#CamdenInspireAwards2K19 — Catching up with the winners: The Roundhouse.

December 5th marked the 3rd year of the annual #CamdenInspireAwards, taking place at none other than Collective Auction Rooms. The awards look to celebrate the value of independent and unique businesses within Camden and Euston, providing a way in which the local and further community are able to show appreciation to businesses within the area through a public vote. We asked you, the public, to pick your winners from a collection of 7 categories. Over 60 businesses, and over 4000 votes.

In this #CamdenInspireAwards2k19 series, we catch up with the businesses you voted in as our winners…

The Roundhouse were announced the winners in our ‘Best Culture Spot’ category! After coming joint first place last year alongside Jazz Cafe, The Roundhouse this year walked home with the award. We caught up with them to find out more about their work and how it felt to be announced the winners of this category.

How did Roundhouse become known as one of the most world renowned music venues standing?

The Roundhouse has played host to some of the most legendary artists from around the world — from Patti Smith to Bowie to Jay-Z. It has also played a huge part in counter-culture movements such as Punk and revolutionary theatre.

How did the Roundhouse come about?

The Roundhouse was originally built as a train repair shed in 1846 but it was in 1966 that it first opened as a performing arts venue. In between that time it served as a gin and whiskey storage space for Gilbey’s. When he took it over in the 60s, it was originally the vision of Sir Arnold Wesker to turn it into a ‘people’s palace’ — a space for everyone in society to experience art, not just the elite, and a place for the next generation of artists. Something that still rings true today.

Tell us more about your International Youth Programme…

Each year 6,500 young people access our youth programme which consists of music, media and performance projects alongside rehearsal space and professional opportunities within our productions. Young people aged 11–25 come here to learn new skills or develop their talents in order to take a step into the industry. Lots of the young people we work with come from the local area — we want to ensure we’re an accessible space for local Camden residents.

How do you think the creative arts helps support and nurture young people through difficult times?

Creativity can help young people in so many ways in their life. Whether it is helping someone to better understand their identity, build their confidence, or make new friends. It can have a profound impact on people’s formative years and at a time when school is so much about exams and tests, having a creative outlet is so important.

Stars such as Daniel Kaluuya are one of the Roundhouse’s many success stories, are there any other prominent public figures that have been born out of the roundhouse?

Thousands of young people come to the Roundhouse each year to develop their skills and confidence. Due to the range of projects available, the unique thing about the Roundhouse is that we focus on the roles that are off stage too, which is why we’ve seen many Roundhouse alumni go on to work in brilliant backstage roles or in the wider creative industries. Transmission Roundhouse has a huge number of their alumni now working at various roles within the BBC.

Camden is well known for its creative and diverse culture, what value do you think The Roundhouse brings to Camden?

Camden has a huge amount of creativity but young people in the borough need to know it is for them too. That’s why we’re proud so many of our young people are local. Many go on to perform their shows here too — telling the local stories on a We also have an eclectic line-up at the Roundhouse which brings in different audiences to Camden each night.

How can people help to support The Roundhouse?

Every ticket you buy or every round you get in at the bar supports our charitable work, as we are a not-for-profit venue. That is what makes it so unique — all the money goes back into supporting our work with young people. There are other ways people can support us too, like getting a membership or simply donating to one of our campaigns as an individual, or you can get your organisation involved.

What do you think made The Roundhouse stand out in this years #CamdenInspireAwards?

We were up against some other great culture spots but we were really fortunate to have lots of support from our brilliant volunteers, staff and audiences when it came to the vote.

Like the sound of The Roundhouse? Check out what they’ve got coming up.

Get social with The Roundhouse!

Instagram: @roundhouseldn

Twitter: @RoundhouseLDN