Opening event of Circuit programme at Tate Modern
Hyperlink, a major arts festival for young people, took place in The Tanks and Turbine Hall at Tate Modern on 26-28 April. The three-day event, which featured installations, performances and workshops by visual artists, designers, gastronomists and musicians, was developed and produced by and for young people.
The festival was the first of many around the country happening as part of Circuit, a new national programme for young people, involving all four Tate galleries and six partner galleries from across the UK. Hyperlink has been curated by Tate Collective London, a group of young creatives aged 15-25 years, who produce dynamic programme for young audiences across Tate Modern and Tate Britain.Hyperlink featured performances by critically acclaimed musicians such as Akala, George the Poet, Sway, Kano, and AlunaGeorge. In addition to live music, artist-run workshops, installations and interactive artworks were also part of the festival. One installation saw the Turbine Hall transformed with a cascading flotilla of handmade boats.
‘Circuit: A National Youth Network for the Visual Arts’ is being rolled out across the country through a partnership of six lead organisations, including Tate and five members of the ‘Plus Tate’ network of art galleries. The programme, aimed at 15-25 year olds, provides opportunities for young people across the UK, particularly those who have the least access to the arts, to participate and shape their own cultural experiences.
Besides live arts festivals such as Hyperlink, Circuit will also include peer-led projects which will be developed and delivered by young people in each area; artist-led projects; and partnerships with youth services organisations. There will also be an online platform which will allow connection across sites, through digital projects that present and capture the circuit of activities. These projects will encourage participation, develop excellence and build confidence in young people from a wide range of social, economic and cultural backgrounds.
The Foundation has funded Circuit with a £5 million PHF anniversary gift. It was the third such gift made on the occasion of PHF’s 25th anniversary, following a £5m endowment to the Roundhouse Studios in London and a £1m endowment to the Jaipur Foot organisation (BMVSS) in India.
