The Saatchi Gallery has joined forces with Centrepoint, the UK’s leading charity for homeless young people, to become its new Cultural Partner and launch an exciting collaborative project, Studio Saatchi. Studio Saatchi is an arts engagement programme for young people aged 16-25 experiencing homelessness or social exclusion. Through the exploration of various universal art forms such as visual art, film, music and spoken word, the project will support young people to develop creative skills and confidence.
Social exclusion covers a diverse range of experiences such as mental health issues, substance abuse issues or a criminal conviction – all experiences which can make it more difficult to integrate and succeed in society. The programme will be delivered in six-month cycles with a new cohort of participants being given the opportunity to explore their talents with support from exceptional facilitators from across the art world, culminating in an evening event called ‘Studio Saatchi Late’, the first of which is on 12th September.
Artist facilitators include Sam Hayes, Henry Blake and Adam Kammerling who will navigate and inspire the selected finalists to create their own works of art. Artists Heath Kane and Pure Evil Gallery are also supporting the programme as Ambassadors, to further inspire participants and encourage more artists to get involved.
Each cycle culminates with an arts exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery where participants can showcase their work to a wider audience and tell their journey and experiences through their final pieces. Studio Saatchi Late will be a series of free ticketed events. The first ten week programme launched on 11th July and free tickets are available via Eventbrite for the first Studio Saatchi Late on 12th September. The event will run from 6.30-10.00pm and will include complimentary drinks from North London based brewery The Goodness Brewing Company and Freestar, who will provide a non-alcoholic beer option. Food will be served by legendary London street food collective KERB. Studio Saatchi was born out of a joint belief that everyone has the capacity to positively transform the way they see themselves, giving them the confidence they need to set and achieve life-changing personal goals. The programme takes the dynamic expertise of the Saatchi Gallery and combines it with Centrepoint’s track record in supporting young people to achieve their aspirations, to deliver a unique opportunity for disadvantaged young people.
Phillipa Adams, Director of the Saatchi Gallery, says: “This is such an exciting project and we are thrilled to have partnered with Centrepoint to deliver Studio Saatchi. The Saatchi Gallery prides itself on supporting young emerging talent so to be able to play a part in uncovering the creative potential of these participants is an exciting prospect and I very much look forward to following the journey of everyone involved.” Gareth Parker, Head of Engagement at Centrepoint, says: “Being able to expand Centrepoint’s engagement programme and offer participants access to the creative industries is really exciting. The young people we’re working with rarely have an opportunity to engage with different art forms and explore their creative talents, so by partnering with Saatchi Gallery we‘re giving them the chance to uncover and nurture that passion.
The first cycle is well underway, and we can’t wait to see the artwork the participants have created and showcased at the Saatchi Gallery Late this September.”