Ealing Council is one of nine boroughs in the capital bidding for the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture award for 2025 or 2027, the Mayor of London has announced.
Ealing is up against Barnet, Greenwich, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Havering, Merton, Newham, Wandsworth for the award which celebrates creativity and character of London boroughs.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has said of London Borough of Culture which launched in 2017: “Culture has the power to transform communities and to bring people closer together. Now, more than ever, there is a pressing need to reach out to our neighbours and celebrate London’s unique and diverse culture. London Borough of Culture is a great way to do just that whilst showing the world that our cultural gems extend way beyond the centre of the capital to all corners of the city.”
The two winning boroughs will each be awarded £1.35 million to deliver their programme of events which is about “placing culture at the heart of their communities and celebrating the unique character of local people and places.”
Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, Justine Simons OBE, said: “I’m super excited to see such a positive reaction to the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture award. It shows that across London, our boroughs recognise the importance of culture and believe in the value it brings to communities. We’re looking forward to announcing the winners next year.
Ms Simons added: “Every corner of London has a different story which our incredible artists, musicians and performers will reveal. The award is a brilliant opportunity for our boroughs to show the rest of the capital what’s special about them, while making culture available to all as we build a better London for everyone.”
From rock to bhangra and from filmmaking to art, Ealing has a rich history of culture throughout its seven towns.
In a statement, Councillor Peter Mason, leader of Ealing Council, said: “Our bid will galvanise, energise and maybe even revolutionise our cultural grassroots, creating a diverse, relevant and sustainable new cultural heritage for the future. We want residents to be front and centre of cultural life in Ealing, and to work with us to develop a cultural hub in each of our 7 towns.”
Councillor Polly Knewstub, cabinet member for thriving communities, said: “Becoming London’s Borough of Culture would help us create a cultural legacy in Ealing. Not only would it be a year of fabulous events, it would mean we can support our cultural organisations and creative businesses to build their resilience for the future.”
Councillor Knewstub added: “We really want to involve everyone – already we are getting brilliant ideas from the many residents, local artists and community organisations who have responded to our call for support – so keep them coming!”
Support from creatives, organisations and residents across Ealing is growing.
Dame Judi Dench, president of The Questors Theatre in Ealing said: “The commitment of Ealing Council to encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to be creative has created a truly inspiring cultural manifesto through the input of thousands of local people and organisations.”
Dame Judi added: “Ealing’s ambitious bid to be London Borough of Culture will transform and promote arts, music and culture across the 7 towns of the borough and create a lasting legacy. At the heart of this will be the enjoyment of people working together and creating transformative opportunities for residents, across all ages and all communities.”
Residents can show support and also submit ideas of what they want to see in the Ealing bid by visiting: ealing2025.org
The Mayor of London will announce the winning bids on 11 March 2024.
