The Roundhouse has announced that it has now engaged with 100,000 young people through its youth programme since reopening as a youth charity in 2006.
The milestone marks the start of a year of celebration, recognising 20 years since the Roundhouse reopened as a multi-arts performance venue with youth work at its core.
Based in Camden, the Roundhouse has established itself as a key force in nurturing diverse creative talent while hosting world-class live music, theatre and performance.
The announcement comes at a challenging time for young people, with youth unemployment in London at 16.7 per cent and youth service spending in England cut by 73 per cent in real terms since 2010.
Now reaching more than 10,000 young people every year, the Roundhouse youth programme offers affordable opportunities across music, filmmaking, theatre and other creative disciplines.
At the same time, the venue welcomes over 400,000 audience members annually to its live performance programme.
Over the past two decades, young people have spent 30,000 hours using the Roundhouse Creative Studios, and the organisation has provided 3,000 performance opportunities for emerging artists.
The youth programme has helped launch the careers of artists including Daniel Kaluuya, Little Simz and Jack Rooke.
Alongside its youth work, the Roundhouse has spent 20 years shaping the UK’s cultural landscape, presenting music, theatre, circus, poetry and immersive installations.
Looking ahead, 2026 will see the return of the Roundhouse Three Sixty Festival this April, with artists including Kae Tempest, Amaarae and Imogen Heap appearing alongside emerging young creatives.
The year also marks a leadership transition, with CEO and Artistic Director Marcus Davey CBE set to depart after 27 years, and Jenny Mollica joining as CEO from English National Opera.
Marcus Davey said: “Over the last 20 years, the Roundhouse has launched the careers of some of the most exciting artists working today, through our pioneering artistic programme and the epic gigs we host. Just as important to me, though, are the stories of young people who have come to us at challenging moments in their lives, and how our creative programmes have helped them find the right path, not just creatively, but in life. From world-class live music and performing arts to our youth work, the impact of what we do at the Roundhouse is vital.”
Imogen Heap said: “The Roundhouse is an amazing place, which has always allowed me to do something different as an artist. And it’s not just artists like me, I love that this place gives young people the space, tools and belief to find their voice. Reaching 100,000 young people feels like proof of what’s possible when creativity is trusted.”
Jack Rooke said: “All of my earliest work began at the Roundhouse, since I was a year 11 student taking two tubes and a bus to get there. The Roundhouse is a place that allows you to experiment, whether as a young person trying out loads of different creative projects, or in the Main Space as an established artist. In the age of social media, where everything can feel like a numbers game all of the time, the Roundhouse ethos of safe, creative exploration is so important.”
Kenya Juma, a Roundhouse young person, said: “The Roundhouse in a way has become a second home for me. It’s a space where I can come, whether it’s for poetry, film, music, whatever kind of form or medium, where I can come and I can be my best self, create work that’s impactful, and be supported by people that genuinely care.”
Every pound spent at the venue directly supports the Roundhouse’s creative youth programme, with donations helping to fund opportunities for the next generation.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
