2009 research and mapping for London Events Forum (LEF) and for Arts Council England Outdoor arts events and activity in London Final report: May 2010 Arts Council England working in partnership with the London Events Forum commissioned this research and mapping. Freelance event managers and consultants Annie Grundy and Sarah Morton carried it out in consultation with Arts Council England and the steering committee of the London Events Forum, with support from the London Cultural Improvement Programme. Outdoor arts events and activity in London Contents 4 Foreword on behalf of London Events Forum by Paul Cowell 5 Foreword on behalf of Arts Council England by Clive Lyttle 7 Introduction 9 Assessment of themes with recommendations: 9 Outdoor events matter 10 Outdoor arts events and activity 12 Strategies, monitoring and aspirations 14 Funding for outdoor arts events and activity 17 Support for outdoor arts events and activity 17 Processes for outdoor arts events and activity 20 Communications, marketing and partnerships 22 Staffing 23 Conclusion Contents continued page 3 2009 research and mapping for London Events Forum (LEF) CONTENTS 2 Contents continued Appendices 24 Outdoor arts events and outdoor events that include the arts: a list of the events in the London boroughs and in the City of London identified through the research 28 Local authority profile reports plus the City of London Corporation report 28 Barking and Dagenham 34 Barnet 38 Bexley 42 Brent 47 Camden 52 City of London Corporation 57 Croydon 60 Ealing 64 Enfield 69 Greenwich 73 Hackney 79 Hammersmith and Fulham 85 Haringey 89 Harrow 93 Hillingdon 97 Hounslow 100 Islington 105 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea 108 Royal Borough of Kingston 111 Lambeth 115 Lewisham 119 Merton 123 Newham 126 Redbridge 129 Richmond 133 Southwark 139 Sutton 142 Tower Hamlets 145 Waltham Forest 148 Wandsworth 151 City of Westminster 155 Process maps: examples of how applications for events in outdoor spaces are processed 161 Local authority key information 165 Main contacts for outdoor arts events in the London boroughs 2009 research and mapping for London Events Forum (LEF) CONTENTS 3 Foreword on behalf of London Events Forum by Paul Cowell ondon has a long tradition of producing This research takes a snapshot of life today and world-class festivals and cultural events that looks at how we, the London boroughs, might Lgain national and international recognition. move forward strategically and pragmatically, to From Notting Hill Carnival to Carnaval del ensure that, as we work both individually and Pueblo, A Baishakhi Mela to Dagenham Town together, we build on the diverse array of Show, whether it is on a housing estate, on existing creative, fun and safe events and move public roads or in a local park, the 32 London towards London 2012, with the capacity and boroughs and the City of London support skills to deliver world-class events that meet and thousands of festivals and cultural events exceed the standards we set. bringing together millions of people, playing an important part in creating a dynamic and London Events Forum (LEF) and its partners are exciting world city. working to raise the profile of the important work of local government events professionals London Events Forum (LEF) was formed in in London: developing ways to improve current October 2008 to provide an improvement processes, developing skills, supporting peers network for event professionals working within and creating new ways of working that will local government across London. It was clear facilitate more outdoor arts events across from the outset that different boroughs had London. A series of projects have been planned different approaches to the management and in a two-year programme, of which this piece of coordination of festivals and events, and research is the first. different perceptions of their contribution in a wider cultural and social context. We would like to thank the Arts Council England, the London Culture Improvement Festivals and events can make a major impact on Programme and Capital Ambition (London’s the agendas of community cohesion and well- Regional Improvement and Efficiency being. Participation broadens horizons, Partnership) for their invaluable support, and of increases life chances, taps potential, realises course all the local authority officers who have aspirations, improves educational attainment given up their time to support and advise on the and contributes to health through feelings of entire programme. self-worth and well-being. Events create vibrant public spaces, bring positive economic benefits and improve reputations...all this and yet, in most cases, there is still relatively little or no investment in resources and skills to support the Paul Cowell increasing number of festivals and events and Events, Film and 2012 Manager the impact on workloads. Southwark Council 2009 research and mapping for London Events Forum (LEF) FOREWORD ON BEHALF OF LONDON EVENTS FORUM 4 Arts Council England ‘We believe that the arts have the power to n June 2008 Arts Council England launched change lives and communities and that outdoor New Landscapes, a plan for the development arts of all types have a particular ability to Iof high-quality outdoor arts activity across England, to include both performance and engage, inform and entertain audiences that visual arts based work. might not otherwise attend an arts event.’ New Landscapes June 2008 New Landscapes made a number of recommendations about understanding and improving the working environment for outdoor arts, building a clearer picture of working practices, and increasing the longer- term sustainability of the sector. It recognised the unique and crucial role of local authorities, as supporters, funders, licensors and promoters of outdoor arts events and activity. The Mayor of London’s cultural strategy direction of travel document, Cultural metropolis has also acknowledged the importance of this sector to the capital, and the opportunities to strengthen London’s festivals and outdoor events, particularly in the context of the Cultural Olympiad and London’s 2012 legacy ambitions. Arts Council England established an external advisory group to oversee the implementation of New Landscapes in London, with representation from local authorities, Greater London Authority (GLA), London Events Forum (LEF), and arts organisations working in the sector. This group identified variations in how outdoor events are currently supported by London’s local authorities, and an often complex set of contacts and permissions that organisers The audience at the Carnaval del Pueblo Parade, Elephant & were required to navigate before putting on an Castle, August 2006 Photo: vividphotography.co.uk event. There was a clear consensus about the need to remove barriers and extend good practice in this area. Arts Council England, in partnership with the London Events Forum, therefore commissioned this research and mapping of current 2009 research and mapping for London Events Forum (LEF) ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND 5 approaches to supporting outdoor arts events Arts Council England is pleased to support this among London’s local authorities. As part of the report and the work of the London Events London Cultural Improvement Programme, Forum as part of the London Cultural further funding from Capital Ambition has been Improvement Programme (LCIP). This research secured to take forward key recommendations provides a solid starting point to develop good rising from this research, and to support London practice and share experience between local Events Forum in our shared objective to improve authorities. There exists a wealth of knowledge efficiencies and processes of staging outdoor and expertise in event production within the arts events across London. boroughs and this document provides a chance to review and share this. London has a great reputation in producing outdoor arts events. These range from events This research will also inform the next stages of such as the Lewisham’s Peoples show, the LCIP Events Improvement programme, highlighting local and national talent, to The including the development of a London-wide Sultans Elephant and Notting Hill Carnival. events toolkit, outlining key processes and an Events such as these have a great ability to agreed set of principles, standards and engage and empower audiences and are often guidelines to help organisers deliver successful, the first chance for people to enjoy arts safe and high-quality outdoor arts events in activities. London boroughs. This report looks at how the London boroughs We would like to thank everyone for their input support and present outdoor events. There is a into this research and look forward to continued range of knowledge within each borough and working with London Events Forum, and the different approaches to supporting event London Culture Improvement Programme to production: for example, London Notting Hill increase the opportunity for people to engage Carnival event production sits within the waste with great art in London’s open spaces. management department of Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, due to the impact the Clive Lyttle event has on litter. Arts Council England 2009 research and mapping for London Events Forum (LEF) ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND 6 Introduction Introduction Methodology Arts Council England, in partnership with the The methodology for this research included: London Events Forum, commissioned this research into current approaches to supporting • collating