YOUNG AND EMERGING LEADERS FORUM

Created by ITAC and Creative Generation, YELF is a programme specifically designed to address the persistent generational gaps and absences we see in international networks and spaces. 

This annual 9-month initiative fosters a dynamic peer network among emerging professionals in culture, education, and social change. Hosted collaboratively by ITAC and Creative Generation, the Young & Emerging Leaders Forum (YELF) builds cohorts and community among emerging leaders in our sector. 

As the international gathering space for our sector, we are proud to ensure youth voices are supported and included in all levels of our work.

Adults viewing presentation in a white room.

COHORT ANNOUNCED

Join us in celebrating the commencement of the 2023-24 Young & Emerging Leaders Forum (YELF), jointly presented by Creative Generation and the International Teaching Artists Collaborative (ITAC).

YELF is a an annual 9-month initiative cultivating a peer network among emerging professionals in culture, education, and social change, building upon the success of its pilot programmes.

Tailored to the diverse needs of participants, the programme fosters collaborative learning through critical reflection, encouraging mutual sharing and radical reimagining of future endeavours. This year's cohort, representing various artistic practices globally, kicked off their journey on August 3rd. We look forward to sharing more about the cohort's journey soon.

Arts and Advocay

Identifying different ways to advocate for the field of teaching/community engaged artistry.

Arts for Social Change

Cultivating ways of using the arts for social justice.

Arts and Technology

Exploring the impact of technology across the field.

Community Engagement and Mobilization

Finding ways to deepen connections with peers and future colleagues at similar career stages.

Meet the Cohort

Ridhi Aggarwal (She/Her); Location: India

David Kweku Adom Ankamah (He/Him); Location: Accra, Ghana ‍

Joseph Babatunde (He/Him); Location: Lagos state, Nigeria ‍

Shyheim Banks (He/They); Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USAK.

Alejandra Barahona (She/Her); Location: Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Anthony Caruso (He/Him/They/Them); Location: New Jersey, USA

Ornella Chellen (She/Her); Location: Mauritius, Indian Ocean

Isaac Chitenta (He/Him); Location: Livingstone City, Zambia

Paige Dirkes-Jacks (She/Her/They/Them); Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Rosakebia Liliana Estela Mendoza (He/Him); Location: Chiclayo, Peru

C. Meranda Flachs-Surmanek (They/Them); Location: Blacksburg, Virginia, USA

Carly Fulcher (She/Her); Location: Fort Myers, Florida, USA

Elissar Ghannam (She/Her); Location: Lebanon, Mount Lebanon, Ain w Zein ‍

Kristian Glomnes (He/Him); Location: Norway

Nicolle Herrera (She/Her); Location: Colombia

Nuhu Ibrahim kankia (He/Him); Location: Katsina State, Nigeria

Madalitso Juwayeyi (She/Her); Location: Blantyre, Malawi

Haniyyah Khan (She/Her); Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada ‍

Steven T. Licardi (He/Him); Location: Blacksburg, Virginia, USA

Benjamin Livoi (He/Him); Location: Mombasa, Kenya

Raghavendra Madhu (He/Him); Location: Guwahati, Assam, India

Bea Makan (She/Her); Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Mankaba Matela (She/Her); Location: Maseru, Lesotho

Taku Mbudzi (She/Her); Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Chloe McHardy (She/Her); Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Abueng Mkhonza (She/Her); Location: Soweto, South Africa

Frédérick Moreau (He/Him); Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Asuka Morinaga Derfler (She/Her); Location: New York, New York, USA

Idd Mwachinago (He/Him); Location: Kenya

Timothy Njuguna (He/Him); Location: Nairobi, Kenya

María Fernanda Ocampo Villava (She/Her); Location: Mexico

Geofrey Odhiambo (He/Him); Location: Mombasa City, Kenya

Victoria Olanike Omoloye (She/Her); Location: Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

Nadia (Akyaa) Otoo (She/Her); Location: Accra, Ghana

Jacqueline Raymond Wegman (She/Her); Location: Astoria, New York, USA

Rich Richards (He/Him); Location: Kingston, Jamaica

Joseph Roberts (He/Him); Location: Cardiff, Wales

Caleb Salifu (He/Him); Location: Accra, Ghana

Sanjeewa Senavirathne (He/Him); Location: Sri Lanka, Colombo

David Tann (He/Him); Location: London, UK

Carmel Torres (She/Her); Location: Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines

Marc Neil Valenciano (He/Him); Location: City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Region III, Philippines

Juan Yanqui (He/Him); Location: Riobamba, Chimborazo, Ecuador

Join our network