Over the last eight years, it has taken great culture to doorsteps all over the capital, shining a spotlight on the rich heritage and unearthing cultural gems beyond the centre. London is not just one story – it’s thousands of stories, woven together in this rich, dynamic and diverse capital that we all love.
The impact has been profound, and the numbers speak for themselves. So far, the London Borough of Culture has reached 12 boroughs across our city and attracted audiences of over 3 million.
Over 5,000 artistic partners and hundreds of schools have got involved. And it’s shown how culture can help to unleash the potential of the next generation by creating over 25,000 opportunities for young Londoners.
Today flags unfurled across the front of Battersea Arts Centre to say ‘Welcome to Wandsworth’ as plans for its year as the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture were revealed for the first time. And the name says it all.
Everyone is welcome and each corner of the borough will come alive in a surge of creativity. So, what can we expect?
The year kicks off with a dance extravaganza, Strictly Wandsworth. It’s especially close to my heart as it was my own experience of a youth dance group when I was a child that really boosted my confidence and helped me develop vital social skills.
I learnt at a young age the real power of culture to transform our lives and our communities.
So I can’t wait to see dozens of dance groups coming together to create a tapestry of dance styles under the direction of Olympic opening ceremony choreographer, Jeanefer Jean Charles. Everyone watching will be dancing too – so start limbering up now!
Other highlights to look out for are Sing to Thrive, a super-choir of 1,000 singers performing new music, and Urban Flow, a spectacular street parade blending Indian dance, martial arts and digital art in Roehampton.
In September, the Liberty festival showcases groundbreaking work by D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists and A Palace of Varieties will celebrate 125 years of the Clapham Grand and queer joy.
Waltham Forest, Brent, Lewisham and Croydon have all been London Borough of Culture where it has created a step-change in ambition and delivered on the promise that culture is for all Londoners.
Each borough received £1.35m, which in turn has unlocked millions more which in turn has unlocked millions more. The whole programme has leveraged over £22m so far. Cultural Impact Awards were also given to many other boroughs for a big creative idea.
And Wandsworth will hand the crown over to Haringey to take on the London Borough of Culture title in 2027.
There have been so many brilliant projects, awards won and lives changed and some legacies that we could never have been predicted.
When Waltham Forest assembled over 1,000 volunteers during their London Borough of Culture year (the aptly named ‘Legends of the Forest’), little did they know that when the pandemic hit they would quickly be mobilised to lead the Covid-19 response.
Culture was the spark that inspired these volunteers to sign up, it created a community of people who want to help. The Legends now number over 3,000 and continue to grow.
The impact of the London Borough of Culture is deep, profound and lasting but at its heart it honours and celebrates our culture – which is London’s lifeforce and something that all Londoners have a right to access.
