“Three years of pioneering residency at Acland Burghley have made the strongest case for the renovation of the assembly hall. We’ve shown how it can be a versatile space to facilitate universal cultural engagement for students, teachers, their families and the broader community.
A renovated hall gives the signal to others about what can and should be achieved when the arts are properly engaged in society and, above all, in the lives of young people.”
CRISPIN WOODHEAD, CEO, ORCHESTRA OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
COMMUNITY-LED MANAGEMENT BOARD
Throughout the current Development Phase, plans for the hall are being driven by our Community-Led Management Board. We have thirteen groups represented, ranging from Camden’s Youth Service, the Somali Youth Development Resource Centre and the theatre company The Upsetters as well as local residents and heritage partners.
In February’s meeting the group took part in a carousel discussion, advising on our approach to heritage, community and business planning. In April a number of members wrote poems and prose for the Hall for All event. In May’s meeting members discussed MoBA’s interpretation approach and worked on the Activity Plan that will be submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Heritage Partners: MUSEUM OF BRUTALIST ARCHITECTURE
A very exciting part of our plans is the creation of a Museum of Brutalist Architecture (MoBA) in partnership with our young people and
the architectural activists and educators, Urban Learners.
There is a huge gap when it comes to recognising the cultural contribution that Brutalist architecture has made to architectural history in the UK, and MoBA will be the perfect way of filling it.
The on-site museum will increase local awareness and pride in the school’s Brutalist heritage, expanding the principles of community and inclusiveness and explaining how Brutalism positively impacted on education for the post-war local community.
Cultural Partners: ORCHESTRA OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
In autumn 2020, we welcomed the internationally renowned Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) to the school as residents – and they have become hugely supportive partners in the Hall for All project.
The orchestra is working closely with students, and runs the Dreamchasing Young Producers club who host “Live at the Hex” music events which are well attended by the community.
In January, a group of our pupils joined 191 young people from other local schools to perform a specially commissioned adaptation of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen with the OAE at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Supporters: Yahire
Thanks to Yahire, who have kindly donated event furniture for Hall for All events – Yahire are a North London-based company that specialises in providing event furniture hire and catering equipment hire for all types of events.
Please visit the yahire website for details.