Artists of the Future is a youth-focused community arts platform developed by Therme Art. The first iteration of the project was launched at Manchester Art Fair 2025 in partnership with Therme Manchester as part of their wider social value strategy to platform emerging creative voices in Greater Manchester. Through drawing workshops led by Gorse Hill Studios, a Trafford-based youth arts charity, young people explored their creativity and reflected on their relationship with art, nature, and wellbeing. With the initiative continuing in schools and youth centres across Salford and Trafford, young creatives took part in a drawing competition for the chance to have their artwork featured in a major public installation, to be unveiled in late March 2026. The project contributes to Therme Art’s ongoing educational programming and community outreach initiatives.

22 artworks were selected to transform the construction hoardings surrounding the development site of Therme Manchester—the UK’s first urban wellbeing resort at TraffordCity, scheduled to open in late 2028—into a vibrant outdoor exhibition. The winning young artists—Elif, Zeynep, Levi, Yusuf, Mason, Maddison, Willow, Ariaanaz, Cayden, Alaina, Nell, Jessica, Hayden, Bobby, Lochlann, Farrah, Harry, Lottie, Abdulmalik, Georgia, Piranith, and Esom—impressed the judges with imaginative responses to themes central to Therme’s global ethos: nature, water, fun, and wellbeing. Their designs will be reproduced at scale and installed along the site’s perimeter, showcasing local creative talent and community spirit at the upcoming Therme Manchester destination during construction.

The competition was created to engage young people with this major local development and provide a meaningful platform for emerging creative voices. It forms part of Therme Manchester’s wider social value strategy, delivered in partnership with Trafford Council and Salford City Council, to ensure lasting local impact linked to the development.

The judging panel comprised renowned street artist AKSE-P19, whose murals have become defining cultural landmarks across Greater Manchester and beyond; Manchester-based multidisciplinary artist Helena Worthington; and Roksanna Ciurysek-Gedir, a member of Therme Group’s Board of Directors.

Schools that took part in the competition include Barton Clough Primary School and St Monica’s Primary School in Trafford, along with Holy Cross & All Saints RC Primary School, Lewis Street Primary School, Beech Street Community Primary School, St Gilbert’s Primary School, Westwood Park Community Primary School, and Arbour Academy Secondary School in Salford. Arts Let Loose CIC, an accessible, community-led creative space in Swinton, also participated in the project.

The competition culminated in a celebration event on Sunday, 22 February, at Gorse Hill Studios, where participants showcased their ideas and learned how their creativity could shape a major development in their area. The event recognised the contributions of every young person involved and reinforced the importance of giving local students a voice in the future of their community. The competition winners were entered into a raffle for the chance to win a family trip to Therme Bucharest in spring 2026.