Camden for London Borough of Culture
If successful in winning the Mayor of London's 'London Borough of Culture' competition, the council will look to build on Camden’s famous cultural heritage, partnering with the borough’s wealth of world class cultural organisations, to deliver a year of cultural projects to bring social benefit to Camden’s residents and empower the next cultural generation in Camden, including those who rarely feel they can access the mainstream cultural provision in Camden and London.
A wide range of projects will help to train and up-skill new creators and producers, including placing residents within a network of amazing high profile institutions to learn these skills, including The British Museum, The British Library, Camden Arts Centre, and the Roundhouse.
A programme of activity and events will be taken to our housing estates, community centres and schools – boosting cultural involvement, creativity, social cohesion, and boosting education attainment. Information about some of those projects follows below.
-Key supporters of our bid include:
People - Michael Palin, Jon Snow, Emma Thompson, Alistair Campbell, David Walliams, Barbara Windsor, Dermot O’Leary, June Brown, Keir Starmer MP, Tulip Siddiq MP, Evelyn Glennie, Suggs, amongst others.
Organisations – The British Museum, The Amy Winehouse Foundation, Google, Camden Market, Green Man Festival, Canal & River Trust, London Irish Centre, amongst others.
-With key partner venues including:
The Roundhouse, Koko, Central St Martins, the British Museum, Regent’s Canal, Camden Market, St Pancras Station, The Place, Tileyard Studios, London Irish Centre.
Camden will hear whether it's bid has been succesful in late February. You can show your support for the bid by joining in on social media by tweeting @camdentalking using the hashtag #CamdenIsCulture and #MyLocalCulture
December 1 – bid submission:
Camden hopes to ‘tower’ above other boroughs in bid to be crowned London Borough of Culture
To mark Camden’s bid submission for the Mayor of London’s ‘London Borough of Culture’ competition, the BT Tower is proudly illuminating Camden’s campaign slogan across the capital, whilst a new video, launched yesterday, captures the spirit of Camden’s bid.
The Mayor of London will announce in February which boroughs have been successful in being awarded the title of London Borough of Culture for 2019 or 2020 – with each receiving a grant of £1.1million to be spent on their year of arts and cultural celebrations for residents and visitors. There will also be a selection of exemplary awards available for stand out projects proposed within unsuccessful bids.
If successful in winning the competition, the council will look to build on Camden’s famous cultural heritage, partnering with the borough’s wealth of world class cultural organisations, to deliver a year of cultural projects to bring social benefit to Camden’s residents and empower the next cultural generation in Camden, including those who rarely feel they can access the mainstream cultural provision in Camden and London.
A wide range of projects will help to train and up-skill new creators and producers, including placing residents within a network of amazing high profile institutions to learn these skills, including The British Museum, The British Library, Camden Arts Centre, and the Roundhouse.
A programme of activity and events will be taken to our housing estates, community centres and schools – boosting cultural involvement, creativity, social cohesion, and boosting education attainment.
Councillor Jonathan Simpson, Cabinet Member for Promoting Culture and Communities, said: "Camden is famous for its leading cultural institutions - The British Museum, The British Library, the Roundhouse - and over half of Camden businesses are in the creative economy.
"Our bid seeks to ensure we can build on our cultural legacy and develop the creative skills we need by seeking to give current and future generations from all backgrounds, the opportunity to participate, train, work in and enjoy the life-changing benefits culture can bring.
“So whether that's inspiring tomorrow's digital coders, providing a passion and a focus to young people at risk of falling into crime or showcasing the talents, creativity and abilities our residents with disabilities, we see culture as integral to making Camden a better, more equal place and celebrating the diversity of Camden’s communities.
Commenting upon the video produced to further embody the spirit of Camden and the bid, Cllr Simpson added:
“Camden is the gateway to Europe and it’s no coincidence our launch video centres around a moment of creativity at the wonderful St. Pancras International station. We’re a tolerant, international borough visited by people all over the world and we want to show that Camden, the third largest economy in London and its beating heart, is open to all.”
As London’s Borough of Culture we would ensure everyone living and working in Camden has multiple opportunities to engage with the arts and cultural offer across the borough and we invite everyone else to join us.
January 8 – Flagship cultural project proposed to celebrate Regent's Canal
A flagship cultural project to mark the 200th anniversary of part of the Regent’s Canal will take place during either 2019 or 2020, if Camden Council successfully secures London Borough of Culture funding.
Working in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, and many other Camden organisations (including Camden Market, Kerb, the Amy Winehouse Foundation, Camden Town Unlimited, Green Man Festival, the National Youth Theatre and Google), the council would lead on the delivery of a series of pop-up events both on and alongside the canal - benefitting both residents and visitors alike throughout the year.
A stretch of the Regent’s Canal from Little Venice to Camden, named after the Prince Regent, later King George IV, celebrated its 200th birthday in 2016, with the remaining length of the canal from Camden to Limehouse set for its 200thanniversary in 2020.
The year-long project to mark the 2020 anniversary is the centre-piece of Camden’s London Borough of Culture bid and expresses the significance of the canal to Camden and how it connected and still connects the area to other parts of London, the country and beyond. The project links with the Mayor’s ‘London is Open’ campaign theme, reminding that Camden is one of London’s major gateways from and to Europe.
The project also aligns with all of the key campaign themes from the council’s bid - Culture Everywhere, Connected borough, celebrating ‘Camden-ness’, and Digitised Camden.
The project would launch the ‘year of culture’, with a day and night of celebration early in the New Year bringing a section of Regent’s Canal alive through music, dance, theatre, site specific installations, innovative lighting, temporary art work, events and workshops. Artists will be commissioned to illuminate the canal, with boats housing creative projects for workshops and events, whilst walkways and bridges become stages and spaces for intimate events. Working with The Place, Pan Arts, The Amy Winehouse Foundation, Roundhouse and Bloomsbury Festival, this pop-up event will be open for all of London and the world, to celebrate the best of UK culture and creativity.
Following on from that will be 'Camden Treasure Trove' – a Spring-time project, which will see young people, some of whom are either ex-offenders or at risk of offending, landscaping the canal-side and improving the overall environment.
They will work from archives in order to create a storyline that depicts the heritage of the canal, before the reinvigorated area will be used later in the year for an Autumn / Winter performance that marks the completion of the project.
The young people will also learn digital skills, recording the development of the project, before finally uploading it online – where it can serve as an inspiration for others in future years, hopefully creating a project legacy.
The project will be supported by partners that include Tileyard, the Amy Winehouse Foundation, Camden Town Unlimited, the council’s youth offending team, Google, amongst others.
A three-day festival will also take place at a date to be decided during the year - to celebrate the canal as an alternate outdoor venue.
Partnering with Green Man Festival, Camden Market, Kerb, XRP, the National Youth Theatre, and Her Upstairs, music and visual arts will draw both residents and visitors along the canal-side between Camden Market and King’s Cross.
Councillor Jonathan Simpson, Cabinet Member for Promoting Culture and Communities, said:
“The Regent’s Canal anniversary project is at the centre of our bid to be crowned London’s Borough of Culture and will showcase the best of London’s arts and culture, and Camden’s heritage, to residents and visitors from across London, the UK, Europe, and even further afield.“Working with a large range of hugely talented cultural organisations from across Camden, the year-long project will tell both the historic and current significance of the Regents Canal to Camden.It will engage young people, involve a range of our communities, improve the environment along the canal, and will deliver the message that Camden is at the forefront of culture in London, and as home to the Eurostar we are key to the ‘London is Open’ campaign.”
Jon Guest, Canal & River Trust waterway manager, added: “Over its 200 years the Regent’s Canal has seen London change and grow around it. It’s been ahead of its time, behind the times and now once again it is right at the heart of our creative and thriving communities. More people than ever are using the canal and we are delighted that so many individuals and organisations are recognising its anniversary. We’re looking forward to working in partnership to deliver these exciting events.”
Fiona Stewart, Green Man Festival, said: "The celebration of difference is at Camden's beating heart, and this has fuelled the incredible music and cultural experiences Camden is known for internationally. I am one of many people who have benefitted from the creative opportunities and inclusive Camden vibe, and have taken that influence into events Green Man produces in Camden and Wales. The canal will be an amazing venue, and I am delighted that Green Man is Camden's partner and think we will smash it.'
January 19 - Augmented reality collaboration set to bring culture to life throughout Camden
Another major project that is proposed, should the council secure ‘London Borough of Culture* funding’, is an innovative collaboration with Camden’s communities and cultural institutions to build augmented reality ‘culture routes’.
The augmented reality culture routes will be created in partnership with London -founded augmented reality and computer vision company Blippar, the British Museum, Central St Martins, and local residents. The routes will bring to life the thousands of diverse cultural and historical stories and places of interests across the borough.
Residents and visitors will be able to unlock the augmented reality routes via their smartphones to experience the stories behind the exciting and creative energy of each location, whether the culture or sub-culture of a community, or the historical or current cultural significance of an open space, venue, or cultural institution.
The development of the ‘Camden Alive’ project will particularly focus on working with communities and residents who feel that they are rarely able to access mainstream cultural provision in Camden and London. Engagement work with the British Museum will see residents selecting artefacts, objects and spaces that align with the cultural story of their community. Residents will then get the opportunity to learn how to create an augmented reality experience themselves based on those spaces and artefacts.
Outreach work will be carried out within community facilities on housing estates as well as in Camden’s libraries, as well as with the museum.
Across six augmented reality routes, running from housing estates to cultural institutions in the borough, around 120 virtual objects and their respective stories are expected to be available to those following the routes.
Councillor Jonathan Simpson, Cabinet Member for Promoting Culture and Communities, said:
“Camden is London’s home of culture and is famous for its creative energy and range of leading cultural institutions. Culture and heritage has always been integral to making Camden a better, more equal, place and celebrating the diversity and unity of our communities. But, with funding, there is much more we can do.
The Camden Alive project is a prime example. By using innovation and by partnering with some of the country’s leading cultural institutions, we will be able to create augmented reality routes , which not only tell the story of major cultural and historical sites, but which also bring to life the more radical and rebellious sub-cultures of our communities and residents. We will tell stories of place and migration, with objects and artefacts from the British Museum connecting to that location, individual or community.
“The routes will create physical and augmented reality pathways between our communities and leading cultural sites, changing how both residents and visitors conventionally engage with culture.
“The outreach work within our communities to create these cultural stories will link residents, particularly those who rarely engage with mainstream cultural provision, with leading cultural organisations and also those leading the development of some of the world’s leading technology and innovation. This will both upskill and empower the next cultural generation in Camden.”
Danny Lopez, Chief Operating Officer at Blippar, said:
“We’re delighted to provide the technology for this collaboration. At Blippar, we’re strong advocates of diversity -- we’re a diverse multicultural company ourselves with proud roots in London and we’re excited to tell the stories of the Camden community. Augmented reality is a powerful tool for storytelling, as it bridges the physical and digital worlds, breathing life into historical sites and artefacts. We also revel in the opportunity to teach the local community a brand new set of skills, the creation of highly engaging augmented reality experiences.”
Further information:
*Camden’s London Borough of Culture bid looks to build on Camden’s famous cultural heritage, partnering with the borough’s wealth of world class cultural organisations, to deliver a year of cultural projects to bring social benefit to Camden’s residents and empower the next cultural generation in Camden, including those who rarely feel they can access the mainstream cultural provision in Camden and London.
A wide range of projects will help to train and up-skill new creators and producers, including placing residents within a network of amazing high profile institutions to learn these skills, including The British Museum, The British Library, Camden Arts Centre, and the Roundhouse.
A programme of activity and events will be taken to our housing estates, community centres and schools – boosting cultural involvement, creativity, social cohesion, and boosting education attainment.
December 22 - Council teams up with recording studio for inspirational cultural outreach work
Young people from three estates in Camden are being brought together through a collective passion for music, as the council partners with Tileyard Studios, XLP and Maiden Lane Youth Centre, to bring music production into the heart of the community.
The project embodies the ambition of the council’s London Borough of Culture bid – taking cultural and creative arts opportunities into the heart of Camden’s communities and delivering associated benefits, such as upskilling, increasing aspirations, and increasing social cohesion - particularly for groups who feel they are rarely able to access cultural provision in the borough.
The project also complements the council’s Community Safety work, including the establishment of a Youth Safety Taskforce to tackle an increase in youth crime.
Having commenced this week, and already proving popular, the project is seeing a highly equipped mobile recording studio brought onto the Maiden Lane, Agar Grove and Pancras Way estates.
Building relationships with local young people in the area, the project is bringing together groups, with the outreach team mentoring young people and advising how they can connect with the music industry, and utilise the professional equipment and expert advice, including next steps regarding their production, music videos and how to gain radio and TV play.
Tileyard Studio are due to open a workshop facility on the Camden side of York Way next year and this initial outreach programme will have a legacy for the young people taking part – who can continue to pursue their music and music production career aspirations in the new facilities.
Camden Council’s Cabinet Member for Promoting Culture and Communities, Councillor Jonathan Simpson said: “Camden is a borough that is renowned globally for its influence on the music industry, both past and present. Music has always been a way of bringing people together and inspiring generations of Camden residents and visitors alike.
“Our bid to be London’s Borough of Culture looks to utilise many of our cultural assets, music included, to both inspire and upskill residents – hopefully creating future musicians, artists and professionals – that will go on to inspire others. We also want to use the power of culture to deliver social benefits for our communities.
“This project in partnership with Tileyard Studios embodies what we would look to do more of if we won the bid. It’s a fantastic project, which brings together people to work collectively, where in other circumstances they may consider themselves to be rivals. Based upon their interests they are being upskilled, as well as mentored – both in terms of music, but also in life. And vitally, with Tileyard opening workshops next year, there is a legacy for these young people and the initial outreach work will draw them into utilising one of Camden’s world-class cultural facilities.
“That is also a key theme of our bid – bringing culture to the doorstep of people who feel they are rarely able to access our cultural offer, in order to upskill them and then allow them to unlock the opportunities that exist in Camden and London.”
Wizdom Layne from Tileyard, said:
"Tileyard is the largest professional music community in Europe with more than 120 music and entertainment businesses and is home to 82 professional recording studios including those of Mark Ronson, Lily Allen, The Prodigy, John Newman, Chase and Status, Maverick, Notting Hill Music, Marathon Artists, Sound Advice, Spitfire Audio, Tileyard Music, PLATOON and many more.
“As the manager of Tileyard Education’s Community Outreach programme it is a privilege for me to be able to connect with our local community and find ways that we can utilise the resources of the Tileyard to empower the talent in our immediate vicinity and help them realise their creative ambitions.
“I look forward to working on the Maiden Lane, Agar Grove and Pancras Way estates in the run up to the opening of our purpose built centre on York Way in April 2018, where we will be holding workshops, masterclasses and creative careers employment training and development for the benefit of our local community."
For further information about the project please contact [email protected].
December 18 - Council to work with Kings Cross’ first resident musician, Dame Evelyn Glennie, to inspire pupils
A musical composition inspired by the sounds and communities of Camden will be played this Friday by Kings Cross’ first resident musician, Dame Evelyn Glennie, with Camden Council looking to build on the project’s legacy.
‘Echoes from the Birdcage’ is the world premiere of a new composition by Jill Jarman in collaboration with percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, culminating her 2017 Musician in Residency at King’s Cross. Informed and inspired by the sounds collected and shared by the local community, it tells the story of King’s Cross in six movements, displaying many of the different aspects of the area and how much it has changed through history.
If successful in winning London Borough of Culture and related funding, the council proposes to build on the project, commissioning Dame Evelyn to do further community work with Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children and primary schools pupils in the borough. The workshops will bring the sounds of ‘Echoes from the Birdcage’ to the borough’s schools, inspiring the pupils to produce their own ensemble pieces, which will be performed alongside Dame Evelyn at venues including KOKO, St Pancras Station and Central Saint Martins.
Camden Council’s Cabinet Member for Promoting Culture and Communities, Councillor Jonathan Simpson said: “Dame Evelyn’s Echoes from the Birdcage project allowed members of the community to shape the production of a new composition, which embodies King’s Cross and its history.
“If we are successful in winning London Borough of Culture we want to further build on this community engagement and participation by commissioning Dame Evelyn to work with primary school pupils in Camden, including the Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children, to inspire them to produce their own compositions, which will be performed at some iconic Camden venues.
“Having a world class musician like Evelyn working with pupils can only serve as an inspiration to them and build upon our well-established music education work in schools, all of which will hopefully inspire children to pursue their own careers in music or related arts.”
Dame Evelyn Glennie said:
“Echoes from the Birdcage is based on a collection of sounds and rhythms that come together to tell a universal story about King’s Cross. The legacy project that I hope to deliver with Camden Council would build upon this further, with engagement work with children of all backgrounds, mirroring the diversity of Camden.
“Working collectively, the workshops would inspire children and young people, culminating in performances that would give children a chance to perform in some of Camden’s iconic venues and hopefully sparking aspirations to continue to a lifetime of arts or musical performance.”
Other projects also proposed as part of the Camden bid include:
-Camden is Open – aligning with the GLA’s London is Open campaign:
As the gateway to Europe (arrival point for the Eurostar) and a major transport hub to the rest of the UK, communities and Camden based organisations will be encouraged to deliver projects that benefit Camden residents, UK audiences and international organisations. The council will work with local businesses and organisations (such as Jewish Museum, JW3 and London Irish Centre) to decide upon which projects are commissioned to help demonstrate Camden’s openness. Particularly vital in post-Brexit Britain.
-Camden’s Creative Heroes – upskilling and inspiring the next creative generation:
A project, run from Camden’s council and volunteer-run libraries, to encourage people’s digital creativity and empower participants to take the next steps into the creative industries.