Wac Arts’ mission is to nurture children and young people’s creativity. In doing so, it is essential that young people are not just the recipient of the charity’s actions but are also a part of the process of decision making that impacts them. The Wac Arts Youth Advisory Group is an independent body of eight young people that comprises young artists, facilitators, participants and community representatives. The groups’ inputs shall ensure that decisions taken by Wac Arts are truly for, with and by the community it works with.
Our current Youth advisory Group
Naomi
Naomi enjoys literary arts such as writing poems and watching slam poetry, and her favourite art form is visual art. She has been drawing hyperrealism since she was 12. Naomi joined WAC in 2026 because she love how the community gives young people the platform to express themselves through the different types of arts.
lara
Lara is a British theatre-maker with her practice focused on writing, dramaturgy and performance. She has taken part in the intergenerational writing project at WAC Arts and is interested in stories from the real to the wondrous. With accessible art for young people being a campaign close to her heart, she is enthused to be a part of the Youth Advisory Group.
Malin
Malin is a filmmaker and Law and Politics graduate, building on his experience through working on short films, writing and producing independently, and working freelance. At university, he helped organise a film festival, working alongside other filmmakers and taking on a producing role.
Samantha
Samantha Jo Yi Lee is a 22-year-old law graduate whom has been part of WAC for over a decade as one of it’s practitioners. Having started originally joined Junior WAC and is now being a part of Actor’s Company. She is very proud of having been a long standing member of WAC’s community and wishes to continue to see WAC thrive and be a beacon of creativity for young people.
Demera
Demera Giles is an Actor, Poet, and Politics graduate from the University of Surrey. She has taken part in a number of Wac Arts project including Intergenerational Writing and Singing and Songwriting. As a facilitator Demera has led youth empowerment classes for African/Caribbean girls, with Bloss.m Scholars and worked with Wac Arts and Write2Speak to deliver spoken word workshops in local primary schools.
Maya
Maya is a creative young artist who is driven to make a meaningful contribution to the arts through promoting accessibility and inclusion. She is passionate about working with the advisory group in a collaborative, innovative space to collectively generate ideas that can shape, influence and celebrate inclusive access and participation in the arts.
Fahmida
Fahmida is a sixth form student passionate about youth advocacy, creativity and self-expression. She enjoys creative writing, exploring new perspectives, and finding new ways to share ideas and believes in the importance of giving young people a voice and hopes to make the arts more accessible, inclusive and welcoming to all.
Youth Advisory Group members work closely with the Wac Arts team to:
- Assess, endorse, or influence the arts programme and the creative output of the organisation.
- Provide constructive feedback on the charity’s communication, branding and design, and how it speaks to them.
- Provide fresh ideas that are creative, inspired, and ambitious.
- Provide the board with constructive feedback and key insights, ensuring decision making and governance is informed, with youth voices represented at all levels.
- Influence and support recruitment through joining interview panels and meeting candidates, where required.
Youth Advisory Group members have opportunities to:
- Build on their leadership, decision making and networking skills.
- Bring their own creative ideas and thoughts for the organisation.
- Develop their understanding of leadership and governance within the arts and charity sectors.
- Represent Wac Arts at both internal events and external Youth-led events, forums and other
relevant opportunities
Youth Advisory Group members receive:
- A payment of £30 for attending in-person meetings
- Access to studio and workspaces
- Free tickets to Wac Arts events and ticket deals at venues across London
- Reimbursement for costs to travel, childcare, events, relevant training or any other expenses
borne by members in their capacity as Youth Advisory Group members.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Schools and Communities team – communities@wacarts.co.uk