This education programme was designed in collaboration with the Grimshaw Foundation and the Royal Albert Hall, bringing together young people from 8 state schools to work with 80 volunteers from 10 different organisations and the Royal Albert Hall associate artists; Anna Lapwood, Corey Baker, Jess Gillam and LionHeart.

The overarching aim was to transform young people’s understanding of creativity and creative careers, with each student receiving over 20 learning hours. Launching with an immersive and exploratory day at the Royal Albert Hall, students explored the design of performances through workshops with the Associate Artists and a RAH lighting specialist, a tour, an organ performance by Anna Lapwood and creation of their own collective performances in a space many had not visited before.  

Each school designed a performance installation inspired by one of the Royal Albert Hall associate artists, throughout 32 creative co-design workshops (4 per school). Students collaboratively researched their artist, created a design brief, developed their design through 1:1 material exploration and model making, and created forms for their installation including convex textured panels inspired by acoustic principles.

The project culminated in a big build day on the Royal Albert Hall gallery. In 2 hours, 160 students constructed 8 different installations, each transforming the same co-create kit of recyclable materials. The kit incorporated cardboard tubes and boxes with bespoke laser cut parts and dry fixings, with step-by-step films and sequence guides to explain assembly.

Students presented their designs to their peers and an expert panel of creatives, celebrating their newfound making and problem solving skills, alongside their knowledge of the interdisciplinary professions of dance, music, architecture and design.