The Next Generation project will see Lambeth Council work alongside key cultural institutions in the borough to provide skills, jobs and opportunities for young people and those underrepresented in the cultural workforce.
Lambeth will be given £200,000 to deliver the project.
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Lib Peck, Leader of Lambeth Council, said: “I’m delighted that our key project was picked out as one of the exemplary project winners.
“The Next Generation project will increase participation, and deliver cultural opportunities for people who may not feel able to access all the wonderful culture Lambeth, and London, has to offer.
“It will empower people, develop skills, provide jobs and, I’m confident, inspire a new generation of cultural leaders – one that is more diverse and representative of our wonderful communities.
“While Lambeth isn’t the official Borough of Culture, we will continue to work together with all our cultural organisations, big and small, to be a beacon of cultural brilliance and aspire to deliver as many parts of our bid as possible.”
The project aims include:
- Expanding the radical ‘ERIC’ careers fair, designed for young people, by young people that engages hundreds of creative companies and showcases the best in young cultural talent in Lambeth
- Supporting 25 people from groups underrepresented in the cultural workplace to become Lambeth’s cultural leaders of the future
- Working with the Southbank Centre, BFI, National Theatre and Rambert to develop curriculum modules for Lambeth primary schools focusing on buildings and location, a new Lambeth Cultural Trail and learning tools
- The Old Vic theatre working with five cultural organisations across different art forms to support 30 new paid placements, including for people not in education, training or employment
- The Southbank Centre producing a WOW Girls project in five locations across the borough to support girls aged 16 to 18 interested in cultural careers to make changes in their own communities
- Development of a new ‘lab’ for BAME artists backed by Creative Skillset and B3 Media TalentLab, improving commercial and digital skills and gaining industry contacts
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m delighted that Lambeth has been awarded funding to support a project that will help more young people from across the borough develop careers in the arts. Projects like this will ensure London remains a global capital of culture, by developing the next generation of cultural leaders.”
The Mayor’s Cultural Impact award announcement came during the London Borough of Culture ceremony at City Hall this morning, where the Mayor named Waltham Forest and Brent as the London Boroughs of Culture in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Barking & Dagenham, Camden, Kingston, Lewisham and Merton were also named as ‘Cultural Impact’ award winners.
Lambeth will continue to work with the over 70 supporting organisations who backed the OurLambeth bid in order to deliver some of the other projects outlined in the bid document.
Creative & Digital growth
Later next month, Lambeth Council will also publish its first ever Creative & Digital Industries Growth Strategy for the borough. The Strategy will identify opportunities and threats, benefits of growth for residents and set out how the council and partners can encourage and support these dynamic sectors. This will provide the foundation and commitment to make Lambeth the next destination and, in time, leader for London’s creative and digital economy.
