Urban Circle Newport Marks 20 Years with UC’is20

Something significant is happening in Newport.

On March 28th 2026, Urban Circle Newport turns 20. What began as a grassroots youth arts organisation has grown into one of the city’s most consistent and trusted creative spaces for young people. To mark this milestone, we are proud to launch UC’is20, our most ambitious initiative to date, funded by Arts Council Wales.

UC’is20 is more than an anniversary celebration. It is a long-term commitment to the future of youth arts, creative education and opportunity in Newport. See some key dates below!

A New Creative Ecosystem for a Changing Future
Young people today are navigating an uncertain and rapidly shifting world of work. Creative confidence, adaptability and critical thinking are no longer optional skills. They are essential.

Built on two decades of frontline youth work, UC’is20 introduces a connected, multi-venue ecosystem designed to support participation, progression and professional development.

This ecosystem brings together:

The Share Centre
Now operating as a registered Arts Award Centre, the Share Centre is a space for creative development, accredited learning and support. Through UC’is20, we will train and support over 100 young people to achieve nationally recognised Arts Award qualifications, from Bronze to Gold, across music, dance, visual arts and digital media.

CIRCLE
UC’is20 also marks the launch of CIRCLE, our new professional platforming space for film, food, live performance and creative entertainment. Designed as an industry-facing venue, CIRCLE offers emerging artists real-world experience presenting work publicly, engaging audiences and working in professional environments.

Together, the Share Centre and CIRCLE create a clear pathway from participation to progression, connecting creative learning with public platforming and industry engagement.

A Six-Month Cultural Season
UC’is20 will unfold as a six-month cultural season across spring and summer 2026, showcasing the depth, talent and ambition of Newport’s young creatives.

The season opens with a free public launch event at CIRCLE featuring MOBO Award-winning and international artist Lady Leshurr, as part of the Newport Music Trail festival. This sets the tone for the calibre of artists and creative work that will be platformed throughout the anniversary year.

20 Years of Impact
Over the past two decades, Urban Circle has supported more than 10,000 young creatives. Many have progressed into further education, professional creative careers and leadership roles within their communities.

Loren Henry, CEO of Urban Circle Newport, said:
“Twenty years in, Urban Circle is not winding down. It is widening its reach, deepening its care, and strengthening the ecosystem that young people and communities rely on. UC’is20 demonstrates what sustained, place-based youth arts work can achieve. As the anniversary season closes, Urban Circle looks ahead to the next 20 years of learning, creativity and cultural leadership in Newport and beyond.”

Ali ‘Shai’ Boksh, Director of Events and Premises, added:
“After 20 years of grassroots development, Urban Circle has built a flexible learning ecosystem designed to respond to changing futures for young people. The Share Centre supports accredited learning and creative development, while CIRCLE provides a professional platform for exhibition, entertainment and industry engagement. Together, they create meaningful pathways from participation to progression.”

A current participant said:
“Urban Circle is a place where I can be creative, feel supported and work towards something real. It makes me believe there’s a future for me in the arts.”

An Urban Circle alumnus added:
“Urban Circle shaped who I became. The confidence, the relationships and the opportunities stayed with me long after I left. It’s powerful to see it still here for the next generation.”

Be Part of What’s Next
UC’is20 celebrates 20 years of impact while making clear that Urban Circle’s work continues beyond the anniversary. Young people aged 11 to 25 who would like to gain a nationally recognised Arts Award qualification can apply by emailing share@ucnewport.co.uk to request an application form. Artists, audiences, partners and communities are invited to join us as we build the next chapter of youth arts in Newport.

The first 20 years built the foundation. The next 20 begin now. Here is our first show we would love to see you at!