Kingston-Upon-Thames-based Creative Youth has announced that Louise Coles is stepping down as Chief Executive after five and a half years. The charity is behind the FUSE International festival and recently-opened creative space FUSEBOX.
Making the announcement Robin Hutchinson MBE, Chair of the Trustees, said “We owe an enormous thanks to Louise who has been a brilliant CEO and leader of Creative Youth. She has overseen so many great initiatives for the charity and steered it through the enormously challenging times of Covid and onto new successes. Her work has been driven by a passion to ensure that young people’s ideas and voices fuel and direct our work. Louise is stepping away from the CEO role but remains with the charity to help focus on our fundraising efforts. Everyone involved with the organisation would like to thank her for her work.”
Creative Youth is excited to announce that Louise’s leadership role will be taken up by two young people with several years involvement with the charity between them. Archie O’Neill & Daniel Cartlidge will take up roles as Co-Directors from September. Louise will continue to support the new leaders in a part time role focused on fundraising.
Robin Hutchinson MBE said “The trustees have decided to keep faith with our driving mission to support young people in the arts by appointing two young practitioners to lead the Creative Youth and oversee the next stages in the charity’s growth.”
Outgoing CEO Louise Coles said “It has been the most fabulous and exciting journey to be at the helm of Creative Youth over the last few years – to see it develop and grow from a project-based organisation to a year-round one with the addition of our new creative space FUSEBOX – despite the challenges of Covid, Brexit and current economic conditions. Our young people are taking a greater role in running the charity with a board of 15 Young Creatives – and now two young leaders will take over my role from the beginning of September as Co-Directors.”.
Incoming leaders Archie O’Neill & Daniel Cartlidge said “We are both incredibly excited to be supporting Creative Youth through one of the most exciting chapters in our history. By working closely together, we hope to champion more young people than ever to make use of the spaces, programmes and opportunities provided by Creative Youth.”
Daniel Cartlidge is moving into the Co-Director role from his position as General Manager at Creative Youth. He has a passion for exploring and highlighting underrepresented identities on stage and supporting emerging artists within the industry. Daniel trained at both the University of Leeds and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, where he received a BA (Hons) in History and a MA in Creative Producing.
Co-Director Archie O’Neill is currently Community & Participation Manager at Creative Youth. His role involves collaborating with community groups, schools & colleges, youth services and artists from underserved backgrounds. Having previously studied at King’s College London and the Courtauld Institute, Archie has worked at museums and galleries such as The British Museum, The National Gallery, Tate and Dulwich Picture Gallery.
Creative Youth is a charity based in Kingston-upon-Thames that exists to enable young people aged 5 – 26 to realise their potential through the arts, involving them in innovative, original and ambitious projects. Projects include the Creative Talent Programme, the annual FUSE International festival, a young people’s skills development programme and a heritage project AMP Kingston.
