Fusion Arts Award Explore Celebration Event at Horizon College

Last month, the Fusion Arts Award Explore Ambassadors Celebration Event was held at Horizon Community College. The event brought together children and young people from schools across the borough to celebrate their achievements, creativity, and participation in the Fusion Arts Award Explore Programme 2025-26.   

Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust were delighted to once again support this programme with a grant, as we firmly believe in the transformational effect experiencing arts, culture and creativity can have on young people.    

It was fantastic to see so many talented pupils proudly showcasing their work and sharing the creative projects they have been involved in throughout the year. 

It was an honour to be joined by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Michael Davies who presented the awards to the students, as well as Colonel George Kilburn MBE Deputy Lieutenant, Councillor Vicky Jackson and Barnsley’s Young Mayor, Tamsin Brooke, as we recognised the hard work, dedication, and imagination demonstrated by pupils from across Barnsley. 

The evening highlighted the important role that arts, culture, and creativity play in the lives of our young people. Not only do these activities help develop valuable skills for the future, but they also build confidence, support wellbeing, and provide opportunities for children and young people to express themselves. It was wonderful to hear them talk about their projects with great enthusiasm, and the variety of creative work on show was amazing.   

The pupils will all receive an entry level qualification as a result of taking part, and it was clear how proud they were of this achievement as they received their certificates from the Deputy Mayor.    

We were also treated to amazing dance performances by the Horizon College Dance group, demonstrating another wonderful way young people can express their creativity.  

Thank you to all those who took part, the teachers for embracing the programme, the families and special guests who attended on the evening, Horizon Community College for hosting and all the Trust’s supporters who help make project like these happen. 

If you would like to donate to help us do more, please visit www.bmht.org.