Six Croydon cultural organisations have been awarded a massive combined £4.8m in funding, as the Arts Council looks to support outer London boroughs over the next three years.
The national development agency for creativity and culture has focused on outer London boroughs as part of their wider programme for the capital. Beginning in 2023, this new funding coincides with Croydon’s year as London Borough of Culture – both of which will deliver fantastic, fulfilling, and accessible art and culture to local residents.
New funding will boost six Croydon organisations already doing amazing work in their communities, helping them to showcase the borough’s creative talent throughout the London Borough of Culture 2023 and beyond.
All the successful projects operate with a common goal to widen access to culture and use the arts to create conversation and engagement around important issues.
For example, Talawa Theatre Company’s ongoing championing of black excellence in theatre – nurturing upcoming talent and reflecting the lived experiences of those with African and Caribbean heritage. Boundless Theatre is another organisation using their performances to promote conversations, looking to engage Croydon’s young people in important issues such as voting and democracy.
The other successful Croydon organisations are; the Stanley Arts cultural hub and venue in South Norwood, Turf Projects’ exhibition and studio space at the Whitgift Centre, Zoo Co’s work to provide cultural education to deaf, disabled, and neurodiverse Croydon young-people, and Eye Music Trust’s performances linking colour, light, space, and environment.
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, said: “We are now just months away from Croydon’s year as London Borough of Culture, set to launch in April 2023. Arts Council funding for six of Croydon’s active cultural organisations is going to help even more residents access arts and performances right on their doorsteps – both throughout 2023 and the coming years. Croydon’s cultural pull is not to be underestimated and it’s time for us to come together and showcase the talent we have and be proud of our borough!”
Rob Drummer, Artistic Director & CEO, Boundless Theatre: “We’re incredibly proud to be based in London’s largest youth borough and our Arts Council England funding is going to directly resource our work with teenagers and young adults across Croydon. Throughout the London Borough of Culture year in 2023 we’ll be co-creating our largest-scale work to date with 15- to 25-year-olds and continuing to connect young people from diverse backgrounds to culture and creative opportunities through the Boundless Drama Club.”
Photo: Boundless Theatre, Credit – Jane Hobson
