Camden hopes to ‘tower’ above other boroughs in bid to be crowned London Borough of Culture

^ Sir Keir Starmer, MP for King's Cross and St Pancras, Councillor Jonathan Simpson, Cabinet Member for Promoting Culture and Communities, and Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, today marked Camden's bid submission, at Fitzroy Square, close to the BT Tower.

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.

You can show your support for the bid by joining in on social media by tweeting @camdentalking using the hashtag #CamdenIsCulture and #MyLocalCulture