainability.Co-Design in ActionInteractive discussions and audience contribution where participants share experiences of creative careers and employability, identify gaps in current provision, and contribute ideas to improve pathways and access.Spotlight on the teacher training pathway, gathering live feedback and input on programme design, and exploring how training, shadowing, and paid delivery can be strengthened.Keynote 2. A creative perspective exploring how artistic disciplines shape society and communicate complex ideas.Creative intervention with a live dance performance.Open floor and networking. A space for questions, reflections, and connection building.5pm Event finishes.https://youtu.be/h6uzMCpN0D0 - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/manchester/creative-employability-pathways-co-design-forum/100001986654446930 - **Event Categories**: Festivals, Art, Business, Workshops, Entertainment, Theatre, dance - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: GBP ## Event venue details - **city**: Manchester - **state**: EN - **country**: United Kingdom - **location**: Dance Studio Manchester - **lat**: 53.4990702 - **long**: -2.2069079 - **full address**: Dance Studio Manchester, Monsall Road, Manchester, United Kingdom ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Creative Employability Pathways Co-Design Forum - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/ec4e42138f2c0276d65e3e5ea37512cf32ec391ae46f5234d24c413aa67e15ce-rimg-w1200-h1498-dc420302-gmir.jpg?v=1775451439 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Creative Employability Pathways Co-Design Forum being held? - **A:** Creative Employability Pathways Co-Design Forum takes place on Sat, 25 Apr, 2026 at 01:00 pm to Sat, 25 Apr, 2026 at 05:00 pm at Dance Studio Manchester, Monsall Road, Manchester, United Kingdom. - **Q**: Who is organizing Creative Employability Pathways Co-Design Forum? - **A:** Creative Employability Pathways Co-Design Forum is organized by Elevate Young Minds. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Creative Employability Pathways Co-Design Forum is ideal for learners, working professionals, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Manchester, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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