Transformations is a free creative programme that supports young people to build the skills and confidence they need to go on to employment, training or further education – created and led by Imagineer Productions in Coventry.Transformations is aimed at 18 to 35-year-olds who may not currently be in education, employment or training. We are actively seeking those who experience barriers to access or development within the arts and creative industries. We celebrate diversity and equality in our programming, participants, delivery and recruitment.
Through creative workshops and practical sessions, individual and group activities, mentoring, skill development and work with inspirational artists, the programme focuses on the individual, their personal development and their pathway to progression. They set their own goals, we work with them to build their confidence and their ability to make a difference in their own lives and the life of their communities. We facilitate, mentor and support them throughout the process so that each participant has as unique and personal Transformations experience.
Across the programme, the participants may experience work in music, visual arts, outdoor performance, production management, technical support and event production and many other opportunities. A large part of the programme involves authentic, real-life work experience in high-profile public-realm, festival and cultural events.
Transformations wouldn’t be possible without the support of our wonderful partners and funders.
In 2024 Transformations trialled different ways of supporting and engaging with Coventry’s local young creatives through long and short-term projects, intensive practical workshops, artist residencies, one-to-one and group sessions focussing on personal and professional development, mentoring, work experience and paid alumni opportunities.
For our Spring/Summer cohort we offered four modules over 8 weeks:
• Street Art and Illustration with GRIT
• Outdoor Performance with Autin Dance Theatre
• Music Production with Media Mania
• Public Art Installation with Sam Williams and Paul O’Donnell
The Spring/Summer programme provided an enriching creative journey for participants, who chose from four specialist areas—street art and illustration, outdoor performance and giant puppetry, public art installation, and music industries and production. Over an 8-week period, young people honed their skills through immersive workshops, culminating in a vibrant showcase at Coventry’s Godiva Festival. Participants engaged an audience of over 5,000 with giant puppet performances, live street art illustrations, and accessible festival wayfinding installations. Behind the scenes, they took on essential roles such as production, lighting and music technicians, stage management, artist liaison, and more, supporting the Resonate Stage and the wider Powerhouse Youth Zone. This programme not only celebrated their creativity and hard work but also equipped them with valuable experience and transferable skills in both artistic and professional contexts.
For the Autumn/Winter cohort, there were two options over 4 weeks:
• Sound Design with Media Mania
• Aerial Performance with Autin Dance Theatre
The Autum/Winter programme showcased the extraordinary creativity and talent of Coventry’s youth, culminating in a vibrant live event, Illuminate, at The Daimler Powerhouse. This immersive experience, themed around “light,” transformed the Daimler Powerhouse into a dynamic hub of sound, movement, and visual storytelling. With guidance from Media Mania and Autin Dance Theatre, participants engaged in a series of intensive workshops focused on sound design, choreography, and aerial performance. The project not only fostered collaboration and co-creation but also empowered participants with new artistic and professional skills. Complementary personal development sessions, delivered by Seven Trent and industry professionals, equipped young creatives with confidence, problem-solving abilities, and practical career tools such as CV writing and interview preparation. Alumni were further integrated as mentors, facilitators, and event assistants, amplifying community impact. The event symbolised the power of creativity to illuminate the diversity, energy, and potential of local youth, inspiring all who attended.
Transformations 2024 is finished. Please see our 2025 programme.