Youth arts festival shortlisted for national award

The accolade recognises the festival's work bringing young people together through arts and culture across Swindon.
Signal Festival, Swindon’s youth arts festival for 9 to 25-year-olds, is shortlisted alongside organisations from across the UK, including MADE – Manchester's Cultural Education Partnership, Salford CEP, and Building Young Brixton. 
The awards, run by national arts education charity Curious Minds, received more than 250 entries this year across 10 categories, reviewed by a panel of 25 judges drawn from the arts, cultural and education sectors.
Signal Festival is Prime Theatre's flagship youth arts programme, offering free and low-cost creative opportunities for young people aged 9 to 25 across Swindon. 
Partner organisations have included Swindon Borough Council, Museum and Art Swindon, Create Studios, BBC Wiltshire, and the National Trust.
Dr Nick Capstick OBE, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Prime Theatre, said: “We're delighted that Signal Festival has been recognised in this year's National Arts and Cultural Education Awards. 
"Signal Festival is only made possible by the incredible work of our partner organisations and artists, who work with us each year to deliver incredible opportunities to young people and put a spotlight on the culture and creativity that Swindon has to offer.”
The winners will be announced at a ceremony on Wednesday 21 October at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.
Now in its third year, Signal Festival celebrates and encourages youth creativity in Swindon through a week-long programme of workshops and performances spanning music, dance, visual art, poetry, film and theatre. 
Launched and produced by Swindon-based arts charity Prime Theatre, the festival is run by a team of young producers who programme, organise and promote it with the support of Prime Theatre. 
This year's festival ran from Friday 24 July to Saturday 1 August, attracting hundreds of audience members across more than 40 events at over 10 venues, including whole-day programmes at Town Gardens, Richard Jefferies Museum and The Platform, and delivered in partnership with more than 80 partner organisations, artists and creative practitioners.
Cllr Matthew Vallender, Swindon Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Planning and Regeneration, said: “Signal Festival is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared commitment to young people. 
"This nomination recognises not only the dedication of Prime Theatre and the young producers who lead the festival, but also the strength of the partnerships that make it possible. 
"The festival showcases the creativity, ambition and community spirit that are at the heart of Swindon's UK City of Culture 2029 bid. 
"By bringing together artists, cultural organisations, schools and communities, Signal Festival is helping to nurture talent, widen participation and demonstrate the transformative role culture can play in shaping a brighter future for our town.”
 

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