New Youth Arts Centre Opens in Dalston

A derelict warehouse on Dalston Lane has been transformed into a state-of-the-art youth arts centre, offering free creative programmes in music production, filmmaking, visual arts and performance to young people aged 14 to 25.

The Dalston Creative Hub, which opened its doors last Saturday with a launch event attended by over 400 young people, fills a gap left by years of youth service cuts across the borough. The centre occupies a 10,000 sq ft industrial space that has been sensitively converted to retain its raw warehouse character while adding professional-grade facilities.

The ground floor houses a 200-capacity performance space, a recording studio with industry-standard equipment, and a digital media suite for filmmaking and animation. The upper floor contains artist studios, a darkroom, a ceramics workshop and a flexible exhibition space.

"When I was growing up in Hackney, there were youth clubs on almost every estate," said centre director Kofi Asante, who grew up on the Pembury Estate. "Most of those closed in the austerity years. A whole generation of young people lost access to creative spaces. This centre is about giving that back."

The hub is funded through a unique partnership model. The building is owned by Hackney Council, which provides it rent-free. Running costs are covered by a consortium of arts charities, including the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Hackney Parochial Charities. Corporate sponsors including Burberry and Universal Music have funded equipment.

All programmes at the centre are completely free, with no booking or registration required for drop-in sessions. Structured courses — which run in eight-week blocks — require sign-up but carry no fees. The centre operates from 3pm to 9pm on weekdays and 10am to 6pm on weekends.

Among the young people at the launch was 17-year-old Amara Osei from Clapton, who is already signed up for the music production programme. "I make beats on my phone because I can't afford proper equipment," she said. "Having a studio where I can actually learn and create properly — that changes everything."

The centre will also host a programme of public events, including exhibitions, film screenings and live performances, all curated by young people. A youth advisory board will have a formal role in shaping the centre's direction.

The Dalston Creative Hub is at 142 Dalston Lane, E8 1NG. Full programme details are available at the centre or through Hackney Council's youth services page.