With For About (WFA) 2026 was a gathering for practitioners who make art with young people - including artists, youth workers, play workers, teachers, producers, and funders.
Curated by artist and educator Sarah Bailey and produced by Emma Fry, Sarah and Emma worked alongside conference contributors to structure the day as a playful reflective conversation. We invited attendees to bring their curiosity, questions, and sense of wonder. Together we explored questions, experimented with ways of working, and shared learning as it unfolded.
What to expect
With For About 2026 was designed as a day for shared thinking, reflection and participation.
We gathered with:
A welcoming, practice-based space for experimentation and shared learning
Time to explore collaboration, creative methods and questions around working with children and young people 0-25
A small, intimate gathering that encouraged creative forms of participation
Sessions led by freelance artists and practitioners
A mix of playful activities, workshops, panels and discussions
Opportunities to reflect together on process, community and creative practice
Schedule
Scroll to the bottom of this page to click through to speakers bios
09:30 Arrivals
Registration and refreshments
10:00 An epilogue: Introduction
Sarah Bailey offered a warm up exercise to wonder and wander back through the traces of the stories we have told already in our work, looking for clues about what matters, and consider what we make of that.
Live musical performance by Semay Wu, Scotland-based composer, media/sound artist, improviser and cellist
10:30 Panel 1: Living to tell the tale
A photo essay based panel to explore knowing, voicing and communicating.
Chaired by Professor Rachel Holmes (Professor of Cultural Studies of Childhood, MMU) with speakers Dr Fiona Whelan (artist and educator), Sahjan Kooner (artist), and Sian Watson-Taylor (artist & SENsory Atelier Artist Ambassador).
11:05 Rest and refresh
11:25 Workshop 1: On journeys, quests and adventures
Creative activity designed and led by artist Hwa Young Jung to think about how this knowing and learning moves through the process of making.
12:15 Post workshop reflections
12:35 Lunch
13:20 Workshop 2: Who you meet on the road (pre-selected by attendees)
Six artist-led workshops based on practice to help us understand how young people’s work exists in different community contexts. Facilitated by Sahjan Kooner, Dr Fiona Whelan and Gillian O Connor (youth worker, Rialto Youth Project, Dublin), Gina Tsang (Curator for Early Years and Families, Tate Modern, artist, Heart of Glass Trustee), Mark Storor (artist), Andy Field (artist), and Larry Achiampong (artist).
14:20 Post workshop reflections
14:40 Rest and refresh
15:00 A touch of ordinary magic
A space for informal discussion designed by artist Fox Irving exploring how we connect with the more than human world, the value of working with materials and when it’s ok to just be in the ‘wonder’?
Featuring Sarah Bailey, Professor Rachel Holmes, Sian Watson-Taylor, Lisa Jacques (SENsory Atelier Programme Manager), Andrea Ku (artist, beekeeper, gardener, teacher) and Riddhi Soni (dancer).
16:05 Panel 2: Meeting the protagonists - who are young people?
Panel discussion to think about roles and personhood in the practice. Chaired by Gill Bainbridge (CEO, Merseyside Youth Association) with speakers Gina Tsang, Larry Achiampong, Andy Field, and Lucía Arias (Learning Manager, FACT).
Theatre based provocation devised and performed by Grace Gallagher and Rachael Smart (Co-Artistic Directors, Ugly Bucket).
16:40 Prologue: Once upon a time
Plenary activity to think about connections and future explorations with Sarah Bailey. Live performance by Semay Wu including sharing of soundscape created from audio recordings of the day's activities.
17:00 Close
Access
We aim to create safe, welcoming and accessible spaces for all. Access information for Shakespeare North Playhouse:
- Wheelchair accessible, with flat access
- BSL interpretation will be provided.
- First aiders, including mental health first aid trained staff, will be on site
- A quiet, soft, sensory space created and hosted by Sue Flowers, artist and Director of Green Close, was available throughout the day
- In a town centre location
- Nearest train station is Prescot (for trains to Liverpool Lime Street and Wigan North Western. Access to all platforms using station lifts, a stepped footbridge is available and the station is fully accessible)
- Nearest accessible parking is at Prescot train station
- Nearest taxi drop off is at Prescot train station
Full address: Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prospero Place, Prescot, L34 3AB
Our thinking
We live in a time that often looks for quick answers rather than space to question and explore. This can feel especially intense in work with children and young people, where there is pressure to respond to education, wellbeing and future readiness.
With For About 2026 offered a different approach. It offered a space to slow down, reflect, play and experiment. We were interested in relationships, collaboration and what it really means to work with young people in the moment they are in. Rather than aiming for consensus or neat conclusions, we invited participants to sit with uncertainty and explore the complexity of creative practice together.
Contributors
Funded by Arts Council England and Paul Hamlyn Foundation with additional support from Arts Council of Ireland and Create Ireland.
Part of This Place, This Stage, an Arts Council England–supported Place Partnership with Knowsley Council, Heart of Glass, Adlib, Kirkby Gallery, Make CIC and Shakespeare North Playhouse.
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