Portfolio is a free, creative programme to help young people develop digital and artistic skills, build professional portfolios and gain pathways into the creative industries.

In 2026, twenty young creatives from Redbridge took part in a series of masterclasses, workshops and industry visits, taking a major step towards careers in the creative industries. The Portfolio Showcase gave them an opportunity to publicly showcase their original work for the first time.

You can see the impressive range of work via the Portfolio Showcase online exhibition.

Visit the Portfolio Showcase website

The 2026 programme involved a number of influential and established creative organisations, including BBC Music, V&A East, Tate and Space Studios, providing participants with valuable opportunities to share their work with people working across the creative sector.

The programme was designed by a group of young people from Redbridge called Future Producers and is supported by local creative success stories Mawaan Rizwan, BAFTA-winning actor, comedian and presenter, and LESiA, rapper and former Rap Game UK finalist.

In 2026, participants took part in masterclasses led by established creatives:

• Almass Badat, DJing. BBC Asian Network resident DJ and established performer, with appearances including Glastonbury and SXSW Austin.
• Compiler, Concept Art. Digital art collective led by Tanya Boyarkina and Oscar Cass-Darweish, whose work explores social and political challenges within digital culture and has included collaborations with the V&A.
• Jeremy Ngatho Cole, Filmmaking. Award-winning filmmaker, creative director and artist whose work includes collaborations with Jorja Smith, Ezra Collective and Little Simz.
• Kareem Abdul, Photography. London-based photographer and moving-image artist whose clients include Adidas, Vogue Scandinavia and G-Shock.
• True Cadence, Music Production. Multi-award-winning social music enterprise based in Barking and Dagenham, supporting emerging musicians to develop their skills and become industry-ready.

The programme also included industry visits to BBC Music and V&A East, giving participants first-hand experience of professional creative environments and a greater understanding of the opportunities available within the sector.

Portfolio is supported by A New Direction and Foundation for Future London, with additional funding from Redbridge Neighbourhood CIL.

We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who helped shape and support the programme.