1. Developing Creative Skills for All
At Hidden Beach CIC, we believe that creativity flourishes when people are given the space, support and encouragement to grow.
HB2026 offers opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn new skills, explore creative interests, and build confidence through hands-on participation.
Our talent and education work is guided by three principles:
- Access – opportunities should be open, inclusive and welcoming.
- Growth – participants gain skills, knowledge and real creative experience.
- Pathways – learning leads somewhere: a skill, a project, a performance, a future.
2. Workshops & Creative Pathways
Across the month-long HB2026 programme, we deliver a diverse series of 20+ workshops, spanning:
- music
- dance
- creative arts
- wellness
- movement
- circus
- storytelling
- film
- cultural experiences
- culinary arts
- drumming
- design
- performance
- imagination and play
These workshops are:
- hands-on
- suitable for all skill levels
- led by experienced facilitators
- designed to build skills, confidence and creative expression
- shaped around community need
Participants can attend individual sessions or follow themed pathways across the month.
3. School.HiddenBeach – Learning Through Culture
Our educational arm, School.HiddenBeach, offers creative learning opportunities for:
- young people
- schools
- colleges
- emerging artists
- international students
- local education partners
Programmes include:
Creative industry tasters
Introducing young people to music, arts, performance, festival production and creative technology.
Cultural learning
Interactive sessions exploring global cultures, sound-system history, local heritage and creative storytelling.
Skills-focused workshops
From drumming to drawing, dance to digital creativity.
Practical experience
Opportunities to support events, contribute to programming or learn through participation in HB2026 activities.
School.HiddenBeach broadens horizons and builds pathways into creative careers.
4. Supporting Artists & Creative Practitioners
HB2026 provides opportunities for:
- local artists to showcase work
- emerging talent to develop practice
- facilitators to lead workshops
- DJs, musicians and performers to collaborate
- creatives to build networks and visibility across Hastings
Our programming creates a platform where artists at all stages of their journey can:
- present their work
- expand their skills
- learn from global and local practitioners
- reach new audiences
- contribute to a culturally vibrant town
We are committed to investing in local talent, amplifying underrepresented voices, and creating space for artistic experimentation.
5. Youth Talent & Future Pathways
A significant part of our educational vision focuses on youth engagement.
For young people, HB2026 provides:
- creative confidence-building
- industry awareness
- performance opportunities
- access to artistic mentors
- skills transferable beyond the arts
- inclusive, supportive environments
Whether through drumming sessions, dance workshops, arts activities, DJ pathways, culinary creativity, storytelling or behind-the-scenes learning, we aim to inspire young people to imagine new futures.
6. Learning, Growth & Long-Term Impact
Our talent and education work contributes directly to long-term cultural growth in Hastings by:
- building creative skills across the community
- empowering young people through hands-on experiences
- supporting artists and practitioners
- creating scalable pathways for future annual programming
- developing a culture of participation, not just observation
- strengthening the creative economy of the town
We see HB2026 not just as a series of events, but as the foundation for ongoing cultural development through learning, creativity and shared experience
