Last year was a challenging year for a lot of people. As 2016 has come to a close, we thought we would reflect on some of the people who have inspired us and projects at Battersea Arts Centre which have taken a creative risk. Now as we start afresh in 2017, our thoughts are with those everywhere, who are seeking to create a better future.
Not for me, not for you, but for us
We have been inspired by the Royal and Derngate in Northampton who are shaping plans for a new arts-led secondary school. By the Fun Palace movement enabling hundreds of grassroots projects led by local communities. By 64 Million Artists asking everyone in Britain to sign up to their January creative challenge. By The Agency in Manchester and Battersea leading change in their communities. By Agents of Creative Change who are using creativity to tackle real challenges.
Creating space for everyone
We have been inspired by Haworth Tompkins who are architects with a difference. They’re up for sharing the authorship of the buildings they create and we are very grateful for the careful, sensitive way they have gone about reshaping Battersea’s former Town Hall, opening it up as an accessible space. By the four artists from outside London who have designed eight bedrooms for visiting companies. By the couples who have tied the knot here for the first time since the fire and by everyone who has continued to stand with us as we work towards re-opening the Grand Hall in 2018.
People came together for London Stories: Made By Migrants
We have been inspired by the storytellers who shared their powerful true stories of coming to London and making a home, including 10 amazing Homegrowners, in this new BAC Moving Museum project. It is because of them that the show was chosen as one of the Observer’s top 10 shows of 2016 and raised over £2000 for the South London Refugee Association. We look forward to continuing our journey with the storytellers in 2017, including a film of London Stories.
Artists on the small screen
We have been inspired by Jeremy Deller and his brilliant film for BBC4 describing the We Are Here project. By Kate Tempest and her incredible new epic poem, story, album and uproar, Let Them Eat Chaos. By all the artists who are planning new digital collaborations for Performance Live working with BBC and Arts Council England. By our very own Beatbox Academy who soared to new heights on Gareth Malone’s The Choir.
Creative risks around the country
We have been inspired by producers in Medway, Wigan and Peterborough who joined the Collaborative Touring Network with Gloucester, Darlington, Hull, Thanet and Torbay, delivering year-round cultural programmes. By six Creative Museums who have creatively involved their visitors and local communities in bringing their collections to life. By everyone everywhere who has been working to highlight that, together, we have #MoreInCommon.