London’s Roundhouse has launched its Next Generation Campaign to build new studios and create a Centre for Creative & Digital Entrepreneurs.
The campaign will raise £15 million for a new building, allowing Roundhouse to expand its programme to reach over 10,000 young people – including hard-to-reach young people and those with fewer opportunities – annually within five years. The arts centre and creative hub currently reaches 4,500 young people per year, an increase of more than a third in less than two years. This has placed pressure on the physical capacity of the existing Paul Hamlyn Roundhouse Studios and on the number of creative projects the venue can deliver.
The new building, which is designed to be fully accessible, comprises:
- Centre for Creative & Digital Entrepreneurs under the age of 30
- Music wing, housing Studios A&B – two new, sound-proofed studios for large ensembles, bands and the Roundhouse Choir, equipped with digital facilities for recording and live broadcast on Transmission Roundhouse (formerly Roundhouse Radio)
- Performing arts wing, housing Studio C – a triple-height studio for experimental theatre, performing arts and professional circus skills progression
- breakout spaces for networking and collaboration
- a year-round outdoor bar for audiences
Matt Hancock, UK Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said:
‘Our nation’s future will be built at the nexus of artistic creativity and technical capability. So the iconic Roundhouse’s ambitious expansion plan is fantastic and will help new talent break through in our booming creative and digital industries. This work will transform thousands of young people’s lives, giving them an incredible opportunity to grow as entrepreneurs and increase diversity within the sectors. I look forward to hearing many success stories from this plan in the future.’
Roundhouse said:
‘We believe through the Next Generation Campaign and by growing our offer, we can create social change. A more diverse creative sector means equal opportunities for all young people without background, economic disadvantage or ethnicity acting as a barrier. Ultimately, this will have a positive impact on our economy to have a diverse sector that better reflects our society.’
Header photo: The Next Generation Campaign will raise £15 million for a new building at London’s Roundhouse
