Create exists to explore the ways artists can contribute to the lives of people in cities. We help artists to connect more closely with communities through an ambitious programme of projects. Our work is primarily focused in east London, home to more artists and art organisations than anywhere in Europe, and one of the most economically deprived parts of the UK: most of our beneficiaries are from diverse communities who are culturally unengaged.
We believe that art can make a positive contribution to people’s daily lives. Working in the public realm, outside of traditional cultural spaces, our work with artists and institutions cultivates the aspirations of communities in east London. We commission and produce multi-disciplinary projects that extend the possibilities of art responding to social contexts. Our work bridges the barriers of class, culture and education that separate artists and communities.
Create London came out of the Growth Boroughs’ Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF). The overarching aim of the SRF, described as ’Convergence’, is to bring the overall living standards in east London up to the same as those in the rest of London over the next 20 years. Initially Create used arts practice to achieve objectives around tourism, social cohesion and public realm improvements but with ambitions greater than this we have learnt and demonstrated that we can use our arts practice to have significant impact on reducing poverty, supporting healthier lifestyles and building successful neighbourhoods.
