Sir Mark Rylance, Narinder Sagoo MBE, Senior Partner and Art Director at Foster + Partners, and Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, have teamed-up to help Intermission Youth find and co-design a new space, and develop a business plan for their future.
Intermission Youth is an extraordinary charity that transforms the lives of young people through Shakespeare. From 2008 to 2019, St Saviours Church in Knightsbridge provided a performance venue, rehearsal studio, and social meeting point for the charity. Since losing this space, Intermission Youth has been sharing a space at Greencoat, Arcola Theatre, XLP in the City of London. However, this is unsuitable for delivering the full Intermission Youth experience.
Through a series of workshops with the charity, Foster + Partners and Sir Mark Rylance have provided support to plan and draw up a brief for Intermission Youth’s new home. Expressions of interest are currently being sought from developers, property managers, leasing agents, landlords and local authorities to find a space that will meet the charity’s needs. The team is looking for approximately 750 sqm to house a #nextgen theatre hub that will create a positive, safe haven to nurture talent and creativity. The new performance space will also enliven the local area and serve the community, producing new training and employment opportunities, nurturing new skills, and adding social value. Intermission works with young people across London and would reach deep into any community where the charity is housed.
Narinder Sagoo MBE, Senior Partner and Art Director, Foster + Partners: “Helping to design a space which will bring hope and joy to so many young people who have become disenfranchised and excluded from society has been an unimaginable pleasure and privilege. Watching these hugely talented people has been so inspiring, we are very much looking forward to bringing their dreams to life in their new home.”
Sir Mark Rylance: "The new life force in British theatre and film will emerge from the unheard, the unseen, the incarcerated and excluded. For over fifteen years Intermission Youth has provided a creative sanctuary for these artistic youth. It saves lives and transforms the spirit of young people. It provides hope, family, community and vital tools of expression and creativity. It fosters self-respect. A Foster + Partners designed Youth Sanctuary will be a joyous contribution to any existing community or new building. Please come on board and help us find a home for this remarkable work."
Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “Intermission Youth is a true exemplar and over the past 15 years has transformed the lives of young Londoners. To continue this vital work they need a dedicated space - a home to help them to cultivate the next generation of artists and creatives for years to come. The Mayor and I are proud to be supporting them and invite you to join them on their extraordinary journey as we build a fairer and better London for all.”
Darren Raymond: “There aren’t many art spaces in London (if any) conceived by young people from marginalised backgrounds and I think it is important this starts to happen, if we really want to make impactful changes. Being a part of this is not only about housing Intermission Youth, but also about equity, reparations and moving into a more inclusive society.”
