Create a Difference - Islington bids to become Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2019

Islington is bidding to become the Mayor of London’s Borough of Culture 2019 – and is inviting ideas from local residents to use culture to help make Islington a fairer place.

Islington is fortunate in its rich mix of arts and heritage and is home to more than 160 cultural organisations. But some residents are currently missing out on the raft of enriching cultural experiences on their doorstep.

The council is today issuing an open call for local people to “Create a Difference”, and come forward with ideas and ways of helping more residents to share their creativity to help reduce inequality in the borough.

All ideas are welcomed, whether you are a local community group, artist, an established producer or a talented resident who wants to share, learn or earn from your creative skills.

The deadline for submissions of proposals is 12noon on November 10. To submit an idea, or for more information, see www.islington.gov.uk/create. Shortlisted ideas will be used as part of Islington’s London Borough of Culture bid.

Islington resident Jo Thomas, an internationally recognised composer and sound artist, has made a career out of her creativity, and a number of her projects have been focused on communities.

“Islington is great for a creative person. I’ve really benefitted from living there,” she said. “On my housing estate I’ve seen the benefit of improved access to the arts but there is still more to be done, so residents should get involved with Islington’s London Borough of Culture bid!”

Vincenza Dato initially started making jewellery, clothes and other crafts to cope with the stress of her new-born son being in hospital. Quilting a blanket for his incubator proved to be the catalyst for her creativity, and Vincenza has since held workshops for adults with learning needs and helped create a sensory room in a house for women with learning difficulties. She is keen to hold more workshops as part of Islington’s bid to become London Borough of Culture.

“The response from the people I’ve worked with has been incredible,” said Vincenza. “It was really lovely to be part of that.”

Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Islington Council’s executive member for community development, said: “Islington has a very strong tradition of arts and culture. From world-famous cultural beacons to arts activities in community centres and schools, the borough has a thriving culture of creativity, in countless different shapes.

“We’re proud to be bidding to become Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2019 – now is the time that you can help to create a difference. We would very much like to hear from everyone who has a creative idea to develop. Local residents, artists, venues and community organisations will all have valuable insights on how to use culture to make Islington a fairer place.”

As one of the Mayor’s flagship programmes, the winner of London Borough of Culture will be awarded £1.1million to help maximise the social and economic value of its arts, culture and heritage to its own residents.

Islington’s bid for London Borough of Culture will help make Islington a fairer place to live, strengthening the role that culture can play in improving educational and employment opportunities that in turn reduce inequality.

We are looking for exciting and unusual proposals to help make an extraordinary year of culture, from local projects in community centres to year-long, borough-wide programmes of activity. So if you have an idea, share it!