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All the Southbank tribes need space – including skateboarders All the Southbank tribes need space – including skateboarders
(3 months later)
I was at Wormwood Scrubs prison in London on Thursday as a judge for the Koestler awards, which support art by offenders. And every year at Southbank Centre we give exhibition space to art by people who want to be seen and heard and express who they are. That's part of our job as an arts centre.I was at Wormwood Scrubs prison in London on Thursday as a judge for the Koestler awards, which support art by offenders. And every year at Southbank Centre we give exhibition space to art by people who want to be seen and heard and express who they are. That's part of our job as an arts centre.
Our challenge at the centre is not attracting audiences, it's finding enough space to ensure that all communities can find a welcome here. In particular, no child or young person must feel that they have no opportunity to realise their potential. We will do everything we can to provide a chance for them.Our challenge at the centre is not attracting audiences, it's finding enough space to ensure that all communities can find a welcome here. In particular, no child or young person must feel that they have no opportunity to realise their potential. We will do everything we can to provide a chance for them.
Anyone who comes here knows the centre is full of people – not just watching other people performing but doing things themselves, morning through to midnight. Anyone who comes here comments on the atmosphere of warmth and community involvement. Where else can you bring your own food, drink and family, staff team, hobby club or dance troupe and never be disturbed?Anyone who comes here knows the centre is full of people – not just watching other people performing but doing things themselves, morning through to midnight. Anyone who comes here comments on the atmosphere of warmth and community involvement. Where else can you bring your own food, drink and family, staff team, hobby club or dance troupe and never be disturbed?
Anyone who comes also talks about the free work we do all the time for all ages. We try with flags, gardens, beaches and fountains, giant foxes, maypoles and topiary statues, to delight and encourage everyone to feel part of this vast, important site.Anyone who comes also talks about the free work we do all the time for all ages. We try with flags, gardens, beaches and fountains, giant foxes, maypoles and topiary statues, to delight and encourage everyone to feel part of this vast, important site.
Why? Because our history started with the extraordinary Festival of Britain, where the war artist motto "the propaganda of the imagination" became a call to arms for culture to belong to everyone and be created by everyone. That's what we are trying to do at the centre … excellence and egalitarianism walking side by side, emblematic of the society we crave where people are not intimidated by artistic expression and where many "tribes" co-exist and enjoy one another's ideas.Why? Because our history started with the extraordinary Festival of Britain, where the war artist motto "the propaganda of the imagination" became a call to arms for culture to belong to everyone and be created by everyone. That's what we are trying to do at the centre … excellence and egalitarianism walking side by side, emblematic of the society we crave where people are not intimidated by artistic expression and where many "tribes" co-exist and enjoy one another's ideas.
We fervently believe that we have an absolute duty to take every part of our site – indoors and outdoors – and find the best way of using it.We fervently believe that we have an absolute duty to take every part of our site – indoors and outdoors – and find the best way of using it.
First, we must repair the 1960s buildings and make them fit for the next 50 years.First, we must repair the 1960s buildings and make them fit for the next 50 years.
Second, we need to listen to the dreams of the next generation and of the people whose voices are marginalised, and give them space and facilities that they have never had. A children and family centre; a youth hub; artists of all kinds to run a mini-centre with an apprentice scheme; formal and informal education spaces for schools; music rehearsal space for orchestras and bands; and the first poetry and literature centre of major scale in London. All this will allow 150,000 to 200,000 young people to be part of what we do.Second, we need to listen to the dreams of the next generation and of the people whose voices are marginalised, and give them space and facilities that they have never had. A children and family centre; a youth hub; artists of all kinds to run a mini-centre with an apprentice scheme; formal and informal education spaces for schools; music rehearsal space for orchestras and bands; and the first poetry and literature centre of major scale in London. All this will allow 150,000 to 200,000 young people to be part of what we do.
Critics of our scheme to refurbish our Festival Wing – Queen Elizabeth Hall, Hayward Gallery and Purcell Room – have made a cause celebre of its impact on one of our tribes: skateboarders. But ours is a site with many tribes. Some are highly visible and audible, such as the skateboarders, and we are listening to them and their supporters. Others don't have a voice, and may not even be aware that they belong to a tribe that could possibly have a voice.Critics of our scheme to refurbish our Festival Wing – Queen Elizabeth Hall, Hayward Gallery and Purcell Room – have made a cause celebre of its impact on one of our tribes: skateboarders. But ours is a site with many tribes. Some are highly visible and audible, such as the skateboarders, and we are listening to them and their supporters. Others don't have a voice, and may not even be aware that they belong to a tribe that could possibly have a voice.
In tough times we need to strike a balance between philosophical and financial needs. We need to find a way through for everyone. Our plans for the refurbishment of the Festival Wing need to be understood in that context. If we have asked for more space, it is because we have people – adults and children – who need that space to create culture, understand themselves, and shape the trajectory of their lives.In tough times we need to strike a balance between philosophical and financial needs. We need to find a way through for everyone. Our plans for the refurbishment of the Festival Wing need to be understood in that context. If we have asked for more space, it is because we have people – adults and children – who need that space to create culture, understand themselves, and shape the trajectory of their lives.
Is this discretionary activity in an era of high youth unemployment, of decreasing social mobility? Is it wrong for a charity to need money to achieve its objectives? I didn't feel this in Wormwood Scrubs on Thursday morning, and nor did I in that room crowded with young festival makers.Is this discretionary activity in an era of high youth unemployment, of decreasing social mobility? Is it wrong for a charity to need money to achieve its objectives? I didn't feel this in Wormwood Scrubs on Thursday morning, and nor did I in that room crowded with young festival makers.
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