Raheem Sterling Foundation Signs with the National Portrait Gallery

A collaboration between Raheem Sterling Foundation and the National Portrait Gallery launches a new creative youth engagement and skills development programme – Making of Me – in London in a bid to raise the career aspirations of young people interested in expressing themselves
through art.

Combining photography and portraiture, the programme will enable participants to produce a piece
of art by collaborating with photographers, filmmakers and digital producers to explore themes of
self-identity, representation, place and community.

The programme will give 30 young people from London the chance to learn a variety of skills and the
knowledge needed to progress into future creative careers. It will aim to strengthen their sense of
community and belonging as they explore themes from their own experiences and perspectives.

Clive Ellington, Chair of Trustees for Raheem Sterling Foundation, commented: “social mobility,
education and employment make up the Foundation’s 3 pillars and this project is a perfect fit for
what we are aiming to achieve – helping to expand horizons, raise aspirations and create
opportunities for the next generation. It’s important for us to keep developing innovative and
engaging projects that will help encourage young people, support them to realise their full potential
and give essential life lessons to help them grow, personally and professionally. We look forward to
working with Liz and the National Portrait Gallery team and follow the young people as they embark
on this incredible journey.”

Liz Smith, Director of Learning and Engagement at the National Portrait Gallery, said: “The National
Portrait Gallery is delighted to be working in partnership with the Raheem Sterling Foundation.
Initially delivered in Raheem’s home borough of Brent, our new partnership will offer opportunities
for young people to learn new skills by working in collaboration with artists and makers. Making of
Me will provide the project participants with access to the Gallery’s inspirational Collection, as well
as exciting and creative opportunities within our sector.”

Created in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery and funded by Raheem Sterling Foundation,
the Making of Me project will consist of 12 workshops and masterclasses led by a dedicated Project
Manager starting Autumn 2022.

Making of Me builds on the extensive work undertaken with young people and schools in London
and beyond by the National Gallery as part of its Inspiring People project, increasing the Gallery’s
reach and relevance during its closure. The young people participating have been chosen within the
Ark Academy Network, and noticed for their efforts and interest in arts and culture. They will take
inspiration from the Gallery’s Collection, responding to portraits in order to develop their ideas –
taking them from a concept to reality.

The programme will culminate in 2023, as the National Portrait Gallery makes its long-awaited
reopening having undergone a major transformation to its building. Responses created by the
participating young people as part of Making of Me will be displayed at the Gallery when the
building reopens.

Following the Making of Me project The Raheem Sterling Foundation and National Portrait Gallery
will consider further collaborations nationally and internationally in the future.