Young creatives share what the ‘Enfield of Dreams’ programme means to them and how it is helping them grow as artists, leaders and advocates for creativity in Enfield
Seventeen young creatives from Enfield are helping shape the borough’s cultural future through ‘Enfield of Dreams’, a two-year skills and development programme launched in 2025.
The scheme is designed to amplify the diverse voices of a group of new ‘Young Cultural Leaders’ aged 18 to 30 years, to help them gain skills, experience and confidence in arts programming, management, governance, and leadership.
For artist and illustrator Gloria Da Silva, the programme offers artistic growth and valuable professional development. “It has given me an opportunity to give back and enrich the place I call home, alongside incredible organisations who have served Enfield’s creative communities for years,” she says.
“Being a Young Cultural Leader allows me to use my expertise in painting and illustration in new ways, pushing the boundaries of the medium.
“The artist development piece of the project is what I find exciting, especially as I am still emerging in the artistic space. For instance, learning the importance of admin, a skill that supports a successful art career.”
Gloria adds: “I hope to continue to maintain the connections I’ve made with all the talented people within this programme, to create art people can enjoy.”
Fola Kalesanwo believes the project has the potential to reveal the borough’s rich creative
talent while creating a more inclusive cultural landscape. For Fola, collaboration and visibility are at the heart of what makes the initiative so important.
“Being part of Enfield of Dreams fills me with a real sense of excitement and optimism for the future direction of the artistic and cultural identity of the borough,” she says. “There is a huge wealth of untapped creative potential across Enfield, and I’m excited to see how this programme will nurture this talent.
“It leans heavily on themes of collaboration and co-creation, and I hope the work we do creates opportunities for people who may not always have felt visible or that the arts were for them.”
Reflecting on the connections formed through the programme, Fola adds: “Since Enfield of Dreams began, I’ve met other Young Cultural Leaders who are just as excited about the future of arts and culture in Enfield. There is a real breadth of talent, creativity and passion for the arts. It’s exciting to imagine all the possibilities that we can create together.”
Writer, director and performing arts teacher Shadiye Balikdjioglu has deep roots in Enfield’s
creative community. “When I first heard about Enfield of Dreams, I immediately knew it was something I wanted to be part of,” she says.
“My journey in the arts began through youth theatre groups, local productions, time spent in my grandmother’s bridal shop and community plays written by my grandfather. These experiences sparked a lifelong passion for the arts.
“After graduating, I found myself searching for a creative community and Enfield of Dreams
has given me exactly that. As a Young Cultural Leader, I have been able to collaborate and grow alongside other artists across the borough. What has been most rewarding is connecting with fellow creatives and learning from each other.
“Through these connections, I have been introduced to groups such as the Enfield Young Creatives network, had opportunities, which includes SXSW London, along with access to workshops led by local creatives, which have been truly motivating.”
Shadiye adds: “Being a Young Cultural Leader means having a genuine stake in the future of our borough. It is empowering to be part of something that values and invests in young people’s voices. By developing my skills as a cultural leader, I will advocate for the arts to create opportunities for others. Enfield is the community that shaped me, I want to help shape its cultural future for the next generation.”
The project is led by UP Projects in partnership with Border Crossings, Chickenshed, Clore Leadership, DYSPLA, Face Front Inclusive Theatre, HighRise Entertainment, Enfield Council, plus local artists, creative practitioners, schools and young people. It is funded by LocalMotion Enfield and Arts Council England.
For more information:
Visit upprojects.com/enfield-of-dreams
This article is published with support from LocalMotion Enfield, part of a UK-wide movement for community-led change
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