Announcing New Youth Leadership Roles

Zest is proud to announce a significant step in its mission to amplify youth voices: the appointment of two young trustees and a newly created paid leadership role within Future Proof, Zest’s youth advisory board.

These appointments mark a significant milestone in Zest’s commitment to embedding youth voice at every level of the organisation. From creative projects to governance, Zest has spent years developing pathways for young people to lead confidently, shaping its work and contributing to a growing movement for youth leadership across the arts sector.

Blog: The Power of Young Voices

Young voices aren’t just shaping Zest’s work—they’re leading it. Over the past four years, Zest has reimagined what it means for young people to take the lead. We reached a significant milestone in January 2025, appointing two young trustees to our board and creating a new paid leadership role.

We know many organisations want to centre young voices in their work, but where do you start? This blog shares key insights from our journey to help you take those first steps—or refine your approach—toward empowering young leadership.

Refresh Darlington

Inspiring school communities

New artworks for 2024 now open

For the fourth year running, Zest has transformed the words of Year 6s from three schools across Darlington into artworks inside and outside their school, bringing colour and conversation to the place they call home!

Refresh South & East Lincolnshire

Unleashing the boundless wisdom of youth

New installation touring from January 2025

Ready to be seen and heard, the words of young people from across South & East Lincolnshire will soon be turned into vibrant artworks, ready to tour cultural centres, communities, and events to inspire the community!

Zest’s 2024 Wrapped

Last year, Zest hit all the right notes: epic partnerships, bold new artworks, youth-led brilliance, strategy in action, and unforgettable moments on the road.

We launched innovative pop-up youth arts spaces with The Zone and made our mark in new locations and beyond to reach a massive 401,000 people!

A massive thank you to every young person, project partner, commissioner, funder, freelancer, staff member, and trustee who made this year unforgettable. You’ve helped us make magic happen—and 2025 is already shaping up to be even bigger!

Get in The Zone

Look back on The Zone, our brand-new youth space for 11-18-year-olds that toured Lincoln summer 2024. The Zone is your place to chill, create, and be you… returning 2025!

Look back on Camp Phoenix

Take a look back at our Camp Phoenix national tour and listen to our creative team unpack the creative process from inception to stage.

Lincoln Arts Centre Associates

Zest is an Associate Artist at Lincoln Arts Centre for the next three years! Hear Toby and Adam talk about our work, what it means to be Associates, and why Zest is just like Oreo.

Insight into Refresh Mansfield

In October 2023, Refresh artworks appeared across Mansfield to inspire the community. Hear Adam talk about our work across Mansfield, and why it's so close to his own heart.