Who we are and what we do

 UKYA is both a partnership and an event.

The event will take place every two years in one of the cities of Leicester Derby and Nottingham - each city will host the event once every six years. This event is up to a week in duration and will showcase exceptional young talent from around the UK in all art forms. Young artists (18-30) will also have the opportunity to collaborate, to take part in workshops, debates and symposiums. They will also have the opportunity to spend time with other artists in a more informal setting. The first event will take place in Derby in 2010. However the event will grow and be one of the foremost cross art form events for young artists in the UK. 

Of the artists represented at UKYA event, around 15, will be selected to represent the UK at the following years International Biennale of Young Artists of Europe and the Mediterranean.

In 2012 UKYA will be partners in a world event for young artists as part of the Cultural Olympiad. This event will bring together up to 2000 young artists from around the world and a substantial world audience to the East Midlands region and the UK. It will also provide an opportunity to profile the creativity of young artists. The world event will be as much about intercultural dialogue across political borders as it is about art and a chance for international exchange on a world scale.  Work will be on show in some of the regions most prestigious venues and a whole city will be transformed by the creations of young people. The like of this has never been seen before in this country or indeed in the world. It will be an unforgettable experience for all who take part and its audiences.