HeadStart

I'm Yamana, a creative with no fixed specialism but a deep love for learning. I explore all kinds of artistic practices - from drawing to dance - but what truly excites me is discovering how learning can happen outside of formal settings. The spaces where we cook, share, grow, and play together are where I've felt the most alive, connected, and creatively energised.

My journey to HeadStart began five years ago when I moved to Leeds to study International Development. It turned out to be an expensive way to learn that essay-based learning didn't suit me. But what I did find was that most of my growth happened in third spaces - places like Woodhouse Community Centre and the Salsa Society. Whether cooking inventive meals with community-grown vegetables (courgette cake, anyone?) or dancing with international students, these experiences taught me about resourcefulness, collaboration, and community-led learning.

HeadStart has been a fast-track immersion into the world of arts and cultural production. From the get-go, I was thrown into the deep end (in the best way possible) during the production week of Travel Light - an incredible cross-cultural performance that brought together Sufi vocals, Spanish guitar, Zulu harmonies, poetry, tabla, and digital projections. Supporting nine artists as they built a show in just five days gave me a first-hand look into what it takes to make magic happen - from artist scheduling to stage management to documenting a creative process.

Since then I've learned how to write artist briefs, book venues, compere shows and design newsletters. It's also been an absolute privilege to be working on placements and making connections with incredible organisations such as Chapel FM, Leeds Heritage Theatres and Leeds International Film Festival. Through all this, I've not only gained technical skills but also clarity around what I want to contribute to the sector. I've seen how programmes like HeadStart can provide a much-needed bridge for early-career creatives - especially those from Global Majority backgrounds - to step into arts and culture with confidence, context, and care.

We are living in a time where many young people and creatives are struggling to find creative opportunities. My dream is to help build connections and create spaces where people can come together to learn, create, and grow. HeadStart has been a vital step in that journey - and I feel incredibly lucky to be on it.

To read more about how Yamana shares her vibrant creativity, head to her bio!
    

Orısa Pather
I recently completed my Master's in Fine Art at Lancaster University. My journey into the arts hasn't followed a single, straightforward path. Over time, I've come to realise that the roles I take on shift constantly depending on the project, the people involved, and the challenges we are trying to tackle. This fluidity has become one of my strengths, and the HeadStart programme with SAA-uk has played a major role in helping me recognise and refine that.

Working with SAA-uk through HeadStart has changed the way I view myself as a creative professional. Before joining, I didn't have formal training in marketing, producing, or community engagement. I've since had the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of projects including radio work with Rangoli Radio and Fever FM, supporting the delivery of events like Parampara and Summer Solstice, and engaging with neighbourhoods across Leeds through community visits and conversations. I also had the chance to attend AI tour hosted by Microsoft, which tied into my personal interest in technology and digital art. Each of these experiences taught me something new, and the training I received at SAA-uk has helped me apply these learnings beyond the organisation. I now feel confident that these are the kinds of transferable skills that will allow me to contribute meaningfully to any arts organisation I work with.

One of the most empowering aspects of the programme has been being trusted to speak on behalf of my demographic. As a young person, it can be easy to feel like your voice doesn't hold much weight, especially when talking about your visions or the kinds of things you want to see represented. Through HeadStart, I've come to understand that these perspectives are essential to building a more inclusive and innovative sector. I've realised there is a particular value in the kind of knowledge that comes from being deeply embedded in online/digital culture and creative communities. I've learned how to translate that insight into creative strategy. That understanding is something I now bring into every area of my work.

What I do value the most is what I've gained from HeadStart is a sense of clarity. I understand the systems that shape the arts and culture sector, and I've begun developing the tools to navigate and challenge them. I've always believed in the importance of building strong, sustainable arts communities in the North. This programme has helped me see how I can contribute to that. I no longer feel unsure about how to start. I know how to put an idea into action, and that knowledge is incredibly powerful. I no longer feel like I'm just “hoping” to make something happen; I know how to make it happen.

Get to know Orısa more by heading to her team bio