Gift to the Future at Southbank Centre: South Bank children's art unveiled
A powerful new public art installation, "Gift to the Future", has transformed the Southbank Centre on the South Bank, making the voices of nearly 3,000 schoolchildren visible to millions of visitors. This monumental collaborative poem celebrates the creativity of young people from London and beyond, marking the Southbank Centre's 75th anniversary. It offers local residents a unique opportunity to engage with a significant community-driven artistic endeavour.
What you need to know
"Gift to the Future" is a large-scale, site-wide physical public art installation. It features a 93-line collaborative poem, with each line contributed by a different class of schoolchildren. The installation is free to view and is part of the Southbank Centre's 75th-anniversary celebrations.
Venue: Southbank Centre
Location: South Bank, Waterloo, London SE1 8XX
Dates / Run: Tuesday, 21 July 2026 – Sunday, 27 September 2026
Key Cast/Creatives: Lemn Sissay (renowned poet and curator)
The production
The installation is the culmination of the "Imagine the Future" and "Reframe: Inspire Schools" programmes. These initiatives empowered over 2,750 young people to engage in creative writing and digital literacy through zine and poetry making. Poet Lemn Sissay led the "Imagine the Future" programme, working with 2,319 schoolchildren from over 40 schools to explore visual poetry. Students used Apple iPads to weave together visual art, poetry, and digital design, creating zines themed on their local areas and dreams for 2026. The resulting 93-line poem, "Gift to the Future", was curated by Sissay and a team of poet-educators. The children's visual poems have also been compiled into a special-edition 75th-anniversary newspaper anthology.
Why it matters locally
This installation holds particular significance for South London, with nearly 2,000 of the participating schoolchildren hailing from Lambeth schools. The project boosted their digital literacy, creative writing, and creative confidence, providing a platform for their voices to be heard. By showcasing their work on such a prominent South Bank landmark, the Southbank Centre reinforces its commitment to nurturing local talent and engaging the community in meaningful cultural experiences. It allows millions of visitors to witness the imagination of a new generation.
Planning your visit
"Gift to the Future" is a free public art installation, so no tickets are required. The Southbank Centre is easily accessible, with Waterloo being the nearest tube and train station.
Pro-Tip: For a pre-visit coffee or a post-viewing meal, the Southbank Centre offers several options. Consider the Roof Garden Bar & Kitchen at the Queen Elizabeth Hall for drinks and views, or explore the Southbank Centre Food Market for diverse street food options. Nearby restaurants like Forza Wine at the National Theatre also offer excellent food with riverside terraces. While at the Southbank Centre, you might also visit the National Poetry Library, located on Level 5 of the Royal Festival Hall, which houses the world's largest public collection of modern poetry.
Source Verification
This report is based on official production data and schedule information.
MORE: South London: Pears Maudsley Centre opens for young people's mental health — https://southlondonnews.com/2026/06/10/south-london-pears-maudsley-centre-opens-for-young-peoples-mental-health-3/
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