CRE8FEST26 – A Successful Year in Creative Collaborations

The festival highlighted the outstanding achievements of our students, with exhibitions showcasing work from Hair and Beauty, Music, Art, Media, Esports, Digital & Computing, and Performing Arts. Staff, students, families and visitors enjoyed the opportunity to experience the creativity, skill and innovation on display throughout the event. CRE8FEST26 2026 saw some cross-departmental collaborations that we had not previously seen, including Art and Design working alongside Theatrical Make-up students for the Photography pathway, which, in turn, gave Theatrical Make-up students classic, vivid and stunning images for their portfolios.

CRE8FEST26 got underway with a vibrant three-day Art & Design Exhibition, launched by an evening private view welcoming relatives, carers and friends of students from the Art & Design and Media, Esports & Games Design pathways.

The private showcase proved to be a resounding success, attracting more than 100 guests and transforming the Art block into a lively hub of creativity and celebration. Visitors had the opportunity to explore an impressive range of student work, highlighting the talent, innovation and dedication developed throughout the academic year.

This year's exhibition also featured student-produced video projects documenting their creative journeys. Fashion student Megan showcased an outfit she had designed and made, accompanied by a video project that captured the garment in various settings to demonstrate its versatility and inspiration. Meanwhile, Mimi presented a striking black-and-white film featuring a handcrafted hat, perfectly complementing the vintage aesthetic and film-grain style inspired by 1920s England.

The opening exhibition set an inspiring tone for CRE8FEST26, celebrating students' creativity, technical skills and artistic development while giving family, friends and supporters the opportunity to share in their achievements.

Additionally, at the very core of CRE8FEST26 is the college's annual Awards Evening – a key moment in the festival and a celebration of student success. Each year, employers, industry partners, alumni and key stakeholders generously join us to recognise the outstanding achievements of our students.

Together with parents, families and staff, they help create a memorable evening that celebrates not only exceptional talent and achievement, but also the dedication, resilience and ambition that have shaped each student's journey.

The three-day festival came to a conclusion with the Level 3 Media Awards and the Staff Annual Awards. The date is already set for the next instalment, so keep your diaries free for Tuesday, 22nd June next year!

CRE8FEST26 always celebrates the creativity, talent and industry-ready skills of Bournemouth and Poole College students across the Creative, Digital, Technology and Service Industries. Through exhibitions and performances, the festival showcased outstanding student achievement and innovation. It also provided valuable opportunities for students to collaborate with employers and industry partners. Above all, CRE8FEST26 demonstrated the college's commitment to preparing students for successful careers.