The Talent House, a new £4.1 million creative hub for Black music and culture has officially opened in Stratford. A combined effort from national youth music organisation UD and East London Dance, the hub will provide free and affordable access to world class facilities for east London’s diverse young talent. Ray BLK will act as the organisations first ambassador, building on her work with UD’s flagship talent development programme Flames Collective.
The five-year project will welcome more than 12,000 people each year, and offers more than 2,100 hours of free access to the building’s facilities for locally-based independent artists. The Talent House’s public programme will be co-curated with young people, artists and local residents.
Launched with funding from Arts Council England and the Greater London Authority, and bringing UD and East London Dance under one roof, The Talent Hub will facilitate collaboration between young people and early career creatives and producers. The initial programme includes new level 4 (Degree Year 1) artist development and music business courses awarded by the University of East London, a subsidised membership scheme for Black music creatives and SME start-ups and a youth access programme.
Pamela McCormick, Founder and CEO, UD says, ‘Over the last 20+ years, UD has seen the potential for excellence in every young person we’ve encountered. Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. We know that the specific training needs demanded of Black music are not met by music education; there is a lack of strategic talent development in Black music, with many artists unable to achieve sustainable careers without subsidised intervention; and, whilst Black music has never been more commercially successful in the UK, only a small percentage of the workforce is from communities experiencing racial inequality or barriers to social mobility. As we move into the Talent House, we are poised to realise the potential that this new state-of-the-art resource can bring to transforming the lives of young people, challenging the outdated traditions of music education, and diversifying the face of the music industry.’
Ray BLK, newly-appointed UD Ambassador, says, ‘Being an Ambassador for UD is an absolute honour. It’s a pleasure to be a part of the amazing work the organisation does for young people. I’ve performed before with The Flames Collective and so I know how UD supports young Black musicians and helps develop their incredible gifts. The Talent House is going to be huge for East London, and the state of the art facilities that people will have access to will be a game changer for them. It’s an exciting time for Black music and I know that with the commitment and passion from the team at UD, the Talent House is going to play a big role in creating opportunities and connections for young people and I’m so proud to be a part of it.’
