Opening night for Big Creative Academy

Big Creative Academy in London recently held an event to celebrate its opening, following the construction of a new, visionary building for the specialist college.

Farrans Construction delivered the purpose-built, three-storey school for third level creative arts students in a contract valued at £12m.

Work was part of a £21m investment funded by the Department for Education on the Clifton Avenue campus.

The building houses industry standard facilities for courses for 16-19 year olds in Fashion, Make Up, Media, Performing Arts, Music, Technical Theatre, Art and Design and Health and Fitness. The specialist spaces include a 200-seater theatre, a gym, outdoor performance area and gardens as well as technical studios for music, dance, drama, fashion, make up and TV. There is also an advice and guidance centre for jobs and businesses in the creative arts.

Big Creative Academy is one part of the wider Big Creative Village envisioned for the Clifton Avenue site which will include a digital centre and careers hub. These new facilities will ensure young people have the skills and networks to succeed in the creative industries. The Big Creative Village will bring everyone together in an inclusive and safe environment, creating vital community networks, part of Big Creative Education whose mission is to develop talent, transform lives and create careers.

One student said: “I’m so excited about the new building – it’s great to have such a unique place for us all as creatives, and sitting in the sensory garden for our wellbeing sessions is amazing!”

Sacha Corcoran MBE says: “The vision we have for Big Creative Academy has come alive. It’s more important than ever that our young people are trained to have technical, industry-standard skills they can take into the real world, and for communities to come together. We look forward to welcoming you all.”