Inside V&A East’s Youth Collective Common Manifesto: A Creative Gathering for Young Voices

Gathering Creative Voices: The Common Manifesto Event

In December 2024, the V&A East Youth Collective orchestrated a vibrant event called Common Manifesto at Bow Arts, as part of the back2back programme. This initiative empowers young people to lead, connect through art, and express their perspectives on identity and community.

A Day Infused with Creativity and Shared Stories

The event buzzed with artistic energy, featuring collaborations with artist Tania Bruguera, Lucia Barsegian, and ArtVomit Studio. Together, they cultivated an atmosphere of openness and warmth, where every participant’s voice was valued.

Throughout the day, attendees engaged in various creative activities:

• Building plinth stands to display and celebrate personal objects meaningful to them
• Assembling these objects into a collective installation
• Crafting collages by cutting and pasting images and words to narrate their stories
• Writing poetry freely in a dedicated corner, culminating in a group poem performed by the Youth Collective

Deep Conversations on Inclusion and Identity

Alongside the creative sessions, the event fostered important dialogues on how cultural institutions like museums can become more welcoming and representative of young people’s diverse experiences. Topics ranged from identity and belonging to activism and the realities of growing up in today’s world.

Four members shared heartfelt personal stories, a moment that silenced the room and demonstrated the power of honest, lived experience in creating empathy and understanding.

Creating Safe and Supportive Spaces

Despite the venue’s small and intimate setting, the energy was palpable. Participants brought passion, kindness, and a collective spirit that ensured everyone felt included and supported—a testament to what can happen when young people help steer the narrative.

Documenting the Journey

Filmmaker Timi Akindele-Ajani captured the essence of the Youth Collective’s journey in a film that highlights their workshops, the lead-up to the V&A East pre-opening, and the impactful conversations shared from November 2024 to March 2025. This documentary provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it means for young people to shape a museum experience in their own image.

The Significance of Youth-Led Cultural Engagement

This event marked the Collective’s first extensive experience in organizing a museum event that truly centers the perspectives of East London’s youth. It showcased the potential for museums to be spaces where young people are seen, represented, and understood, breaking away from traditional, top-down programming.

Perspectives from the Community

For youths coming from diverse and often underrepresented backgrounds, such as working-class or communities of color, participating in events like Common Manifesto carries profound meaning. It opens doors to safe spaces where they can share, lead, and inspire, alongside peers with similar backgrounds and experiences.

Why This Matters for Those in the Travel and Transfer Sector

When young people actively shape the cultural landscape, it resonates beyond the museum walls, influencing how local neighborhoods, cities, and their stories are told and experienced. For travelers arriving at airports or visiting city destinations, this deepened cultural representation enriches their engagement with the place, making transfers, taxi rides, and trips around the city more meaningful and connected to local narratives.

Key Takeaways and the Power of Personal Experience

The Common Manifesto offers an inspiring example of youth-driven creativity and dialogue shaping spaces traditionally distant from young voices. However, even the most honest reviews or feedback can only go so far in truly capturing the value of firsthand experience.

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LocalsRide.com stands out by letting users pick vehicle specifics, see detailed info including make, model, and driver ratings, which traditional aggregators often overlook. This level of transparency empowers informed decisions, reflecting the same spirit of inclusion and honesty seen in initiatives like the Common Manifesto.

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Looking Ahead: How Youth Voices Shape Future Tourism Experiences

While the Common Manifesto’s impact may feel primarily local, the importance of young people having a platform to express themselves and influence cultural spaces is universal. This momentum may translate globally, inspiring travel destinations to be more inclusive and reflective of their communities.

LocalsRide remains committed to staying tuned to such developments, ensuring travelers and locals alike benefit from transparent, inclusive, and comfortable transportation options. Start planning your next adventure and book your tailored transfer with LocalsRide to embrace a more connected, authentic travel experience.

Sammanfattning

The V&A East Youth Collective’s Common Manifesto shines a spotlight on the power of youth-led cultural participation through art, dialogue, and authentic storytelling. By fostering inclusive environments and sharing personal narratives, the event redefines museum spaces and community engagement.

Such initiatives influence how cities and destinations tell their stories—key for travelers relying on local taxi and transfer services to get around. Platforms like LocalsRide.com complement this by offering transparent, customer-focused booking experiences with exact vehicle and driver details, affordable fares, and flexibility. Whether at the airport or around town, finding the best ride to suit your needs has never been easier.