On February 6 Ally Pally’s Young Creatives Network will take over Bruce Castle Museum, with the team curating ‘Castle Lates’, including a boiler-room style rave, creative zine-making workshop, live performances and a pop-up talk show.

The event marks three years of funding for the Network, which first launched in 2020, from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

In that time 1000s of local young people, aged 16-28, have immersed themselves in culture and the arts with the support our Creative Learning team, gaining skills and experience as they seek to build careers in the creative industries.

Network members have also explored themes of participation, experimentation and community voice. Using a variety of disciplines – including performing arts, spoken word, dance, comedy, live music, festivals and digital arts, among many more – and through partnerships with local libraries, Haringey Council, colleges, cultural institutions, independent record shops, Tottenham Hotspur and grassroots organisations, the Network has been empowered to work directly with decision makers to help regenerate local cultural provision.

HIGHLIGHTS…SO FAR

It’s impossible to list everything the Network have achieved over the past three years, but here’s just a few of our favourites:

• Young Actors Company: helping to launch the Palace’s first theatre group for young actors, including performances in the Palace’s Theatre and Basements.
• Library Lates: a new initiative conceived and led by the Network to bring live performances to local libraries, with a series of after-hours events featuring local young DJs, producers and comedians.
• Roundtable Series: the chance to gain valuable insights and inspiration from established professionals in the creative industries, such as Alexis Taylor from Hot Chip. Also saw 15 Network members curating Rhythm Stick, our inclusive club night.
• London Festival of Architecture: working alongside local artists and students from John Dewey Specialist College to create an immersive sensory exhibition around experiencing the world with a disability.
• Haringey Feast: Network members formed part of the commissioning panel to review approximately 100 submissions for short films to be premiered at a major event celebrating Haringey’s upcoming Borough of Culture year.
• Ally Pally 150^th: curating the People’s Stage at our free 150^th birthday party, attended by 20,000 people.
• By The People: Network members contributed their reflections on Ally Pally as part of our 150th anniversary celebrations, and helped to source stories from community groups across Haringey.
• Training: completing workshops from the likes of the BBC Academy, global ticketing platform DICE and an event management course led by professionals from the Palace.
• Community initiatives: Network members visited Care homes in the borough, using performance arts to connect with residents and explore feelings of community, identity and isolation.
• Windrush anniversary: Network members worked with Haringey artist Bevali Mckenzie from Code1, and with older Haringey residents from the Windrush Generation on an exhibition and photoshoot in the Palace’s Theatre, commemorating the 75^th Windrush anniversary.
• Assistant Producers: three roles were created for young people to join the Palace’s Creative Learning team, as Assistant Producers of the Network.

Hundreds of Network members have also been offered the chance to explore the cultural and events programme here at Ally Pally, with free tickets to live events such as: Ed Sheeran, Later…with Jools Holland, Michael Kiwanuka, Bloc Party, Mogwai, Aitch, Paolo Nutini, and many, many more.

NETWORK VOICES

“It’s great to network with people and go to the workshops. There are lots of different creative people here – like dancers, writers, actors, musicians, etc. It’s so diverse! ” Alice, 23, Network Member

“Since graduating I’ve been concentrating on my music, performing, touring, and just trying to get all the opportunities on my side. I’ve only just joined the Young Creatives Network and it’s nice to be able to network with other creatives and get free tickets to things like Jools Holland.” Thea, 24, Network Member

‘My experiences at Alexandra Palace have equipped me with the skills to work in the creative sector’ Julianna, Network producer