ArtsTrain partners with Bexley Culture Network
We’re proud to announce that we’ve joined forces with 16 other local cultural organisations to form the Bexley Culture Network. The coalition looks to develop a wide-ranging cultural programme for the borough’s 60th anniversary in 2025. Ahead of the celebrations we’re calling for other local creative groups to join us!
Our Network is made up of cultural organisations with a strong commitment to making positive change across Bexley’s neighbourhoods through arts, crafts and culture. It includes community-led organisations, charities, and cultural groups. We’ve kicked off our activity by setting out our manifesto, a pledge to work collaborate, share learning and create diverse and inclusive cultural work.
Over the coming months, the Network will meet quarterly to map out a series of high- quality events and activities for 2025 which will celebrate the heritage of the borough, highlighting each of its six town centres. Championing democracy, the group will be chaired by different member organisations on a yearly basis, and will meet quarterly in different cultural venues throughout Bexley.
The Cultural Manifesto sets out five key principles:
Arts, Crafts, and Culture to make a positive change – by boosting personal confidence and wellbeing, creating connections and understanding within communities, the network will transform the places in which we live.
Creativity in Bexley – by working with people, communities, artists, and organisations the network will grow and showcase ambitious arts, craft, local creativity and world class culture.
Community-led culture – local people will be empowered to decide on and make culture in their communities. Their contributions to the creative and cultural life in Bexley will be valued.
Working together – so that the impact the network has through collaboration is so much greater than working alone.
Diversity of voice and experience – by supporting a culture that is diverse and inclusive the network will champion and make visible culture in Bexley so that it is representative of the many voices, identities, experiences of people who live here.
To find out more about the Bexley Cultural Network and how to join, contact: ThamesmeadNow@peabody.org.uk
Current members include ArtsTrain, Bexley Music, Bow Arts, Centrepieces, The Crossness Engines Trust, Erith Town Partnership, The Exchange in Erith, Greenwich Dance, Lesnes Abbey Woods, Little Fish Theatre Company, London Borough of Bexley, London College of Performing Arts, Peabody, Red House, National Trust, Rose Bruford College, Three Rivers, TACO!
Download the Bexley Culture Network map as a PDF, and explore the links to each of the organisations in the Network.
We look forward to sharing more in the coming months – watch this space!