News
A Message from Trina Haldar, Acting CEO of The Spark Arts for Children
2025 has been an incredible year so far for The Spark team!
We’re proud to offer wide-ranging cultural experiences for children and families across Leicester—whether at your school or in your communities. Every child deserves the very best and we’re here to deliver it.
I wanted to take a moment to share what we have been up to and give you a sneak peek at what’s coming next.
Over the past few months, we have enabled…
- Creativity in schools: Collaborating with 8 local schools to help children discover new ways to express themselves and build confidence, through exploring drama, dance and visual art.
- Creative play and storytelling in libraries and children centres: Our child-led Small Wonders sessions for 0-4 year olds have been a hit with families. We have danced, told stories, made music, creating wonderful experiences for the littlest ones in our community.
- Artists to inspire: In March, we brought our Vital Spark artists together with others from across the UK and beyond to share ideas, play and dream. It was such a positive experience, it made us ask: how can we make space for everyone to play and dream? Because we believe it helps us all grow as people.
- Early years educators and musicians to feel empowered: Empowering nurseries and pre-schools across the city to bring the joy of music to young children.
Introducing Spark LIVE!
As we are now into Spring we are thrilled to announce Spark LIVE! Our year-round programme bringing performances, workshops and creative activities directly to children’s doorsteps in Leicester. While our beloved Spark Festival returns in May 2026, Spark LIVE! will keep the creativity flowing year-round.
We’re starting off Spark LIVE! with our Spark LIVE! Events this May.
Takeover
There will be a weekend of FREE, family-friendly activities created by children from four local schools: Medway Community Primary, Barley Croft Primary, Charnwood Primary and Ash Field School.
These children have worked with artist Sam Redway to create exciting activities and performances at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery and Leicester Gallery at De Montfort University as part of our Building Brave Spaces Project.
It’s all about the children taking charge – welcoming families, leading activities, and making sure everyone has a creative blast.
Event Details:
- When: Saturday, 17 May (11am-3pm) at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery & Sunday, 18 May (11am-3pm) at Leicester Gallery, Vijay Patel Building, De Montfort University
- Cost: Free
- What to Expect: Hands-on art activities, performances, music and dancing —all created by children for families to enjoy together.
Just drop in anytime during the day—no booking required!
At Your School
Many of you will know The Spark for our unique ability to bring incredible performances and curated activities to schools and libraries across the region, celebrating Leicester’s vibrant communities.
We will be doing just that as part of Spark LIVE!
Spark LIVE! performances will be brought directly to schools across Leicester and Leicestershire from Tuesday, 20 May – Friday, 23 May 2025:
- Les-tah to the Front: A gig-theatre show co-created with Leicester’s children, all about self-expression, live music, and the punk spirit. (Perfect for KS1, EYFS, SEND)
- Mughal Miniatures: The Elephant and the Drummer: A vibrant storytelling performance blending Kathak dance, puppetry, and physical theatre to explore inclusion and self-discovery. (Suitable for KS1, KS2, SEND)
- Make Some Noise: A fun, interactive spoken word show by multi-award-winning performer Dommy B, celebrating sound, imagination, and friendship. (Ideal for KS1, KS2)
Families can also see Les-tah to the Front in libraries—full details below:
Les-tah to the Front at your local library!
These inspiring young people are the true leaders of The Spark’s creative direction. They guide us with their ideas and ensure that everything we do is ‘fun and less boring’ (their words), relevant and reflects their world. Whether it’s through our Takeover events, the performances they help ignite, or just being part of the conversation, the Mega Bosses are at the heart of Spark LIVE! and everything we do.
Back at The Spark HQ, we continue to cook up even more offers, through partnerships and over cups of tea and well because we love it! If you want to know more then stay tuned by signing up for the latest news!
We cannot wait to welcome you and your friends to an event soon. Look out for us and our team of volunteers in our much-loved red Spark T-shirt. See you soon!
Thank you,
Trina Haldar
Acting CEO, The Spark Arts for Children
