Signal Youth Festival Returns for a second year. Swindon’s only festival dedicated to showcasing and celebrating youth arts returns this summer for its second year. Signal Festival, organised by Prime Theatre, is a partnership between the town’s venues, organisations and freelancers. They all work together to support, showcase, and inspire young creatives aged 11–25.
When
Running from Friday 25th July to Saturday 2nd August, Signal Festival will offer:
- A varied and engaging programme of performances
- Workshops, and exhibitions across Swindon — from music to photography, creative writing, and more.
The festival promotes talent and opportunity. It does it through a dynamic and accessible mix of performance, participation, professional development and pop-up events.
Following its successful launch last summer, the 2024 edition of the festival collaborated with 61 local organisations and artists. They delivered 90 events, attracting over 4,000 attendees and showcasing 170 young artists across 21 venues.
A team of young senior producers curate and manage the festival. They lead on programming, organising, and promotion.
Clarissa Boyce-Johnson (24), one of the festival’s returning producers, said:
‘It’s wonderful that Signal is returning for another year, and I’m so grateful to be part of the producing team! Signal is so important for young people. It grants them access to creative mediums and outlets. It also instills hope that they can make something of themselves in Swindon.’
For 2025
This year, Signal Festival will welcome a team of new producers and volunteers to work alongside those returning from last year. Louise Aust (22), who is joining the production team for 2025, said: ‘After taking part last year as a performer, I’m delighted to be a senior producer for this year’s Signal Festival! Being a local performer, I’ve seen firsthand the immeasurable passion and talent in Swindon. I’m proud to be part of a festival that highlights opportunities for young people and showcases all the wonderful things they bring to the creative arts.’
Signal Festival will soon be recruiting a team of paid trainee producers to assist with the planning and delivery of the festival. It’s a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience in festival production. And all the while shaping the festival’s programme and the experience of its audiences and participants. The festival is also calling on local organisations to get involved by hosting events or delivering activities as part of the week-long programme.
Mark Powell, Artistic Director of Prime Theatre, added: ‘After last year’s success, we’re back encouraging other organisations and artists to come together for a week and show our commitment to new talent. It’s a celebration of the creativity already thriving in Swindon and the rising stars of the future.’
Artists and organisations interested in participating can visit the ‘Get Involved’ section of the Signal Festival website to sign up.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, said: “I couldn’t be more delighted that Signal Festival is returning for another year. It’s a unique event that combines a sheer love of the arts with real opportunities for young people to expand their skills. Ultimately, I want everyone in Swindon to feel that they’re entitled to great art — both as an experience and as a career — and that’s what Signal is all about.’
Signal Festival 2025 will run from Friday 25th July to Saturday 2nd August. There’ll be events happening at venues throughout Swindon.
Learn more at signalfestival.co.uk – https://www.signalfestival.co.uk
Find the festival on Facebook here.
