How to Host an Event in 5 Steps

The YouthMADE Festival creates an inclusive platform for students, educators, and advocates all over the world to showcase youth creativity and innovation. As a participant, you can host and join events in the settings and time zones that work best for you.

The YouthMADE team is here to support you by providing guidance on hosting your event and materials you can use to promote your event in your community. We’ve outlined steps below to help you get started.

Step 1: Consider what student work to showcase

Student work includes any student-led efforts in making, activism/advocacy, art or design. Students can showcase work that is already completed or still in progress. Consider showcasing projects that are at a stage where students can discuss what they are learning or have learned through working on the project.

Step 2: Consider how you want to showcase student work

You can host a virtual or in-person event. Below are a few ideas of events you could host virtually or in-person:

Showcase or exhibition
Panel or roundtable discussion
Flash talk or demonstration
Community gathering or school assembly
Social media event (such as a livestream or Ask Me Anything)

These are just a few ideas. You are free to create the event that best suits you and students.

If you are hosting a virtual event, make sure to host the event on a platform that you are comfortable with. If you need help choosing a platform, use our curated list of platforms for virtual events.

Step 3: Attend a YouthMADE Festival Info Session

Attend a YouthMADE Festival info session to learn more about sharing an event/content for the Festival, applying for an Amplify Grant, and nominating students for a YouthMADE Festival Community Award.

Step 4: Enter the details of your event into the YouthMADE Directory

Use the sign-up form on the YouthMADE homepage to enter your event information in the directory. Required information includes:

The title and description of the event
The location and day/time of your event (in your time zone)
A link to how people can access your event (if it is online and publicly accessible)

Review our list of virtual platforms to consider platforms you could use to host your event.

If you are hosting an event in person, please indicate if the event is open to the public.

Please note that you must be 18 years old or older to enter information into the directory. If you are under 18 years old, please ask a parent, guardian, educator or mentor age 18 or older to complete the form on your behalf.

Step 5: Invite your community to your event

Use our outreach guide and templates in our design kit to connect with your community and reach out to local media about your event.