South Kilburn Studios

My journey at South Kilburn Studios started in 2011, with CanCan Productions. They are a Kilburn local events/festival production company that initiates, delivers, and promotes happenings, which provide a platform and celebrate: creativity, keeping it local, nurturing self and others, bringing people together, and compassionate living.

It all started with a simple phone call with the Caren from CanCan.

"What are you doing with your life?"

At that moment, I would have called myself a free spirit. I was a typical 20-year-old, throwing myself through any door that unintentionally opened with no clear direction; just a passion to be creative. Then came my response, ”Hopefully something" and the door to become a Trainee at South Kilburn Studios opened. Before the words "I'm in" even had a chance to escape my lips; I was on my bike, halfway down the road, eager to check the space out for myself.

The Architecture Foundation, together with the South Kilburn Neighbourhood Trust (now known as The South Kilburn Trust) and Practice Architecture regenerated the site of 2a Canterbury Road in South Kilburn. Transforming disused portacabins into a series of studio spaces occupied by young businesses in the creative industries, the site was initially commissioned for a six month period but lasted a total of 5 years. It was visually incredible.

South Kilburn Studios offered free traineeships to local young people living in the Borough of Brent. In addition, we ran weekly workshops and monthly studios, open to all, which were targeted at both a local and London-wide audience. The tenants that take up residency at the Studios generally came from creative backgrounds. I am still very grateful I made the cut and was in the first round of trainees.

As part of my traineeship, I was tasked with project managing the exhibition of its kind in the Borough of Brent. I will discuss this in more detail in a further blog. This opportunity shone a light on the path I was destined to follow in life and I learnt how to work creatively, yet efficiently in a team.

Looking back at some of the content we created, I am proud to say that my Traineeship was a brilliant start to what would become my career, as for many others too. I Googled South Kilburn Studios and was amazed by all of the content still out there.

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