Young Cultural Leaders
“This space is a necessity for growth – not a privilege,”
“I have found myself placing my own answers to questions I have been asking for years.”
Prev Young Cultural Leaders participants
What is Young Cultural Leaders?
Norwich Theatre’s Young Cultural Leaders is a two-year programme open to anyone aged 18-25 who is interested in the opportunity to develop leadership skills and make a difference in the region.
Year one content
- Guest speakers – exploring leadership styles, lived experiences and unique pathways with inspirational local and national leaders.
- Group socials – Networking opportunities and space to socialise with the cohort, including tickets to performances and backstage tours.
- Spaces for reflection – reflective sessions led by the Creative Learning team.
Year two content
- Deeper exploration of governance – held by the Norwich Theatre team and joined by guest trustees from a wide range of boards we will help support and prepare participants on their journey to understanding and applying for positions on boards.
- Opportunity to progress on to the Norwich Theatre board – a supportive process leading to one member of the cohort potentially being recruited as a Norwich Theatre Trustee.
Why is this for me?
- Building confidence – gaining new leadership skills and connections whilst being inspired and empowered by likeminded peers and local leaders
- Interest in making a difference within the region – using your lived experiences and what motivates you to make change
- Board recruitment – the opportunity for one participant to be recruited onto the Norwich Theatre board at the end of the second year. We will support other participants with opportunities to apply to other organisations boards.
What is the commitment?
- Attendance for 1 year with the option to continue into a second year focused on board recruitment
- 12 gatherings across the year (approx. once a month for 2 hrs each) – we encourage participants to try and attend all gatherings to get the most out of the programme including X2 Reflective sessions led by the Creative Learning team
- Dates will be shared ahead of the programme launch in April
How do I apply?
We are now recruiting for the Young Cultural Leaders 2026-2028 cohort.
Email our friendly team at learning@norwichtheatre.org
- Tell us why you are interested in applying for the programme. We will then contact you to arrange a short call to discuss the programme in further detail and whether it is the right fit for you. We are limited to 20 participants and therefore spaces are not guaranteed for all applicants. Places on the programme will be allocated based on who we feel will most benefit from the programme (use the ‘why is this for me’ section in this Power Point to help). Deadline for applications is Fri 30 Jan 2026
There is no cost to take part in the programme – we want to ensure this programme is accessible to all who want to take part. There will be an open communication with participants who need further support to take part throughout programme delivery.
Creative Assembly
Young Cultural Leaders is one of our five groups in our Creative Assembly initiative. Each group in the Creative Assembly has its own focus and will bring its own ideas and creativity to help shape the direction of Norwich Theatre. Together, the Creative Assembly will transform decision making at Norwich Theatre and enhance communities’ integration into the life of the theatre.