English National Ballet wins RICS Social Impact Award
We're delighted that the English National Ballet has won the Education category in this year's RICS Social Impact Awards.
English National Ballet has recently moved into a new world-class headquarters at London City Island and is the cultural anchor in London’s newest neighbourhood. This transformational move, made possible by the facilities housed in 93,000 square feet of space, allows the company to develop world-class artists, create outstanding ballet for the future, helping them to share with more people than ever before, inspiring and developing dancers, choreographers, costume-makers, musicians, participants and audiences for generations to come.
The new building brings together English National Ballet School and English National Ballet under one roof, combining modern training facilities, teaching and rehearsal studios, alongside a unique Production Studio unrivalled in the UK.
English National Ballet is renowned for taking ballet to the widest possible audience through its national and international tour programme, and being a UK leader in creative learning and engagement practice and delivery such as ENB’s Dance for Parkinson’s.
English National Ballet School prepares the finest young dancers for a lifetime of achievement. State-of-the-art facilities are matched by world-class training, education, pastoral care and performance opportunities. Students participate in a three-year programme, validated by Trinity College London, with graduates joining prestigious dance companies worldwide. The School also offer weekly children’s ballet classes, ENBS Juniors, for 3–10 year olds.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “London is a city full of creative talent so I’m delighted that these world-class facilities are opening up opportunities to all Londoners. By enabling the community to practise alongside internationally-renowned professional dancers, these new spectacular studios not only showcase our capital as a world leader for ballet, but help improve the lives and wellbeing of Londoners from all backgrounds.
“It shows the positive impact that culture can have on our communities and, with work on East Bank already underway, is the latest step towards creating a global cultural powerhouse in East London. This sends a clear message to the world that London is open to talent and creativity and always will be.
We equip our students with the confidence, creativity and skills for a career as a professional dancer with the major international companies, and for a future beyond performing. We aspire to be the school of choice for the next generation of ballet artists and to pioneer the future of dance education."
This state-of-the-art facility will enable new opportunities for collaboration and nurturing of dance talent. It will have dedicated digital facilities enabling wider audience engagement to enhance our traditional touring outside London.
Located at London City Island, a new neighbourhood developed by Eco World Ballymore, we will bring ballet and dance to the heart of East London and the local community and provide a resource for the wider performance sector.
The development is a short distance from Canning Town and adjoins Trinity Buoy Wharf, which is home to an emerging creative arts cluster. It is based in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, on the border of the London Borough of Newham.
The building is designed by leading architects Glenn Howells Architects. At over 93,000 square feet it will be more than three times the size of ENBS and ENB’s current homes and feature:
- A Production Studio for the development and rehearsal of productions and creation of new commissions.
- Seven large studios for rehearsals and teaching
- A dedicated Music Room for English National Ballet Philharmonic
- Space for English National Ballet Philharmonic to rehearse on site
- A health suite including a gym, pilates studio, hydrotherapy pool and rehabilitation facilities
- Digital Infrastructure that allows for the capture and sharing of work
- Dedicated Engagement spaces
- Open spaces and architectural features that will create a transparent, open, welcoming environment, sharing the creative process with the public, inside and outside the building.
Steve Sacks, Chairman of English National Ballet School and Board member of English National Ballet, added; “This is an incredibly exciting step for English National Ballet School. In addition to giving us a wonderful, new purpose-built facility, it gives our students the opportunity to work even more closely on a day-to-day basis with the Company.”
