The Agency National Gathering
&
10th Birthday Celebrations
15 November 2023
14:30– 17.30
Battersea Arts Centre Lavender Hill,
London SW11 5TN
Celebrating a Decade of Change
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Celebrating a Decade of Change |
Join us as we bring together alumni, partners past and present, collaborators and supporters.
This year, The Agency celebrates its 10th anniversary in the UK. As part of the programme, an annual gathering is held for Agents and partners from across the country to come together, share ideas and network. This year, we’re extending an invitation to the gathering, to tell you more about The Agency and what we’ve learnt about delivering this work over 10 years. We are also going to share what we have planned in the future.
This will be an impactful event, providing you with an opportunity to meet the young people who have participated in the programme over the last ten years. Alumni Agents are hosting and creating the event - from event planners, artists, DJ’s, videographers and photographers. They will showcase their projects in a market-style open space, and you will learn about the inspiring enterprises and initiatives they have developed.
Special guests include Marcus Faustini founder of Agência de Redes para a Juventude for which The Agency is based on, Marsha de Cordova MP for Battersea, Luís Jerónimo Director, Equity Programme for Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Keisha Thompson Artistic Director & CEO of Contact Theatre, Dr. Meg Peterson, Independent Researcher for King's College, and more to be announced.
You will have the chance to hear life affirming stories from change-makers from across the UK that are living in areas where people simply aren’t given enough opportunities. Through The Agency, they have developed the tools to create impactful social projects, based on their desire for change.
This event will celebrate the power and innovation of these young people making waves in their communities in Manchester, London, Southampton, Chester and Belfast.
During the event, we will launch our specially commissioned '10 Year Longitudinal Evaluation’. This research collects and analyses data from previous Agents, facilitators, and project leads which will help to inspire best practices. As we unveil our findings, we extend an invitation to all those who share our passion to learn from our successes and failures, to continue to innovate and ignite change in the sector.
‘The Agency made me think creatively about my whole life. The process started with me and my desire and was shaped by what I wanted to do. This movement of changemakers has made me who I am today.’
Henrietta, Alumni Agent
About The Agency
The Agency is an award-winning creative entrepreneurship programme, that has been a driving force in nurturing creativity, social innovation, and community empowerment across the UK. The programme has also been instrumental in shaping the way arts companies do business, diversifying boards, programming, and staffing. Working with young people 15-25, they are seen as the solution, supported to have agency and recognise their power to make change within their lives, within their community, and in their cities.
We would love to celebrate the last 10 years with you.
Confirm your spot here.
Schedule & What to expect on the day
14:30 – Presentation of The Agency, story so far and preview of 10 Year Longitudinal Evaluation featuring Dr. Meg Peterson, Independent Researcher, from King's College; Suzie Henderson, Creative Director, Storyhouse; and Andrew Westle, National Programme Manager, The Agency. The evaluation, based on data from past Agents, facilitators, and project leads, aims to inspire best practice by sharing insights from our successes and failures. As we unveil our findings, we extend an invitation to all those who share our passion to engage with our findings
15:30 Hear from special guests about The Agency's impact, including Marcus Faustini founder of Agência de Redes para a Juventude for which The Agency is based on; Marsha de Cordova MP for Battersea; Luís Jerónimo Director, Equity Programme for Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation; Keisha Thompson Artistic Director & CEO of Contact Theatre, with more to be announced.
16:00 –Meet & greet with Agents past and present in BAC's Grand Hall, to hear directly from change makers about their ideas, projects and ambitions. You can spend as much time as you like hearing from these inspirational young people.
17:30 OFFICIAL END
Schedule subject to changes
The event will kick off a national campaign that amplifies the voices of young people from underserved communities. Together, we will shine a spotlight on their remarkable achievements and contributions.
With thanks to our partners and funders The National Community Lottery Fund, Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Foundation and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.