Adam Joolia

Adam's AudioActive charity has seen a star-studded contingent pass through its door which includes the like of Rizzle Kicks and Rag’n’Bone Man. AudioActive aims to help young people who are not served by the traditional music industry or mainstream pathways.

Adam cut his teeth in Nottingham, working in alternative education, youth work and music projects during the emergence of the UK Grime scene. Gun and gang violence were rife in the city’s communities and to achieve impact in such a challenging context, Adam pioneered creative, often unconventional approaches to reach and engage young people. Bringing this ethos of innovation to his role with AudioActive in 2006, Adam co-founded groundbreaking projects such as Electric Youth Ensemble and child-to-parent violence Break4Change.

Adam said: “Many of our most promising creative young minds feel like square pegs in round holes in our education system. The qualities that make them such unique, promising artists who aren't afraid to challenge convention or take risks, can often make them hard to nurture within formal institutions."

"We've been working on a way to support these awe-inspiring young people for a long time. Funding from The National Lottery has been game changing for us and has meant we can press on with activities such as our 'Square Holes' programme, which aims to level the playing field for such young people and emerging artists."