The Creative Collective
Creative Collective!
Submissions are now closed! View this years submissions here.
We at City Lions, want to share and celebrate the creativity of Westminster’s brilliant young people and showcase their art, in all its different forms and demonstrate how creativity, can communicate and express opinions, thoughts and feelings. All too often the voices of young people go unheard. The Creative Collective is a chance for young people to use creativity as a tool to communicate.
Each year, the Collective has four different themes that we ask young people to respond to. Themes are determined by young people, as issues or topics they feel are important or relevant to their lives.
2025 Themes:
- The Future
What does the future look like to you? The world around us as well as ourselves transform every day – new and different ways of living are always on the horizon. Or sometimes it can feel like nothing changes at all. Time can pass both slowly and quickly. As we reach the fifth year of the Creative Collective (and we don’t know where that time has gone!), we are thinking about the future in 5 years’ time. What does the future look like for you? You could explore this theme from any viewpoint – the future of our communities, your personal future, what new technologies might there be, what changes you may hope to see within your community in the future? What do you want the world to look like for other young people in 5 years’ time?
- Our World
We live in it, we take from it, we give to it, we explore it. What does our world mean to you? How do you view the world? What do you think is the most important parts of the world? This theme invites you to explore the world in which you live, what are your opinions on the world today? What is different about the world today?
- Roots and Belonging
What comes to mind when you think of roots and belonging? You might be thinking of nature and how things grow. Or you might be thinking of your own roots and belonging. What makes you feel grounded and connected – to yourself, your community, to your family and friends. You could explore what gives you a sense of belonging, what family traditions are embedded within your own roots, your faith or heritage. You can also explore this theme by showcasing the roots surrounding you, is that to do with nature? with family?
- Love & Unity
Love and Unity was a previous theme for the Collective in 2021 – it was one of the most popular themes we have seen. To mark the fifth year of the Collective we are bringing it back. If you responded to this theme before has your experiences of love and unity changed. What is love and unity to you now in 2025? We invite you to explore what love and unity means to you – does it evoke thoughts of people, places, activities, old memories. Where or with who do you feel most unified with?
Please note, our themes are open to interpretation, and we encourage you to respond to them in whichever way you connect to them the most. The above descriptions are offered as a starting point or suggestion to those who wish to use them.
We would like to thank Westminster Children’s Services, schools, libraries, the Archives Centre, The Saatchi Gallery and all our partners supporting this work. For any questions or enquiries, please email us on citylions@westminster.gov.uk.
Check out work submitted from previous years below: