LONDON.- Roundhouse today announces the opening of a new creative centre, Roundhouse Works, which will be unveiled to the public next spring 2023. Roundhouse Works is the latest addition to Roundhouse's creative campus for young people.
Alongside Roundhouse Studios, it will double the capacity of the current site to support 15,000 young people. The new creative centre will help uncover new, diverse creative voices and empower the next generation of young creative entrepreneurs.
For over 15 years, Roundhouse has been at the helm of providing creative opportunities, space and mentorship for young people in Camden and beyond to pursue a career in the creative industries. They have worked with tens of thousands of young people, supporting the creative development of many including the likes of Daniel Kaluuya, Little Simz and Jack Rooke.
The launch of Roundhouse Works will extend Roundhouse’s reach to a wider age bracket of young people – 11–30-year-olds – who continue to face challenges and barriers to entry to the sector, particularly following the impact of COVID-19.
As the cost-of-living crisis in the UK intensifies, youth unemployment is forecast to rise - under 25s currently account for three in five jobs lost . Despite this, the creative industries have rebounded quicker than the rest of the UK economy . Roundhouse Works will therefore open at a time when creativity is more important than ever, equipping young people with the skills they need for the economy of the future. In addition to providing access to creative opportunities, the Roundhouse also offers financial and pastoral assistance through their dedicated team of trained on-site youth workers and staff.
With principal support from the Inflexion Foundation, Roundhouse Works will include three large rehearsal spaces for young theatre makers, musicians, film makers, circus and performance artists plus a dedicated podcast studio run by Transmission Roundhouse.
The new Roundhouse Works will also include an affordable workspace for creative entrepreneurs and freelancers. Members of Roundhouse Works will be provided with one-to-one mentorship with industry experts and have access to a series of networking events and workshops which have been piloted over the past three years with partners including Taylor Wessing. Roundhouse has also launched its flagship Self Made Accelerator programme, successful applicants of which have access to the new Roundhouse Works workspace in 2023.
The building was designed by architect Patrick Dillon and Reed Watts Architects, to BREEAM Excellent standard (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), this will put its environmental performance in the top 10% of all new non-domestic buildings in the UK. It will also be fully accessible and will include a Space for Change facility.
Marcus Davey, Chief Executive and Artistic Director at Roundhouse said: “The opening of Roundhouse Works is an exciting step forward in the Roundhouse’s mission to raise the UK’s creative potential. For decades we have been working with young people from all backgrounds, supporting them as they explore creativity and develop skills to help them thrive in the future world. Roundhouse Works will significantly increase the impact of this work, allowing us to reach more young people and provide even more opportunities for them.”
Georgia Attlesey, Roundhouse Accelerator Alumnus and Founder of Pudding said: "The Roundhouse made all the difference to my creative business just when I needed it most. Alongside providing a network of ambitious peers, space to work and access to training, the mentoring I received catalysed both my ambition and my approach. The counsel I was given on intellectual property from Taylor Wessing professionalised my business and safeguarded its future. Roundhouse Works will create space for many more creative individuals to develop their businesses, be curious, and erode the false binary between creativity and entrepreneurialism. I can’t wait to meet with the brilliant folk that come out of those doors."
Oriana Jemide, Young Trustee at Roundhouse and Founder of The Madela School said: “The Self-Made Accelerator Programme really made me think about my business and how I could make a living from my work. Having a dedicated space for this at Roundhouse Works will be an amazing opportunity to connect with other young creatives, to discuss and exchange ideas and share experiences.”
Most people know Roundhouse as a vibrant music and performance venue, but the heart of the space is our work with young people. Each year, thousands of 11-25 year-olds benefit from our studio spaces, workshops, courses and creative opportunities across music, media, performance, freelance creative entrepreneurship and more.
Creativity is being crowded out of our daily lives and out of the school curriculum. Yet creativity is needed and valued more than ever in the workplace, in the economy and in society. It’s creative skills, more than any other, that will give us the flexibility to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the future. That's why we're committed to ensuring that everyone in the UK feels the creative industries are for them. Roundhouse is on a mission to raise the UK’s creative potential. We want more creativity everywhere, for everyone, and in all its forms.
