On 23rd March, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, launched Culture Seeds – a new £1million micro-grant programme which will bring bright ideas to life by supporting creativity in all of London’s communities. Culture Seeds was launched on the same day as the Mayor publishes his draft Culture Strategy – Culture for All Londoners. Khan's strategy lays out a bold vision to sustain London’s position as a global capital of culture, while also ensuring that all Londoners have access to culture on their doorstep.
Culture brings communities together and helps create a strong sense of identity. Culture Seeds will support grassroots organisations, artists and creatives with up to £5,000 to make their ideas a reality. Culture Seeds will reach communities who don’t ordinarily access grant funding, especially individuals and smaller grassroots organisations working locally. Successful applicants will receive support from City Hall and will be invited to join the Culture Seeds Network to help them make the most of their project.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said,“London is overflowing with talent and imagination. Thousands of artists have made the capital their home and their creative influence is felt in all corners of the city. However, I know how difficult it can be for emerging artists and small creative organisations to get quick access to funding to support some amazing grassroots cultural activity in communities around the city. That’s why I’m launching Culture Seeds and calling on all Londoners to let us know how a small grant could make a big difference in your neighbourhood. From kickstarting a new arts festival, to funding a pop-up cinema screening in your local park – the possibilities are endless.”
He continued, “I have invested more in culture than any other Mayor because I believe in its transformative power. I will continue to support culture and the creative industries and today’s draft strategy sets out an ambitious plan to keep London at the top of its creative game.”
Khan visited Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) with Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, Justine Simons, to launch the programme and take a tour of the newly-refurbished building. The tour included the Grand Hall which reopens in September, after a fire in 2015, and the new Scratch Hub - a co-working space for up to 150 start-up enterprises. He also watched performances from Battersea Community Choir and BAC Beatbox Academy.
