Young people to take over former Debenhams store in Mansfield for one of a kind creative arts festival

Young people from the Takeover volunteering programme based in Mansfield and Ashfield are gearing up to showcase their creative talents at DepARTment Festival, landing for one day only in Mansfield next month. The free community event, led by 14-24yr olds will open on Saturday 9th March at Four Seasons Shopping Centre.

The former Debenhams store is set to be transformed into a creative arts hub for the day with activities and zones all produced and designed by the students at The Brunts Academy, MyPlace, Inspire College, Portland College, Wings School, Outward Academy and West Notts College. With captivating installations, photography and fashion exhibitions, puppet shows, circus acts, a silent disco, and DJ set and stage lined up, the day-long event promises to be an unforgettable celebration of arts for families and visitors. Anyone coming along can also join in workshops with artists throughout the day, as well as t-shirt printing and spill-the-paint arts and crafts sessions for little ones. 

Takeover is a programme powered by the government’s Volunteering Futures Fund, aimed at fostering the creative talents of young people in Mansfield and Ashfield. Inspire: Culture, Learning & Libraries and Captivate, Ashfield & Mansfield’s Local Cultural Education Partnership received £262,000 from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sports, delivered by Arts Council England, to develop volunteering opportunities across both areas. The grant has been used to deliver ‘Takeover’, a two-year programme which launched in June 2022, to provide young people aged 14-24, and those with disabilities, the opportunity to volunteer and develop their creativity, talent, leadership, and employability skills in the creative art industries.  

Since October 2022, Takeover has mentored over 200 young people on the programme, most of whom will be present at the festival with their creative ideas and productions on display. With the support of mentors from First Art, Nonsuch, New Art Exchange, Unanima and Nottingham Trent University, Takeover volunteers have had the chance to engage in industry site visits, interview business owners and collaborate with artists over ten weeks of learning, all of which has culminated into this one-off event as the programme comes to an end.  

Further information about DepARTment Festival can be found at inspireculture.org.uk/departmentfestival.