Global Update: Phnom Penh Skate School Build: Partner Focus 4: The Skateroom
The Skateroom is a social enterprise who collaborate with contemporary artists to create limited editions of artwork using skateboards as the canvas. Many of these collaborations have supported Skateistan over the last years, including funding the build of the Johannesburg Skate School in 2016. This year, The Skateroom generously raised $34,000 through their collaborations with Grayson Perry (with the Serpentine Galleries) and Andy Warhol (with The Beyeler Foundation) to fund the construction of the new Phnom Penh Skate School. In this partner focus, we speak with Charles Antoine, founder of The Skateroom, about using art for social good and supporting Skateistan.
What is your background in the art world, and how did idea for The Skateroom come about?
I have no degree nor a Master or PhD in history of art or art in general. I have just been always interested in art and at a point in my adolescence, I very much liked skate decks made by street or even more traditional artists. I had a big collection by then! So, 6 years ago, I heard about Skateistan for the first time. I contacted them and visited them in Berlin where I met Oliver Percovich, the founder of the project. He explained me his idea of the Skate Schools and his approach to educate kids through skating. Right after, I decided to put my (skate deck) collection up for sale to support his organization and the kids!
Now with The Skateroom you produce limited edition collaborative art on skate decks. Why is it relevant or important that the canvas is skateboards?
The medium is very clear. The idea all came from my skateboard collection and we decided to fund a social project that uses skateboard as a hook to support kids in need (Skateistan). When we decided to jump from being a collector to becoming a producer of art editions, it seemed very clear that we had to continue with the same medium. So we then started producing skate decks with famous artists or foundations and selling them to raise funds for projects that will make a real change for kids in need. Voila!
Why did you decide to support Skateistan through it?
It all happened at a special time of my life when I was ready to do something for others. It made so much sense for me to support kids around the world. The first time I decided to support Skateistan was when I’ve visited the project in Phnom Penh with artist ROA. I was hit by reality — and after the trip I decided to quit my job as an art gallerist to fully jump into this crazy project of producing skateboard art editions to support these projects.
How is Skateistan supported through the sale of the boards?
At the beginning, we were able to donate 20% of the sales of my personal skate deck collection. But now, as all our supporters are different (collectors, artists, museums) and as each project is unique it is hard to summarize the impact we have! But each collaboration gives money from the sales of the collaborations to the programs and Skate Schools of Skateistan. The main thing I can tell you is that at The Skateroom we consider people before profit!What collaboration has had the most success in raising funds for Skateistan?
All collaborations have been beneficial to Skateistan and to the kids. If I had to select the biggest collaboration, I would say Paul McCarthy. Funds from the collab went towards funding the Skate School in Johannesburg, raising over $200,000!
The launch of the Skate School in Phnom Penh is just a few days away. What was it like to be at the opening of the Skate School in Johannesburg last year and see first hand the impact of your support?
It was a great moment for all of us. We spent a week in Johannesburg with the kids that had already joined the program, Oliver (founder) and his team, plus Tony Hawk and many other supporters. Trust me, it was a crazy week with a lot of fun and a great dose of inspiration to go further, all together, with new artists to reach even more kids.
What’s the future aim?
There are many challenges ahead of us. If I had to mention the most important, I would give you two…
The first would be to show some great images that show the actual impact of the collaborations. So far we have put all the money into the social change projects, but in the future we will try show the impact to our community. The second challenge will be our ability to work with retailers that support our model and mission. They would communicate on their support and we would bring some great content to their consumers.
Through these two things, I am sure we’ll be able to bring our collaborations to the next level. It might take some time, but we are willing to work hard to achieve it!
Thanks to the assistance of our generous partners who made the construction of the Skate School possible, the facility is now complete and programs have already began. Currently 240 children are part of our programs in Phnom Penh each week, and 53% are girls — through this new Skate School we aim to grow this number and reach even more low-income children, girls and children living with disabilities in 2018. The official launch event for the Skate School in February 23rd, so stay tuned!
