​​​​​16 December 2015 - The Battersea Power Station Development Company (“BPSDC”) is pleased to announce that charities Beatbox Academy, Theatre503 and World Heart Beat Music Academy have received a combined total of £18,000 from the Battersea Art Station exhibition, held at the Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) in September 2015.   
The Battersea Art Station weekend was possibly the largest ever exhibition showcasing just one single subject matter – Battersea Power Station. With participation from amateur and professional artists around the world, the art competition received submissions from as far as New Zealand and Canada with a variety in pieces ranging from contemporary Power Station gym clothing to classical oil paintings. 

Dato’ Johan Ariffin, Chairman of Battersea Power Station said, “Battersea Power Station has been crafting a strong foundation for hosting cultural events. The Battersea Art Station initiative has been a superb opportunity to showcase talent and further cultural outreach in the local community at a time when space is limited at the development due to the extensive construction program underway.  As part of Battersea Power Station’s cultural strategy, this project demonstrates the shareholders’ genuine commitment to further the aspirations of arts and culture within the Battersea / Nine Elms community in which we operate.”

Over the course of three days, 5,000 visitors attended the exhibition hosted at the BAC--a Grade II* listed arts venue--to enjoy the artwork and also take part in the other activities presented for all ages. Nearly 300 pieces of art were sold including prints and merchandise with 20% of all the artist sales, just under £18,000, going to three creative local charities. 

David Twohig, Head of Design and Placemaking of BPSDC said, “Involving fantastic local charities into our weekend was hugely important in the overall planning for the celebration of art and the Power Station. It was very much a community event and we were thrilled to be able to raise such a significant sum to support these worthwhile organisations whilst the public were also enjoying some great art.” 

Beatbox Academy is BAC’s young musical collective bringing together 12-21 year olds from all areas of the community in inclusive, weekly sessions to break down barriers and present a positive image of young people's potential. The long running programme develops young people’s skills in beatboxing, rapping, singing, composing and performing as a group, having appeared on high profile stages from Royal Festival Hall to Latitude Festival. Beatbox Academy is a creative and exciting means to engage a diverse group, including the hardest to reach young people and also offers full and part funded scholarship places reserved for those with the greatest need. 

Lara Taylor, Homegrown Projects Coordinator at BAC, said. “With support from the Battersea Art Station event, we will be able to build on the programme to do more outreach sessions in local schools and community centres, giving young people a taste of their potential and raising awareness of Beatbox Academy as an avenue to develop themselves. Part of the money will go towards training the more senior members as facilitators to further their journey into the arts industry and share their learning with others. These will allow us to target those who would most benefit from the programme such as those from economically disadvantaged families, refugee and migrants and young carers.”

Theatre503 has been located at the heart of Battersea for over 30 years where it has built itself a reputation for being a powerhouse of new writing and showcasing ground-breaking plays. The company stage and produce work that is game changing, relevant, surprising and visually thrilling. Their Young Creative Leaders project gives responsibility and leadership opportunities to young people facing social exclusion. By participating in a series of theatre workshops and working alongside professionals the young adults are trained in the responsibility of producing a show from scratch before performing the plays to an audience of their friends, families and peers. 

Jessica Campbell, Producer of Theatre503, comments. “We were delighted to be a part of the Battersea Art Station event. The Power Station has been the defining landmark of our area for almost a century, to be involved in an artistic celebration of the iconic building was an honour. We will be using the funds to invest back into Battersea and to help run our Young Creative Leaders project which for five years has been enabling young people in our community find their theatrical voice and become leaders of the future; and also our playwriting courses which we offer for free to the people of Wandsworth to learn new skills and unlock hidden talents.”

World Heart Beat Music Academy was founded in 2012 to create a realm of opportunities for children and young people who would not normally have the chance to learn and play music. Their ethos is grounded in social change by inspiring and motivating young people to reach beyond the limitations circumstances have placed on them to lift their aspirations and maximise their potential as musicians and citizens of the world. 

Sahana Gero, Artistic Director of World Heart Beat Music Academy, said: “We were excited to be part of the Battersea Art Station event as the community - and being in the heart of the community - is what we are about. Through BPS’s initiatives of cultural partnerships and artist inspired projects World Heart Beat can be – and be seen to be – the key contributor of a youth music element to this regeneration.  Through playing music in this fusion of art and new community growth, our students will absorb the life-prolonging spirit of urban collectivity.” 

Battersea Art Station is an example of The Battersea Power Station Malaysian shareholders’ commitment to supporting arts and culture and the event is one of Battersea Power Station’s Cultural Strategy initiatives. Following the success of the first Battersea Art Station, BPSDC and the shareholders of Battersea Power Station have announced their intention to hold similar artistic events in the future. 

Any artists inspired by Battersea Power Station should register their information at
https://www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk/#!/go/view/app/art-station?view=artStation