3 SUGAR HOUSE LANE The UK’s first Talent House for Urban Culture
Kele Le Roc - Photo by Alexis Maryon
A pioneering music and dance hub for the young people of east London
WELCOME
East London Dance and Urban Development are committed to tackling inequality in our communities. Potential is everywhere but opportunity is not. Through inspirational dance and music programmes, we create opportunities for young people experiencing disadvantage, to realise their full potential. Some will find new confidence and improve their wellbeing. Others will develop their talent, skills and experience to become the next generation of artists and creative entrepreneurs. As Chairs, we have the pleasure of seeing the life-changing impact of our work. From
Moira Sinclair Chair, East London Dance
launching careers to supporting young people to achieve qualifications, from diverting some away from crime, to uniting communities, our work transforms lives. Building on our 20-year history of collaboration, a like-minded approach and shared values, we now have the opportunity to establish a purpose-built space that will meet the growing demand from our burgeoning communities of young people, artists and local residents. We are delighted to share our plans with you and invite you to join us in creating the UK’s first Talent House for Urban Culture.
Baron Victor Adebowale CBE Chair, Urban Development
Photo by Philippa Gedge
East Wall - Photo ŠHistoric Royal Palaces & Richard Lea-Hair
WHY
Jammer - Photo by Alexis Maryon
Youth unemployment and health and education inequalities are prevalent in our locality
East Londoners are left behind by regeneration
Under-representation in the creative industries
Artists need quality affordable workspace
East London’s unemployment rate is 11% (national average 8%) and it has the UK’s highest youth unemployment levels. Newham is one of London’s least active boroughs, with over a third of the population physically inactive. Social isolation in London’s young people leads to poor levels of mental wellbeing, with 50% of lifetime mental illness starting by the age of 14.
Over 3,000 jobs will be created by the new arts and cultural organisations moving to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and surrounding area over the next five years. Yet 32% of east London’s children still come from a home without work and only 1.8% of local people are employed in the creative industries in Newham.
Support and opportunities for emerging artists and young professionals from diverse east London communities are significantly lagging, with little representation in today’s creative workforce for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (12%), disabled (5%) and working class (18%) employees.
There is a significant lack of affordable quality, fit-for-purpose creative workspace across London which currently limits the ability for the artists we support to create new work. 24% of current artists’ workspaces in London risk closure within 5 years.
“This building will provide access to arts and culture, one of the most effective ways of engaging and connecting people and challenging deep-rooted social issues”
“This building will allow us to reach and equip even more young people with the skills and experience to make the most of the opportunities that are coming”
“Over 50% of the artists we support are from BAME backgrounds. This building will provide greater accessibility to the creative industries for even more talented but under-represented artists”
“This building will provide the space and time to enable early career and more established artists to connect with each other, be inspired and create”
“ This building sounds like somewhere that I will want to go” “There are so many new buildings arriving in my neighbourhood but I don’t feel welcome in any of them. This building sounds like somewhere that I will want to go – and will give me a chance to meet professionals and follow my dream of becoming a dancer.” EAST LONDON DANCE YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
“A space to meet, connect, rehearse, create & build a team” “There is so much talent coming out of the UK but not enough spaces for young people to experiment and develop before they are swept up in success. Having a space to meet, connect, rehearse, create and build a team are integral to every creative’s development, especially for those making music outside of mainstream music education.”
Amaria - Photo by Alexis Maryon
Rugged Estate - Photo by Camilla Greenwell
AMAHLA, SINGER SONGWRITER AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ALUMNA
WORKING TOGETHER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Individually we already have a huge impact on our communities, but by coming together under one roof, we can collaborate to offer a joined-up programme to create even more opportunities for young people:
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Schools projects and outreach programmes for 11-18 year olds, focusing on social skills and wellbeing.
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Youth and community engagement that includes evening, weekend and holiday classes in music, dance and body conditioning.
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Post-18 training and education in partnership with further and higher education institutions, offering accredited and non-accredited courses.
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Employment support, creative development and business incubation opportunities.
Photo by Alexis Maryon
East London Dance and Urban Development respond to popular urban culture and underground street styles to create an offer that is genuinely attractive and relevant to the lives of young people experiencing disadvantage. We have an extensive track record of working with young people, outside traditional training routes, particularly those not in employment, education or training.
“ It’s vital that we invest in the next generation of creative talent”
“London is a global cultural capital, generating £52 billion for our economy each year and growing fast. At the heart of this success is our creative workforce, so it’s vital that we invest in the next generation of creative talent.
JUSTINE SIMONS OBE DEPUTY MAYOR FOR CULTURE AND THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
RoxXxan - Photo by Alexis Maryon
Photo by Michelle Marshall
East London Dance and Urban Development’s Talent House for Urban Culture will support young Londoners from all backgrounds to pursue a career in the arts. Together with East Bank in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and English National Ballet’s new home in Canning Town, this will establish east London as an exciting cultural powerhouse.”
3 SUGAR HOUSE LANE The new building on Sugar House Island in Stratford is part of a new mixed-use neighbourhood led by developers Vastint UK. It will include 1,200 new homes, offices, restaurants & bars, a hotel, a school and community facilities. Within walking distance of Stratford Town Centre and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 3 Sugar House Lane will be an important bridge between local young people and the newly arriving cultural and education institutions.
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1. 3 Sugar House Lane
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3. Stratford Cultural Quarter
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Five music production/recording studios, a live room, two vocal booths A large flexible teaching/rehearsal/sharing space and a mac/tech lab with 20 workstations for music education
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Dance studios: one large studio and one smaller flexible space for seminars, small groups and body-conditioning work
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A shared area for building users and members, including a canteen and hot-desking space
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Shared open plan offices, meeting rooms, storage
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A long-let office for a resident dance company and co-working area for music professionals
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The central atrium is our main reception and can be used for informal gigs and dance jams
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The fit-out, designed by award-winning architect Katy Marks of Citizens Design Bureau, and professional facilities, including digital broadcast capability throughout, will lift the aspirations of all who use the building.
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Our vision is to create a pioneering music and dance hub for the young people of east London
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WHAT WILL SUCCESS LOOK LIKE? Photo by Rianna Tamara
Independent artists will access free or affordable workspace
Young people’s voices will be at the heart of decision making and programming in the building
Young Londoners experiencing disadvantage will receive free or low-cost training, achieve accreditation and secure employment in the creative industries
Equality of access for people from disadvantaged and under-represented backgrounds
Work created at 3 Sugar House Lane will reach large and diverse audiences
2,100
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4,000
12,000
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hours of free access to workspace per year will be offered.
young people will contribute through our Youth Advisory Board and Board Buddying Scheme alongside ongoing community consultation.
young people per year will develop their skills, confidence and aspirations.
750
emerging professionals per year will be supported into creative employment or further training.
people per year will take part in activity at 3 Sugar House Lane - the majority from diverse and lower socio-economic backgrounds.
new audiences and hundreds of thousands more digitally will be reached each year by artists creating work in the space.
“ You become like a small family ” “You meet new people, make new friends and also build up your dance techniques together, you become like a small family. And you build up your social skills too, because sometimes there might be someone who is shy, or not sociable, but you can help them come out of their comfort zone and be confident in themselves.” EAST LONDON YOUTH DANCE COMPANY MEMBER, 2019
Photo by Michelle Marshall
“I’ve been a student of Urban Artist School for the past 6 months and it has been one of the most beneficial factors in my career to date. Being given the opportunity to present myself and my work to industry professionals has allowed me to make connections and put me in places I had no idea I’d be in this time last year.” ADRIAN OKEZIE AKA DIGITAL MOZART URBAN ARTIST SCHOOL STUDENT, 2018-19
Digital Mozart - Photo by Alexis Maryon
“ Urban Artist School […] one of the most benefi cial factors in my career”
MY STORY Choreographer and Artistic Director Avant Garde Dance Company “East London Dance has been really important for my early artistic development, and for the development of my company, Avant Garde Dance Company. They have believed in me since 2004 and guided and supported my company, helping me to produce some of my most ambitious work. They were the first organisation that listened to and took my early aspirations seriously. Above all, East London Dance listens.
Photo by Victor Frankowski
Today, Avant Garde Dance Company is an established Arts Council England – National Portfolio Organisation touring in the UK and internationally to critical acclaim. East London Dance’s support and early belief in me, played a key part in that success.”
MY STORY
Urban Music Artist Little Simz attended Urban Development’s Industry Takeover many times, both as a participant and a performer. Her early potential encouraged us to offer her free studio time for after-school writing sessions. This helped to guide her towards a career as a successful rapper, singer and actress. Little Simz is now on her third album and has performed worldwide with the likes of Estelle, Tinie Tempah, Ms. Dynamite, Kano and Gorillaz as well as sold out a recent headline show at 02 Kentish Town. She is currently a lead character in the Netflix drama, Top Boy.
“I just want to say a massive thank you for all the love and support Urban Development and Industry Takeover have given me and other talented artists. I received invaluable support and the opportunity to perform alongside other talented up and coming artists.”
SUPPORT US
“You have my support. Thinking about Amy Winehouse, she wrote some of the songs on her first album when she was 15 years old. Young people need support and access to resources like this, until people like me find them later when their songs are more developed.” DARCUS BEESE OBE, PRESIDENT, ISLAND RECORDS
We need your help to make this building possible on behalf of the communities we serve. We have secured a shell and core deal for a 1088m2 historic warehouse with a modern extension and an atrium joining the two. The derelict warehouse is currently being restored and the new extension has been built. We have secured a 20-year lease subsidised through Vastint’s Section 106 commitments to London Legacy Development Corporation. The fit-out project will cost £3.4million and we have already raised over two-thirds of this. We have come a long way, but we need your help to complete the task. Get in touch today to help us raise the £1million we need to realise the full potential of 3 Sugar House Lane. There are lots of ways you can invest in the future of young people: make a donation, sponsor the project, gift equipment or furniture, volunteer and spread the word through your networks. We would value support at any level. Thank you.
Polly Risbridger Chief Executive & Artistic Director East London Dance
Pamela McCormick Director Urban Development
For further information, please contact: Pauline Redondo Etim Partnerships and Development Manager East London Dance pauline.redondoetim@eastlondondance.org 020 8279 1044
Urban Development Board
Moira Sinclair (Chair), Chief Executive, Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Baron Adebowale CBE (Chair), Cross Bench Member of the House of Lords
Graham Ambrose, Managing Director, Securities Division, Goldman Sachs International
Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, Co-Founder and Head Stemette, Stemettes
Jairaj Amin, Founding Partner of Bruton Capital LLP
Andrew Missingham, Business Management Consultant and Co-Founder, B&A
Jane Hackett, Project Director, Civic Role of Arts Organisations, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK) Fionnuala Hogan, MD, Goldacre; co-founder RElab; Independent business consultant
Austin Daboh, Head of Editorial for UK & Ireland, Apple Music David Krap, Head of Northern Europe M&A, Credit Suisse
Photo by Victor Frankowski
East London Dance Board
Laura Jones, Head of Talent Development at Stopgap Dance Company Nikhil Shah, Co-founder, Mixcloud
Photo by Alexis Maryon
Paul Woodmansey, Director of PR, Amazon Prime Video & Amazon Music
urbandevelopment.co.uk
East London Dance is a Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1053735
The Urban Development Music Foundation is a Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1149090
1000 Pieces Puzzle - Photo by Carmen Klammer
eastlondondance.org