Todd Foundation allocates $1m to create a more vibrant central city for young people in Christchurch

Canterbury young people will soon have a new central-city hang out and creative space in which to focus their many talents thanks to the Todd Foundation allocation of its $1m ‘Our Christchurch’ fund.

The Foundation today announced it will be putting its funding towards a Youth Art Place - redeveloping YMCA’s Hereford Street premises into a free, collaborative space for young people to meet, be creative, engage in activities and reinforce their sense of community.

Todd Foundation chair Sir John Todd said the new venue was part of supporting a vibrant and inclusive post-earthquake Christchurch, “where all children and young people thrive”.

“The Youth Art Place will be a major contributor to this and we wish the YMCA and the youth of Christchurch every success in this innovative and forward-thinking initiative,” Sir John said.

The YMCA project was selected following a rigorous process which started last August. The Foundation went to the community looking for a long-term project to celebrate what’s possible in the new Christchurch, with a focus on children and youth.

YMCA chief executive Josie Ogden-Schroeder said the Youth Art Place was an alternative to the street or a shopping mall as a place to meet.

The Youth Place will include urban art-related activities, youth programmes and support, as well as a 200-seat community theatre.

“The earthquakes took away a lot of young Cantabrians’ safe meeting spaces. The Youth Art Place gives young people their own free place. But it will be much more than just a hang-out space. It is an urban culture space: A mall without shops or walls; a gallery where you can make noise and eat, a place for young people to be creative,” she said.

The space is currently home to Oi You!’s street art festival ‘SPECTRUM’. Once open in May 2015, the YMCA Youth Art Place will also provide a permanent home for the world’s largest collection of Banksy artwork, part of George Shaw and Shannon Webster’s Oi YOU! collection, which is currently housed at the YMCA.

Todd Foundation Executive Director Kate Frykberg said the Youth Art Place was chosen from 31 local applications. A youth panel, involving seven young Cantabrians aged 15 to 18 years, was also involved in the selection process.

“The Youth Art Place was the top pick of both the youth panel and the trustees of the Todd Foundation. It is an exciting and innovative project that we are confident will help our young people in Christchurch,” she said.

ENDS

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